World War I As I Saw It: The Memoir Of An African American

Blacks fought for the ideals of America in World War I but they did not receive any recognition for their hard work. Instead, they were still put under the “Jim Crow” laws which prohibited them from voting and segregated them from their superior races. This explains the decrease in percentage of eligible voters who vote from 1900 to 1920.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new na-tion, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” a quote by America’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, directly recalling how equality was the catalyst for the conception of America. It’s a universal right that should be known by all, but it was barely an option in our country for the African American faction almost a century ago. Chained, chastised and condemned, the African American had to surpass through radical odds to get to a mediocre amount of respect. When World War I first began, many citizens of America saw it as a seemingly distant European conflict that they couldn’t be bothered with.

Anthony J. Mitchell Summer 2002 U.S. Since 1865 History 2063 AFRICAIN AMERICAINS IN WORLD WAR I 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.

This paper will go on to describe the direct impact of the Great War on all African American migration, military service, and political protest. These three things would have combined to make the years of the Great War a major impact on African American history. When war first erupted in Europe in August of 1914, most Americans - African Americans included - did not see a reason for the United States to get involved, many viewing the bloodshed as petty in the activities of their everyday lives. This belief of neutrality amongst the people would only grow stronger as stalemates ensued, and death rates climbed higher. As the war raged on, the Black press would aim its papers to side with the French, because of their continued commitment for racial equality, as well as, their employment of African soldiers in their military. When the United States entered the war, it would have a great impact on many African Americans, particularly the many men, women, and children who embarked on the Great Migration - the largest movement of people in American history.

African-Americans have fought on many of liberty’s battlefields from the pre-emancipated plantation to the killing fields of the Civil War. African-Americans have always been willing to fight not just for their freedom, but for their country as well. Yet, their country never lived up to its founding document

I read the article, “World War I as I Saw it: The Memoir of an African American Soldier.” This article consists of a memoir written by Bruce Wright and an introduction written by his grandchildren, Tracey Spencer and James Spencer. This article was published in the Massachusetts Historical Review in

As war spread across Europe in 1914-1918, black Americans saw a second opportunity in which they could use the war to their advantage, in securing the respect of their white neighbours. This contemporary conflict brought about great controversy within the black community, being asked to fight for a democracy on

In the 1930’s the world was entering the heated World War ll. The United States was still in the Great Depression and reluctant to join the war. Japan dropped the bomb on Pearl Harbor which ultimately dragged the United States into the war; this in turn opening up mass

African Americans were fighting for freedom for centuries. They were treated very badly and they had supposedly going to have a better way of life after WWII. Keep reading to find out how African Americans struggled for equality in voting and the opportunity for a good

World War II happened when the nation was still racially divided in parts of the United States and many black Sailors only held jobs as cooks in the Navy. There were others who were soldiers but was considered an experiment to see if they had the capabilities to fight like their white counterparts. It was said that approximately 2 million African Americans signed up to fight in WWII and although there was still segregation going on in the military. Many African Americans didn’t see color as obstacle but to fight for a nation who have suffered multiple lives due to an attack from a foreign nation. This was also during the time the Tuskegee Airman was assembled and was one of the most successful air detachments during that time.

Throughout American history, African Americans have had to decide whether they belonged in the United States or if they should go elsewhere. Slavery no doubtfully had a great impact upon their decisions. However, despite their troubles African Americans made a grand contribution and a great impact on both armed forces of the Colonies and British. "The American Negro was a participant as well as a symbol."; (Quarles 7) African Americans were active on and off the battlefield, they personified the goal freedom, the reason for the war being fought by the Colonies and British. The African Americans were stuck in the middle of a war between white people. Their loyalty was not to one side or another, but to a principle, the principle of liberty.

At the sleep away camp that I attended this summer, I was appointed "General" for an all camp activity known as Color War. For four days, the camp is divided into two teams that compete against each other in athletics and other competitive activities. Having been selected out of

Approximately 340,000 African Americans were drafted into the military.(Military Racial Policy - "Equal Opportunity") 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

It wasn't until now that I discovered that working with my peers and collaborating ideas makes everything so much easier. In all my years here at visa I never really liked to share and collaborate so instead I would just do everything on my own and it would be a hassle because I’d struggle. Then Came up a project that I had a really big interest in since my younger years. In my history class we were in the World War 1 unit. This Unit was brought up to my attention by Mr. Dewaele because he knew I wanted to join the military and I was so passionate about this unit because I'd take a camo backpack to school and he would pretend that my backpack wasn't there because it was camoflauge. Mr. Dewaele would rely on me when it would come to military

Dad can you tell me about world war 1,sure i can son your grandpa told me this story when i was your age it was a cool night on august 31, 1915 it was two thirty-five in the morning.my group was tired because two or three people had to stay up to watchguard every hour or two they swap place that way they all got enough sleep.the germans came so fast we didn’t have a lot of time to react to it,(Dad-I remember this part the most because how your grandpa describe it) it was like nonstop fighting for the next four days when it was over it was like a herd of elephants came through and completely destroyed the place.It was the first of september we got word to move to a different location because they wanted to bomb them that way we had a little time to get better,get more ammo,rest,well we bomb them and according to one of my teammates they were expecting it so they blow up the air crafts.