Essay On The Effects Of Ww1 On African Americans

515 Words2 Pages

World War I and its Affect on African Americans World War I (1914-1918), also known as the Great War, is hands down, one of the nations bloodiest, life changing wars of history. Not only was it transformative to the history of America but it became a movement for African American history. However the movement of African American History during WWI saw many disappointments aside opportunities. The affects WWI had on African Americans is often looked past due to the immense cruelty faced in its entirety. But by now, many knew the struggle and strife African Americans faced in American history. World War I sparked the ongoing change for the black community. African Americans encountered migration, joining the militia, and political protest during this war. This was the stepping stone, opening the doors for many opportunities for African Americans. They relocated during the migration because they wanted to escape Southern racism and look for better job opportunities. Black men were sharecroppers, sharecropping allowed black tenants to use the land of the white men in return for a share of the crops produced on their land. Although blacks had better job opportunities they were still faced harsh debt and racial segregation, which in turn became the force to push the rights for African Americans. The 369 Infantry Regiment constituted on June 2, 1918, also known as “The Harlem Hellfighters”, was the first African American regiment to serve during WWI. Most of the regiment were members of the NAACP, making crucial history for the black community. Men were barred from the Navy but over 400,000 men served during the war. Many of the men believed being able to serve in the military would help put an end to racial discrimination against blacks through

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