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Primary
Brigham Young University

Byu: Scott's Official History: Record of the Old Fifteenth

For Students 9th - 10th
Information on the 369th United States infantry who were the first black men to fight in France. Includes details on training the regiment and guarding German prisoners, and also a letter from Colonel Hayward. From "The American Negro in...
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eBook
Brigham Young University

Wwi Document Archive: Emmett J. Scott. The American Negro in World War I Preface

For Students 9th - 10th
The preface to a book by Emmett J. Scott published in 1919. It examines the role played by African Americans in World War I. To view the whole book, click on the Table of Contents at the end of the page. Includes a speech by Colonel...
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Website
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Somewhere in the Nadir of African American History, 1890 1920

For Students 9th - 10th
Essay on the lesser known plight of African Americans between the years 1890 and 1920. Site includes links to related resources, guiding questions for students and debate on the issue from historians.
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Article
Scott Alexander

Lieutenant James Reese Europe: Songs Back From the Battle

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is an extensive biography of World War I African American soldier and jazz musician Lieutenant James Reese Europe. It includes much detail about Europe's life, experience in the military, and success as a bandleader. Photos,...
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: Photographs of the 369th Infantry

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Background information on the African American troops in the 369th Infantry accompanied by teaching activities that allows students to analyze photographs and use the information in many curricular connections.
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: Integration of the u.s. Armed Forces

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students will draw upon the visual and textual data presented in photographs and documents to gain an understanding of the participation of African Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces and of changes in American military policy regarding...
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Americans and the Great War 1914 1919: A New Home Front

For Students 11th - 12th
World War I changed the configuration of the workforce and organized labor took the opportunity to strengthen its power base. This section looks at the impact of these changes on women and African Americans, as well as how the women's...
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Primary
Brigham Young University

Byu: Scott's Official History: American Negro in the World War

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the full text of a book about the military history of African Americans in World War I. Emmett J. Scott wrote this book in 1919 to detail the experiences of African American soldiers in World War I, covering such topics as...
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Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: African American Soldiers in World War I

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection that uses primary sources to explore the experiences of African American Soldiers in World War I.
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Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: World War I

For Students 9th - 10th
Excerpts from "The Official History of the American Negro in World War I" by Emmett J. Scott, depicting the impact of the Great War on African Americans at home. The doubts that whites voiced about African Americans' loyalty and military...
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Graphic
Other

Oxford Aasc: Focus on African Americans in World War I

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this brief essay about the African Americans who volunteered to serve during World War I, four thousand of whom fought alongside the French. Included is a photo essay with twelve photographs with descriptions.
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Handout
Other

Jazz Roots: James Reese Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a detailed account of Lieutenant Jim Europe's life as a musician, his performances in New York City, and his impact upon the music scene. Includes links to relevant people, photos, and a personal account by a witness of...
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Activity
PBS

Pbs: Jazz: Biographies: James Reese Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
Short but informative biography of jazz musician James Reese Europe (1881-1919) from Ken Burns' PBS documentary, Jazz.
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Activity
The Washington Post

Washington Post: Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
A fascinating first chapter from the book, Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light. Read about how African American laborers and troops were treated by their white American compatriots and see how that contrasted with the...
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Handout
Other

American Forces Press Service: Interest Grows in Music Pioneer James Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
Article from the U.S. Department of Defense commemorating James Reese Europe for both his contribution to the 369th Infantry Regiment in World War I and his place in jazz history before and after the war.
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Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: African American Soldiers in World War I

For Students 9th - 10th
This primary source set emphasizes the experiences of African American doughboys during the war while also highlighting how they were perceived by white Americans. Use the sources to determine how racism and patriotism shaped the...
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Handout
Arlington Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery Website: James Reese Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
This unofficial site about those interred in Arlington National Cemetery offers a brief biography of James Reese Europe, African American jazz musician who was the leader of the military band attached to the 369th Infantry Regiment, the...
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Activity
Yale University

Harlem Renaissance Births a Black Culture: 369th Infantry Regiment

For Students 9th - 10th
Very brief description of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the African American regiment also known as the "Harlem Hell Fighters."