Answer to Question #118291 in History for Jourdann

Question

How was the experience of African American soldiers in World War I different from African American soldiers in the Civil War?

Answer 1

During the World War 1, African Americans were eager to join the war in an attempt to show their patriotism with the hopes of being recognized as full citizens. Despite their willingness to enlist, they faced a lot of racial prejudice. They could not join the Marines and were only allocated menial positions in the Navy. The black soldiers did not receive military training.

On the onset of the civil war, the slave masters heavily contested the idea of involving the black people in the war. Black units were not used in combat and were limited to work as cooks, laborers, and teamsters. Black soldiers were paid $10 per month, from which $3 was deducted for clothing unlike their white counterparts who received $12 per month with no deductions made.

African American soldiers faced a lot of racism during the first world war and he civil war.