Jobs of Black Soldiers in World War 2 Research Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 3401 words ( 11 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 7

Page 1 of 11

Treatment of African Americans During WWI & WWIIIntroductionThroughout World War I and World War II, African Americans faced profound challenges and discrimination both in the military and on the home front. Despite their unwavering commitment to serving their country, they were subjected to systemic racism and segregation that shaped their experiences and contributions during these conflicts. This paper examines the treatment of African Americans during these pivotal periods, drawing on various academic sources to provide a detailed understanding of their struggles and resilience.The Context of World War IThe participation of African Americans in World War I was marked by a glaring paradox: they were called to defend freedom abroad while being denied basic civil rights at home. The military draft included African Americans, which was a contentious issue given their second-class citizenship status.[footnoteRef:1] This inclusion was a double-edged sword: it provided an opportunity to serve and prove their loyalty to the nation, yet it exposed them to the systemic racism embedded within the military and the nation.[footnoteRef:2] [1: Lentz-Smith, A. D. Freedom Struggles: African Americans and World War I. Harvard University Press, 2009.] [2: Lentz-Smith, A. D. Freedom Struggles: African Americans and World War I. Harvard University Press, 2009.]Despite the promise of equal treatment under the Selective Service Act, African American soldiers were predominantly assigned to labor units rather than combat roles. They were often relegated to constructing trenches, working in supply units, and performing other support roles that were crucial yet undervalued. This segregation was not just a reflection of military policy but also of the prevailing social norms that viewed African Americans as unfit for combat duty or leadership roles.Jordan\'s research further explores this dilemma faced by African American soldiers who had to undergo the twin pressures of contributing to the war effort and confronting the racial prejudices that permeated military life.[footnoteRef:3] The military environment was a microcosm of the broader social racism, with black soldiers frequently encountering segregation in barracks, dining facilities, and transportation. Their uniforms did not shield them from racial slurs or systemic inequalities. Some resisted racism when they could. The creation of the NAACP’s wartime magazine, The Crisis, became a helpful platform for voicing the injustices faced by black soldiers and mobilizing support for their cause.[footnoteRef:4] Compliance was often strategic, aimed at challenging the very structure that oppressed them by proving their worth and dedication as soldiers.

Stuck Writing Your "Jobs of Black Soldiers in World War 2" Research Paper?

View All Our Example Jobs of Black Soldiers in World War 2 Research Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

This strategic accommodation can be seen as a tactical choice in the long-term struggle for civil rights that set the stage for further advocacy and reform in the decades that followed.[footnoteRef:5] [3: Jordan, W. “The Damnable Dilemma”: African-American Accommodation and Protest During World War I. In Race and US Foreign Policy from 1900 Through World War II, 76-97. Routledge, 2020.] [4: Lentz-Smith, A. D. Freedom Struggles: African Americans and World War I. Harvard University Press, 2009.] [5: Jordan, W. “The Damnable Dilemma”: African-American Accommodation and Protest During World War I. In Race and US Foreign Policy from 1900 Through World War II, 76-97. Routledge, 2020.]Experiences in World War IITransitioning to World War II, the circumstances for African Americans saw some evolution yet were still deeply entrenched in racial bias. Black soldiers basically fought two wars: one against external enemies and the other against racism.[footnoteRef:6] This dual struggle represented the African American experience during WWII, where the fight for democracy overseas was juxtaposed with a continuous battle for equality at home. The problem of racism at home in America was often commented on by other leaders, such as Hitler and Stalin, who wanted to assert their moral superiority to the Americans.[footnoteRef:7] [6: Delmont, M. F. Half American: The…

[…… parts of this paper are missing, click here to view the entire document ]

…environments of civil rights protests.ConclusionThroughout the turbulent times of World War I and World War II, African Americans faced profound challenges and adversities, not only from the external enemies but from the deeply entrenched racism within their own ranks and homeland. Despite being subjected to systemic segregation and discrimination, African Americans showed exceptional courage, resilience, spirit, determination, and a commitment to service that transcended the harsh realities of their treatment. From serving in segregated units and being relegated to support roles to emerging as advocates in the civil rights movement, their experiences shaped and altered American history......

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Jobs Of Black Soldiers In World War 2" (2024, April 21) Retrieved June 27, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/jobs-black-soldiers-world-war-2-2180749

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Jobs Of Black Soldiers In World War 2" 21 April 2024. Web.27 June. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/jobs-black-soldiers-world-war-2-2180749>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Jobs Of Black Soldiers In World War 2", 21 April 2024, Accessed.27 June. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/jobs-black-soldiers-world-war-2-2180749
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example