Question

This week, we are focusing on World War I and the explosion of violence on a global stage. This is a period of fear, uncertainty, and turmoil that will greatly impact millions of individuals during this period. Consider how this war was interpreted at home and abroad!

Questions to consider: 1. Many argue that many men, notably African American men, fought a war in Europe only to return to a fight at home. Why? What does this mean? 2. Did this war change mindsets at home? Why or why not? Primary Source: Woodrow Wilson Requests War: 1. Why does Wilson argue we need to enter into this conflict? 2. What are the goals and motivations of this declaration for war? 3. What does Wilson hope to achieve by entering into this conflict? DuBois, "Returning Soldiers" 1. According to DuBois, why is America "a shameful land"? 2. Describe DuBois' tone throughout this piece. How does his tone impact his message?

Answer 1

Many argue that many men, notably African American men, fought a war in Europe only to return to a fight at home. Why?

The war in Europe additionally denoted a period of extraordinary possibility for African American men to experience aspects of true democracy. The sense of dignity and pride inspired by these experiences would be a defining moment in the change of African American men upon their return to America. All the while, the war in Europe presented African Americans to blacks from various parts of the world, all whom had their ideas and experiences related to blackness and the significance of the war in Europe on their futures. When the troops returned home from France, the hostilities shown to a great majority of them by numerous whites in the South and in the North affirmed the resistance the changed perspectives that African American soldiers had. By 1919, the violence being unleashed against recently discharged soldiers still in uniform was a clear indicator of the question of full-citizenship rights and privileges for blacks. These men, along with African American women, would become active participants in the liberation process, helping to transform their traditionally marginalized community into an organized and militarized movement for social, economic and political freedom and equality.

What does this mean? Did this war change mindsets at home? Why or why not?

The war did not change the mindset at home because the African Americans were still experiencing difficulties- racial inequality, social injustices and a lack of democracy. There was an obvious, deep gulf between the soaring rhetoric of democracy and racial harmony between the whites and the blacks.

Woodrow Wilson Requests War:

Why does Wilson argue we need to enter into this conflict?

The United States entered the war due to the Germans' choice to continue the arrangement of unrestricted submarine warfare, and the alleged Zimmerman telegram intercepted by the British, in which Germany forged the possibility of an alliance together with Mexico should America support and join the allies. Unrestricted submarine warfare would prompt the sinking of American merchant ships heading for England, and it had been deployed by the Germans before. They had abandoned it in the face of US pressure earlier in the war. Its resumption was enough to cause Woodrow Wilson to renounce his stated position of neutrality of participation in the war

What are the goals and motivations of this declaration for war?

The official stated reason for entering World War I by American leadership was to make the world a freer place. There is no doubt that American patriotism and ideals had an impact on the decision to go to war. The US had no interest in entering World War I in the beginning. The American public and politicians wanted to stay out at first. We can state that the US was urged to enter the conflict by developments that took place in 1914 and 1915.

What does Wilson hope to achieve by entering into this conflict?

US President Wilson hoped to establish world peace through a League of Nations, which became an allied war aim.

Du Bois, "Returning Soldiers"

According to Du Bois, why is America "a shameful land"?

According to him America is a shameful land because it did not treat African American citizen -Negroes, fairly. Despite fighting and dying for their country they were still being lynched, disfranchised, stolen from and insulted by the land which was not an act of democracy yet America had liberated the likes of France.

Describe Du Bois' tone throughout this piece. How does his tone impact his message?

Du Bois uses an agitating tone but not to cause riots but rather to push for the call of democracy that America needs to grant the African American citizens in the land. This is towards relieving them the pressure and injustices that they are facing no matter the role they played in fighting for the land.