They were created to segregate the black soldiers from the white ones.
The racist factor is the biggest factor to why they were formed. At the time, white supremacy was all the rage. Many people believed that black people were naturally inferior to whites. This resulted it a lot of harassment and full fledged physical abuse.
The racism also made appearances and influenced some leaders' decisions. General Pershing, for example, had this notion that Black people were a really inferior race that were too stupid to do anything like fighting or leading. He told the French to treat the regiment badly so that they wouldn't bring the idea of equality back to the states. At one point, a pamphlet was sent out to all the Allied powers that read that Black people were to be controlled because they can't lead themselves and that they have a violent tendency that usually led to rape. Many other nations ignored this and thought of Black people as equal.
The racism in the military led the 369th to also work for the French. It was first stated when the US entered the war, that no American would serve under Europeans. However, this often times did not apply to Black soldiers. They were thought of as simple-minded beings who would bring down the American fighting effectiveness if they served along-side Whites.
Even after the war when they were dubbed heroes in Europe, the 369th were more harshly harassed and shamed by American soldiers. All their accomplishments were completely ignored by the military and even all the awards given to them throughout the war were never acknowledged.
Racism definitely led to the segregation of Black soldiers from White ones. They felt it would be a hindrance and dangerous to fight side by side. Only Americans expressed this sentiment, which is sad because it was one of the only countries to display this type of behavior, yet it was the Hellfighter's own nation.
The racism also made appearances and influenced some leaders' decisions. General Pershing, for example, had this notion that Black people were a really inferior race that were too stupid to do anything like fighting or leading. He told the French to treat the regiment badly so that they wouldn't bring the idea of equality back to the states. At one point, a pamphlet was sent out to all the Allied powers that read that Black people were to be controlled because they can't lead themselves and that they have a violent tendency that usually led to rape. Many other nations ignored this and thought of Black people as equal.
The racism in the military led the 369th to also work for the French. It was first stated when the US entered the war, that no American would serve under Europeans. However, this often times did not apply to Black soldiers. They were thought of as simple-minded beings who would bring down the American fighting effectiveness if they served along-side Whites.
Even after the war when they were dubbed heroes in Europe, the 369th were more harshly harassed and shamed by American soldiers. All their accomplishments were completely ignored by the military and even all the awards given to them throughout the war were never acknowledged.
Racism definitely led to the segregation of Black soldiers from White ones. They felt it would be a hindrance and dangerous to fight side by side. Only Americans expressed this sentiment, which is sad because it was one of the only countries to display this type of behavior, yet it was the Hellfighter's own nation.