Chapter 14 In Pursuit of Democracy - PowerPoint Presentation

Chapter 14In Pursuit of Democracy From Slavery to Freedom 9 th ed.

Answering the Call to FightThe Selective Service ActU.S. entered World War I in April 1917Selective Service Act passed in May 1917 with no racial restrictions African Americans disproportionately represented in draft Fewer blacks received exemptions based on marriage, childrenRacism in armed forces undeniableBlack men rejected for officer’s commissions © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2

Answering the Call to FightThe NAACPResponded to “whites-only” policy in the Army’s officer training campsBecame part of organization’s civil rights agendaPushed for establishment of black officers’ training camp Some critical of push for Jim Crow training camps Blacks eventually commissioned starting in Des Moines, Iowa, in October 1917 © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3

Answering the Call to FightEmmett J. ScottAppointed special assistant to Secretary of War; charged with giving advice on matters relating to African Americans in the warUrged equal and impartial application of the Selective Service Act Formulated plans to raise black soldiers’ morale © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4

Jim Crow Military CampsLocating Training CampsTraining of black soldiers in domestic camps problematic because white communities did not want a large number of black men in their midstRampant Discrimination Black troops faced discrimination from the Army and the civil agencies that served it Also faced hostility from white civilians © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 5

Jim Crow Military CampsAfrican Americans Fight BackResponse to riot in Houston in August 1917 enraged African Americans and shook their faith in their governmentBlack Fifteenth New York Infantry mistreated while in training in Spartanburg, South Carolina Prevented from retaliating; eventually sent to Europe, becoming the first contingent of African American troops to reach the Western Front © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 6

Service OverseasThe 369thAfrican American troops among first combat forces to go overseasFrom July1918 on, the 369th saw almost continuous action against the enemyThe 369th first and longest serving regiment assigned to support a foreign army Other African American Combat Units 370th, 371st, 372nd United States infantries all fought valiantly © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 7

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 8 Black American “Buffalo” soldiers of the 367th infantry, 77th Division, in France

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 9 Decoration of African American Soldiers

Service OverseasGerman PropagandaLeafleted black troops of the Ninety-Second Division urging them to desert U.S. Army, promising liberty, democracy, equalitySlander CampaignsBlack troops severely criticized if suffered defeat Became brunt of slander campaigns Cultural Experiences Most combat units had their own band© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11 Lt. James Reese Europe

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12 Women’s war work

Service OverseasYMCA and YWCA in France provided services for black soldiers’ comfortHad better opportunities to move about and socialize in France than in the U.S.Coming HomeSome whites worried that habits developed in France would be detrimental to interracial stability when black troops returned home All troops enthusiastically received upon return © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 13

Service OverseasWilson’s Contradictory PositionsNo African colony, including Germany’s colonies, received independence after warWilson criticized by Du Bois “Has the world forgotten Congo?” In light of continued colonialism, peace rhetoric angered many African American leaders Encounter of African Americans, Caribbeans, and Africans during war fostered dialogue of common oppression and racial destinyPan African Congress held in February 1919 © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 14

On the Home FrontAfrican Americans Support the WarBlacks joined domestic war effortWar bonds; production and conservation of foodCurtailing Civil LibertiesPatriotic fervor led to curtailment of civil liberties and stifling of dissent Silencing Dissent Racism conflated with nationalistic zeal and wartime intolerance Black protest believed to be work of outside saboteurs © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 15

On the Home FrontMany hesitated to articulate nonconformist ideasThose who opposed war came under attackAt same time, black press came into its ownEncouraged blacks to move to industrial centers to find work; protested racist incidents; led fight for integration Black Exodus Thousands of African Americans moved from South into northern cities Both economic reasons and social considerations played role in exodus © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 16

On the Home FrontNew OpportunitiesMigration gave blacks new opportunities in industrial employmentThe National Urban LeagueHelped newly arrived blacks adjust to life in northern industrial cities Employment in Industry African Americans organized several unions In 1917, AFL encouraged workers of all colors to present a common front to industry © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 17

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 18 New Jobs for Women

On the Home FrontRiots and LynchingsOutbreaks of racial injustice damaged morale that was briefly buoyed by stories of black wartime valorFifty-eight African Americans lost their lives to lynchings in 1918Racial clashes in both North and South continued © 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 19