skip to main content

America's Black Soldiers

19 minutes 53 seconds

Videos are generally available for preview to non-members as short clips. Limited full-length titles are also available. Log In to view the full length title.

Browse Full-length Non-member Titles

Part of "The World at War" series. It was a war without bullets and bombs, one that was silent and invisible to most Americans. Reveals the story of black Americans' long battle for the right to serve as equals in the U.S. military. Facing discrimination, segregation, and sometimes outright hostility and rejection, blacks nevertheless managed to honorably serve and heroically fight in such conflicts as the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and World War I. However, it wasn't until their vital contribution to the American victory in World War II that blacks finally won the military's acceptance. Shows a rare combat and newsreel footage, capturing their struggle.

Media Details

Runtime: 19 minutes 53 seconds

Black and white image with closeup of a sign that reads, "Civil Rights Plus Full Employment." Crowd of people and protest signs fill the background.
10 Things You Don't Know About
Season 3 / Ep 3
41 minutes 53 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
A Black woman wearing a nurse's uniform puts her arm around a Black boy, both smile at the camera.
56 minutes
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Black and white photo of Black and White people in a coffee shop, some sitting in chairs and others standing at a lunch counter in the background. Caption. Male as narrator. The idea of the freedom rides was radical.
51 minutes 57 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black and white photo of Black girl and father speaking to senior White man. Caption. I had my big daddy's hand to walk with.
23 minutes 18 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Color illustration of a silhouette behind a curtain overlooking boats on a lake in the distance. Title card reads, "A Spy Called James."
9 minutes 46 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
Color illustration of Ananse. A colorful umbrella shields him from the sun. Caption. All the stories belonged to Nyame, the Sky God.
9 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: K - 4
Black and white photo of Bryant's Grocery and Meat Market in between 2 Coca Cola Classic signs. Caption. A 14-year-old black boy from Chicago.
38 minutes 53 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Black and white frame of A. Philip Randolph, a civil-rights activist. Caption. Of a mighty corporation such as the Pullman Company was.
1 hours 27 minutes 27 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black and white image of Jackie Robinson wearing his Dodgers jersey and sliding on one side towards a base, baseball hat falling to the ground.
20 minutes
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Senior Black man wearing glasses, a teal-colored African scarf and head wrap, and a dark suit jacket stands next to an African wall hanging and speaks towards camera.
17 minutes 15 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12

Viewer Comments

  • Tiny default profile photo
    CAMILLE B. (KNOXVILLE, TN)
    February 14th, 2019 at 10:16 AM

    Older video but excellent actual footage and information!