What was true about African Americans in the military?

frican Americans have participated in every major U.S. military conflict from the Revolutionary War onward, but their contributions were often overlooked, and their service was marked by a long history of discrimination and segregation.

During the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, African Americans served on both the American and British sides, with the British at times promising freedom to slaves who would leave their American masters to fight. In the Civil War, African-American soldiers fought largely in segregated units—most notably the Union Army's United States Colored Troops (USCT). They played a significant role, but often faced discrimination, lower pay, and harsher treatment compared to their white counterparts.

In World War I and World War II, African Americans served in segregated units. The Harlem Hellfighters, a famous African American unit of World War I, demonstrated exceptional valor in battle. However, despite their service, African American veterans returned to a society that still practiced Jim Crow laws and discrimination.

The situation began to change significantly after World War II. President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 in 1948, which began the process of desegregating the armed forces—though it would take years to fully implement. The Korean War was the first conflict where American troops fought in fully integrated units.

African Americans' military service helped to pave the way for the Civil Rights Movement by highlighting the contradiction between fighting for freedom abroad while being denied rights at home. Their experiences also helped to galvanize the African American community in the push for civil rights and social justice.