African Americans During Ww2 Essay

Enrollment began in September of 1862 (Allen 225). Thousands of black men enlisted. They would be commanded, led, and trained by all white officers. There were not to be any black officers commissioned and all African American soldiers were to be regarded as laborers. They would receive less pay than a white soldier. Instead of $13 plus clothing expenses, they would only receive $10 without clothing expenses (The American Civil War: A Multicultural Encyclopedia 55).

Black initially began enrolling in the military on June 1, 1942. More than over two million African American men enlisted in the military draft, and African American ladies volunteered their administrations in the war. Amid the war, Black enrollment was at an unsurpassed

For centuries African American have been struggled against racial in America. During World War II the U.S. government asked for volunteers to join the army of defense, over 2.5 million of black men registered for the draft World, around 1 million served as draftees or volunteers in the armed forces within all branches. But didn’t received the same opportunity to serve in the same manner as white soldiers. They were to segregated combat support groups. In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt and civil rights organizations pressured U.S Navy to recruited blacks for service.

The non-combat roles were nurses, cooks, blacksmiths, spies and scouts. Eventually over time they were allowed to participate in the combat roles. The African-American soldiers served in the Confederate Army and others would be brought along by their masters to help their masters and see what they need in camp’s. During the midpoint of the war in the year, 1863, more Confederate soldiers were needed, so state militias of freed black men were offered to the Confederate war but the office refused.

Before WORLD WAR I, military service represented a source of black pride. Black educators, clergymen, and the press frequently referred to Negro heroes of America’s past wars. After the Civil War, the U.S, Army maintained four regular Negro regiments –the 9th and 10th Calvary and the 24th and 25th Infantry. These units included veterans of the civil war and the frontier Indian fighting regiments. Retired sergeants often became respected, conservative leaders in their communities. This history set a foundation for black support and involvement in America’s future wars.

The postwar period starting in 1945 was a time of economic boom and a shared sense of unity in the United States, or so it seemed. Although the unemployment rate was zero percent women and African American workers were becoming increasingly unhappy with their roles in the American post-war economy. Employment of women in America was at an all-time high reaching 19 million by 1945. However, the traditional gender roles between men and women created tension after the war due to women’s push for opportunity outside of their typical roles at home. In the post-war period, African American workers were still feeling a sense of segregation and inequality in the workforce. They were usually the last to be hired, especially African American women,

In the short film, “The Negro Soldier,” the whole focus was to get African Americans to join the military. With the use of propaganda, the U.S. government hoped to promote getting African Americans to want to fight for their country. It hoped to instill patriotism in them. It showed that Germany and the Nazis had no respect for them and considered them the scum of the earth. It also portrayed them being accepted as equals into the American society. It was used to make them think they were wanted and play a major role in the success of the war against germany. And to ultimately make Germany and the Nazis look like the bad guys (destroying their monuments) instead of the racist America they lived in. It also portrayed African American soldiers prior contributions in previously fought wars as pivotal moments in American history. It made it seem like they were the reason for those victories. It also explained how the African American soldiers were honored with tributes, memorials, medals and parades for their service in the military. In the ongoing WWII, it was said that there were three times the number of African Americans soldiers in WWII than in WWI. Also, many more were getting commissioned and attending West Point and OCS (Officer Candidate School). African American men that were once printers, tailors, entertainers are now soldiers in the Army as gunners, tankers, radio operators, mechanics, quartermasters, and infantrymen. They were now the backbone of

They were even able to take out their enemies fast jet fighters (Reinhardt and Ganzel 1). what is socking about all of this is that these men weren't trained with guns or knives, they had to use sticks instead (Reinhardt and Ganzel 1). With all the racism still going on, one African American man said it would be an iron for him to give America his life if it didn’t want to given him basic civil rights (Reinhardt and Ganzel 2). Second of all after, returning home they were given an opportunity to join a movement for their rights (Reinhardt and Ganzel 2). The Soldier came home to a country that wasn’t granting them their full rights so some joined a movement to expand the rights (Reinhardt and Ganzel 2). Other soldiers ended up moving to the city instead so they could find work similar to what they did while at war (Reinhardt and Ganzel 2). The roles of African American minorities where change after the war because the opportunities of job openings that were given to them and because their civil rights eventually expanded.

Prejudice was also very evident towards African Americans in the Union forces in that they were usually assigned to labor duties, such as cleaning camps, building defenses and garrison duty, and in many cases not allowed to fight. Up until 1864, there was even a difference in pay for black soldiers, and they were not allowed to be commissioned officers.

Despite the racism and segregation in the U.S. military, there were more than 2 and a half million African American men registered with the military draft. More than 1 million served

During American involvement in the war, African Americans were listed and reenlisted on the military draft at higher rates than any other nationalities including whites and Latin-Americans (Westheider 9). As a result, more African Americans than any othe r minority fought and died in combat. In addition, they constantly faced racism. One militant protested forcefully against the unfair conditions: “You should see for yourself how the black man is being treated over here and the ay we are dying. When it comes to rank, we are left out. When it comes to special privileges, we are left out. When it comes to patrols, perataions and so forth, we are first” (Gallagher). According to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., black youths represented an unequal share of early draftees and faced a significantly higher chance of seeing combat. “Rumors abounded that the U.S. government were using the Vietnam War as a form of genocide. Money was being pumped into Vietnam instead of poor black communities in America” (Gallegher).

1917-1918: World War I: In 1917, the United States entered World War I. Despite knowing that freedom to serve their country did not guarantee full participation in American society, thousands of African Americans answered the call to duty through service in the Army. The Army operated under a policy of racial segregation and blacks were commonly relegated to supply and labor jobs.(Military Racial Policy - "Equal Opportunity") There were, however, active black combat units that made notable contributions. 1917: Harlem Hellfighters. On

Although many of the Negro soldiers had proved themselves as very reputable soldiers, the discrimination in pay, and in many other areas, had remained very widespread. According to the notable Militia Act of 1862, all soldiers of any African descent, were to only receive $10.00 a month, plus

The fight against fascism during World War II had also brought to the forefront the contradictions between America’s ideals of democracy and equality and its treatment of racial minorities. (Staff) How can a nation who opposed Hitler’s views and his suppression of other nations when within in the United States freedom was limited for African Americans? The United States Army created separate regiments that where divided by color and imposed a “Caucasian” commanding officer to oversee there activates. Many argued that the treatment African Americans received where no better than the pre-civil war era. This awareness of racism would reach popular culture. Josh Whitea blues musician who wrote songs pointing out the discrimination experienced by

African Americans were discriminated against even though they were serving their country. Like we discussed in class, some African Americans were lynched in public while dressed in their military uniform. Many were severely beaten almost to death. They were treated with no respect. As I looked through my notes I found that African Americans were grouped together in combat and often were given missions that could have been considered suicidal. Although the blacks were treated poorly, it seems that the Japanese Americans got the raw end of the deal during the war.