World War I began in 1914, though the United States did not join until 1917 when it needed larger forces. Over 2 million African Americans registered for the draft during World War I, with 367,000 called into service both stateside and overseas. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People advocated for equal treatment of African American soldiers during World War I and worked to boost their morale. Despite facing discrimination, African American units such as the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Harlem Hellfighters", served with distinction in Europe.

2.  WWI broke out in 1914
 America was slow in joining war
 Needed much larger forces

3.  Congress passed in 1917
 No racial restrictions
 2,290,525 blacks registered
 367,000 were called into service

4.  Founded in 1909 but William English Walling
 Its mission was to secure civil and political equality for
the African Americans.
 W.E.B. Du Bois was the only
African American officer from
1910-1917.

5.  appointed to the position of “confidential advisor in
matters affecting the interests of the ten million
Negros of the United States and the part they are to
play in connection with the present
war.”
 Worked to keep Selective Service
Equal
 Worked to raise morale of African
Americans

6.  So many opportunities :
 veterinary corps
 Sanitary
 Ammunition trains
 Ambulance corps
 Hospital corps
 Calvary
 Infantry
 Engineer corps
 Judge advocators
 Chemists
 clerks

7.  7 total
 Camp Grant in
Illinois
 Camp Upton in Yaphank
• Composed of
14 units of soldiers

8.  Name calling
 Blacks worked in difficult conditions
 Could not go out and have fun

9.  17 whites killed
• 13 black soldiers hung
• 41 imprisoned for life
War department
decides to order the
regiment overseas

10.  369th U.S. infantry
(“Harlem Hellfighters”)
 German Propaganda
 Troops returned home
to celebrations and parades

11.  New opportunities
 purchased more than $250 million in bonds & stamps
 National association of black women reported more than $5
million of bonds were bought by black women
 Blacks supported fundraisers
 More jobs for women
 Many clashes in the north and south went on