Attached are two topics learned in class. Use these to help with assignment. In this forum I want you to provide me with your concluding thoughts about the topics you learned during the course. I do n

Did WWI (One) impact African Americans? Did black soldiers serve in the war?

The First World War turned out to be a revolutionary event that shaped the economic, social, and political future of African Americans. Before the war, more than ninety percent of African Americans lived in the Southern United States, where life was quite difficult. In the south were low-wage occupations, African Americans faced constant threats of violence and were subjected to intense discrimination and segregation both in their jobs and housing under the Jim Crow laws. The start of the First World War opened up new job opportunities for African Americans. The demand for soldiers to serve in the war saw thousands of African Americans relocating from the south to join the army, where full-time employment was guaranteed. Additionally, the American Industrial economy rose significantly during World War 1, and many African Americans who migrated from the south were fortunate to secure better-paying jobs, and gained access to improved working conditions.

 First World War also instilled in the African Americans a strong desire to fight for a racially inclusive America (Jami, n.d). A majority of the black soldiers viewed this war as a prime opportunity to not only show their patriotism for their nation, but to also demonstrate their place as equal citizens’ in the country. African Americans who were sent to offer military services overseas got the opportunity to interact with new people (white troops in other foreign lands), and the positive reception they received in new these new lands gave them more motivation to champion for their rights when they got back to their country. This war deepened their commitment to combat white supremacy. Throughout the war, prominent African American leaders worked closely with the government to address the injustices bestowed upon African American soldiers. First World War radicalized very many African Americans (Delaware, n.d). It shaped the course of the African American experience in the twentieth century.

References

Delaware (n.d.). African-American Participation during World War I. Retrieved from https://history.delaware.gov/African-Americans-ww1/

Jami L. Bryan (n.d.). FIGHTING FOR RESPECT: African-American Soldiers in WWI. Retrieved from https://armyhistory.org/fighting-for-respect-african-american-soldiers-in-wwi/