During World War I, over 350,000 African-Americans served in the racially segregated U.S. Military. In addition, numerous African-American individuals, including African-American women, served in the Red Cross and played a critical role in wartime industry on the homefront. The National World War I Museum and Memorial, in collaboration with the Google Cultural Institute, has created this powerful online exhibit that allows visitors to learn about the role of African-Americans in World War I. This exhibit centers on a rich collection of photographs, letters, and other primary documents. These items are organized into a series of "chapters" and accompanied by annotations that provide additional context and, at times, biographical information about individuals. At the heart of this exhibition is the tension inherent in the fact that black Americans fought in segregated troops to "make the world safe for democracy." The material in this exhibit allows visitors to explore these tensions while learning more about the varied individual experiences of African-Americans during World War I, both at home and abroad.
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