The Evolution of African Americans in the Military
The Evolution of African Americans in the Military
The Evolution of African Americans in the Military
Throughout the history of the United States, citizens of every race and ethnicity have answered the call to duty in order to defend the democratic ideals this great nation was founded upon. More so than any American war, World War II is thought of as the greatest American war, which pitted the “shinning light” of democracy against the looming shadow of the Axis powers which covered all of Europe. While the American victory established the United States as a dominate world power and as a symbol of freedom and democracy, not every American citizen enjoyed freedom and democracy. African Americans were subject to institutional racism in all areas of society including the military. By taking a look at the evolution of War Department policies towards African Americans throughout the War as well as the dedication of black soldiers to their racist country it is apparent that the fight for equality in American society started well before the 1960’s and the civil rights movement.
The evolution of the African American in the military from being treated as second class solider to gaining equal opportunity with white soldiers was a long and arduous process. It came about due to ground breaking legislation in Congress as well as in the executive branch of the U.S. Government. The Selective Service Act of 1940 and Executive Order 9981 which led to the desegregation of the armed forces changed the fate of African Americans in the military for generations to come; but the transition and implementation of legislation was repeatedly contested by all branches of the military. Before looking into the problems that arose in the application of the legislation and its effects on African Americans, it is important to gain a sense of the War Department’s policies prior to the passage of both pieces of legislation. By gaining a true sense of the racism and oppression implemented
The Evolution of African Americans in the Military
Throughout the history of the United States, citizens of every race and ethnicity have answered the call to duty in order to defend the democratic ideals this great nation was founded upon. More so than any American war, World War II is thought of as the greatest American war, which pitted the “shinning light” of democracy against the looming shadow of the Axis powers which covered all of Europe. While the American victory established the United States as a dominate world power and as a symbol of freedom and democracy, not every American citizen enjoyed freedom and democracy. African Americans were subject to institutional racism in all areas of society including the military. By taking a look at the evolution of War Department policies towards African Americans throughout the War as well as the dedication of black soldiers to their racist country it is apparent that the fight for equality in American society started well before the 1960’s and the civil rights movement.
The evolution of the African American in the military from being treated as second class solider to gaining equal opportunity with white soldiers was a long and arduous process. It came about due to ground breaking legislation in Congress as well as in the executive branch of the U.S. Government. The Selective Service Act of 1940 and Executive Order 9981 which led to the desegregation of the armed forces changed the fate of African Americans in the military for generations to come; but the transition and implementation of legislation was repeatedly contested by all branches of the military. Before looking into the problems that arose in the application of the legislation and its effects on African Americans, it is important to gain a sense of the War Department’s policies prior to the passage of both pieces of legislation. By gaining a true sense of the racism and oppression implemented
Bibliography: Class of 1939-40 Committee 1. Subcommittee 2. “Utilization of Manpower” (United States Military Institute) Byers, Jean “A Study of the Negro in Military Service” (Mimeo, 1950) McGuire, Philip Taps for a Jim Crow Army, (Santa Barbra; ABC-Clio, 1983) Motley, Mary The Invisible Soldier (Detroit; Wayne State University Press, 1987) Donald McCoy & Richard Ruetten, Quest and Response; Minority Rights and the Truman Administration, (New York; University Press of Kansas, 1973) Mennell, James “African Americans and the Selective Service Act of 1917” The Journal of Negro History Vol Griffith, Paul Selective Service and the Returning Veteran Journal of Educational Sociology Vol. 18, No. 2 (Oct., 1944), pp. 102-105 Flynn, George Selective Service and American Blacks During World War II The Journal of Negro History, Vol Ansel, Raymond B. “From Segregation to Desegregation: Blacks in the U.S. Army, 1703-1954.” February 1990, 47p. (United States Military History Institute.) Wynn, Neil The Afro-American and the Second World War Dugan, Tim “Change Over Time: Integrating the American Army.” OAH Magazine of History (Spring, 2002) pp.32-36 Lee, Ulysses Kersten, Andrew “African American in World War II” OAH Magazine of History (Spring 2002) pp. 13-18 Silvera, John The Negro in World War II NY: Arno, 1969