Question

question 13

(03.05 mc)

which statement describes the experience of african american soldiers who served in world war i?

african americans served alongside white soldiers for the first time.
african americans were kept out of combat roles.
african americans served only in segregated units.
african americans were used for the most dangerous assignments.

Explanation:

Analyze WWI merchant ship protection

During World War I, Allied merchant shipping faced a severe threat from German unrestricted submarine warfare (U-boats). To counter this, the Allies implemented the convoy system, where merchant vessels sailed in organized groups protected by naval warships (destroyers and battleships). This significantly reduced shipping losses.

Evaluate options for the first question

• "They navigated close to coastlines whenever possible": Incorrect, as U-boats could still attack near coasts, and shallow waters posed navigational hazards.
• "They sailed in convoys protected by battleships": Correct, the convoy system was the primary and most successful tactical defense against U-boats.
• "They traveled only at night to avoid easy detection": Incorrect, merchant ships had to travel continuously due to long voyage distances.
• "They employed sailors from countries on both sides of the war": Incorrect, employing crew from enemy nations would pose a severe security risk.

Analyze African American service in WWI

During World War I, the United States military maintained a strict policy of racial segregation. African American soldiers were drafted and volunteered, but they were organized into segregated units, typically commanded by white officers.

Evaluate options for the second question

• "African Americans served alongside white soldiers for the first time": Incorrect, the military remained strictly segregated during WWI (desegregation did not occur until Executive Order 9981 in 1948).
• "African Americans were kept out of combat roles": Incorrect, while many served in labor and supply units, some notable units (like the 369th Infantry Regiment, the "Harlem Hellfighters") saw extensive combat.
• "African Americans served only in segregated units": Correct, segregation was the official and universal policy of the US military during this era.
• "African Americans were used for the most dangerous assignments": Incorrect, while they faced harsh conditions and systemic discrimination, they were not systematically singled out for the most dangerous combat assignments; in fact, many were relegated to support roles due to racial prejudice.

Answer:

Question 1

• They navigated close to coastlines whenever possible.
• They sailed in convoys protected by battleships. (Correct answer)
• They traveled only at night to avoid easy detection.
• They employed sailors from countries on both sides of the war.

Question 2

• African Americans served alongside white soldiers for the first time.
• African Americans were kept out of combat roles.
• African Americans served only in segregated units. (Correct answer)
• African Americans were used for the most dangerous assignments.