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African Americans in WWI & WWII: Annotated Bibliography

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Abstract

This annotated bibliography compiles ten scholarly sources examining the treatment and experiences of African Americans during World War I and World War II. The sources collectively address military segregation, civil rights activism, personal narratives, and literary traditions tied to the Black wartime experience. Entries span monographs, edited volumes, and academic studies, covering topics such as the dual struggle against fascism abroad and racial injustice at home, protest and accommodation strategies, the role of African American women in military service, and cross-racial solidarity in the civil rights movement. Together, these works provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding how both World Wars shaped African American identity, resistance, and the ongoing fight for equality.

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What makes this paper effective

Each annotation clearly identifies the scope and central argument of its source, giving readers an immediate sense of the work's contribution to the field.
The entries span diverse formats — monographs, edited chapters, letter collections, and institutional histories — demonstrating breadth in primary and secondary source selection.
Annotations consistently connect individual sources to overarching themes such as racial identity, protest, and the paradox of fighting for democracy while experiencing discrimination at home.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The bibliography models effective descriptive and evaluative annotation. Rather than simply summarizing each source, the writer contextualizes each work within the broader scholarly conversation on race, military service, and civil rights — showing how the sources collectively build a multi-dimensional picture of African American wartime experiences.

Structure breakdown

The paper is organized as a standard annotated bibliography with entries listed alphabetically by author's last name. Each entry includes a properly formatted citation followed by a concise annotation of three to four sentences. The annotations address the source's subject matter, methodology or narrative approach, and thematic significance, making the bibliography useful both as a research guide and as a standalone overview of the field.

Introduction

The following annotated bibliography brings together ten scholarly sources examining the treatment and experiences of African Americans during World War I and World War II. The sources address themes including military segregation, civil rights activism, personal narratives, wartime literature, and the dual struggle against racism at home and fascism abroad.

Sources on World War I

Jordan, W. "The Damnable Dilemma": African-American Accommodation and Protest During World War I. In Race and US Foreign Policy from 1900 Through World War II, 76–97. Routledge, 2020.

Jordan's chapter examines the complex strategies of accommodation and protest employed by African Americans during WWI. It addresses the tensions between participating in a segregated military and challenging the racial status quo.

Lentz-Smith, A. D. Freedom Struggles: African Americans and World War I. Harvard University Press, 2009.

Focusing on WWI, Lentz-Smith narrates the pivotal role of African Americans in shaping both the war effort and the post-war struggle for civil rights. The book demonstrates how the war became a crucial battleground for African American freedom and dignity.

Delmont, M. F. Half American: The Heroic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. Penguin, 2024.

Delmont offers an expansive narrative of African Americans' contributions to WWII, both on the front lines and on the home front. The book shines a light on the dual struggle against fascism abroad and racial injustice at home, framing African American soldiers as central figures in the fight for democracy.

Sources on World War II

Moore, B. L. To Serve My Country, to Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African-American WACS Stationed Overseas During World War II. NYU Press, 1997.

Moore tells the compelling story of the African American Women's Army Corps members who served overseas during WWII. Their experiences challenge conventional narratives about gender, race, and military service.

Morehouse, M. M. Fighting in the Jim Crow Army: Black Men and Women Remember World War II. Rowman & Littlefield, 2006.

Through personal narratives, Morehouse presents the experiences of Black servicemen and women in WWII, set against the backdrop of Jim Crow America. The book offers a poignant and personal look at the challenges and triumphs of African American soldiers.

Osur, A. M. Separate and Unequal: Race Relations in the AAF During World War II. Air Force History and Museums Program, 2000.

Osur's work examines the segregation and discrimination within the Army Air Forces during WWII, providing a detailed analysis of the institutional barriers faced by African American servicemen and the efforts to overcome them.

Quarles, B., and Nalty, B. C. Taps for a Jim Crow Army: Letters from Black Soldiers in World War II. University Press of Kentucky, 2014.

This collection of letters from Black soldiers offers an intimate glimpse into the experiences of African Americans during WWII. Quarles and Nalty compile a powerful narrative of hope, frustration, and resilience, highlighting the personal dimensions of racial segregation within the military.

Brown, C. S. Refusing Racism: White Allies and the Struggle for Civil Rights. Teachers College Press, 2002.

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Sources Spanning Both World Wars · 130 words

"Works covering both WWI and WWII contexts"

Conclusion

Together, these ten sources form a rich foundation for understanding how African Americans navigated the contradictions of wartime service and racial injustice. Spanning personal letters, institutional histories, literary analysis, and broad narrative accounts, the works collectively illuminate the enduring struggle for civil rights both on the battlefield and at home.

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Military Segregation Jim Crow Army Double V Campaign Civil Rights Black Soldiers Racial Identity Wartime Protest African American Women Cross-racial Solidarity War Literature