This poster presented African American soldiers as the “True Sons of Freedom,” celebrating their role in the ongoing World War. President Abraham Lincoln, gazing over the battlefields, reminded viewers that African American soldiers had also fought valiantly during the U.S. Civil War. During World War I, nearly 200,000 African Americans went to Europe as American soldiers. Many enlisted voluntarily, believing they were fighting a “war for democracy” both abroad and at home. In 1917 and 1918, the United States was a segregated nation, deeply stratified by race. African American soldiers hoped that by proving themselves on the battlefield, they would be able to demand fair treatment and equal citizenship once they returned home. The war, however, did not end racial discrimination. The U.S. Army segregated troops by race. Most African Americans were relegated to low-status support roles and did not see combat (contrary to the depiction in this poster). Nevertheless, black troops played a notable role in the American war effort, both on and off the battlefield. Yet despite black soldiers’ successes, many white Americans protested the idea of providing guns to African Americans. Racial tensions mounted in the wartime United States and boiled over into violence and race riots. In this context, it is unclear which audience this poster’s producers intended to reach. They may have targeted African Americans, either to encourage them to join the army or to boost the morale of those already enlisted. Alternately, the poster’s goal may have been to calm white fears about arming African American soldiers.

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