USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR I

[SOURCES]
Which sentence describes the experiences of African-American soldiers during World War I?

(A) Due to racial prejudices they were unable to engage in combat

(B) They were treated as equals, with many attaining high ranking commands

(C) They proved their bravery fighting in desegregated unit all over France

(D) ** They were segregated but many engaged in combat under French command

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Black draftees were treated with extreme hostility when they arrived for training. White men refused to salute black officers and black officers were often barred from the officer’s clubs and quarters. The War Department rarely interceded, and discrimination was usually overlooked or sometimes condoned.

Concept note-2: -He described relations between the French and their African-American counterparts as generally good. French officers befriended African-American troops and officers, while the noncommissioned officers “treated our boys with all the courtesy and comradeship that could be expected.”

Concept note-3: -Arguably the most profound effect of World War I on African Americans was the acceleration of the multi-decade mass movement of black, southern rural farm laborers northward and westward to cities in search of higher wages in industrial jobs and better social and political opportunities.

Concept note-4: -The service of African-Americans in the military had dramatic implications for African-Americans. Black soldiers faced systemic racial discrimination in the army and endured virulent hostility upon returning to their homes at the end of the war.