Fighting for democracy : Black veterans and the struggle against white supremacy in the postwar South / Christopher S. Parker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Parker, Christopher S., 1963-

Series:

Princeton studies in American politics.

Princeton studies in American politics : historical, international, and comparative perspectives

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil rights movements--Southern States--History--20th century.

Civil rights movements.

African Americans--Civil rights--Southern States--History--20th century.

African Americans.

African American veterans--Political activity--Southern States--History--20th century.

African American veterans.

Southern States--Race relations--History--20th century.

Southern States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (288 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Fighting for Democracy shows how the experiences of African American soldiers during World War II and the Korean War influenced many of them to challenge white supremacy in the South when they returned home. Focusing on the motivations of individual black veterans, this groundbreaking book explores the relationship between military service and political activism. Christopher Parker draws on unique sources of evidence, including interviews and survey data, to illustrate how and why black servicemen who fought for their country in wartime returned to America prepared to fight for their own equality. Parker discusses the history of African American military service and how the wartime experiences of black veterans inspired them to contest Jim Crow. Black veterans gained courage and confidence by fighting their nation's enemies on the battlefield and racism in the ranks. Viewing their military service as patriotic sacrifice in the defense of democracy, these veterans returned home with the determination and commitment to pursue equality and social reform in the South. Just as they had risked their lives to protect democratic rights while abroad, they risked their lives to demand those same rights on the domestic front. Providing a sophisticated understanding of how war abroad impacts efforts for social change at home, Fighting for Democracy recovers a vital story about black veterans and demonstrates their distinct contributions to the American political landscape.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

List of Illustrations

Preface and Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1. War, Military Service, and the Prospect for Change

Chapter 2. Military Service and Resistance

Chapter 3. Taking the Crooked with the Straight

Chapter 4. When Jim Crow Meets Uncle Sam

Chapter 5. Exploring the Attitudinal Consequences of African American Military Service

Chapter 6. Dying to Participate

Conclusion. Taps for Jim Crow in the Postwar South

Appendix A. Study Description, Coding, Question Wording, and Other Estimates from Chapters 5 and 6

Appendix B. Content Analysis of the Chicago Defender

Appendix C. Interview Methodology and Material

Appendix D. Profiles of Selected Black Veteran Activists

References

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786612303784

9780691140032

0691140030

9781282303782

1282303783

9781400831029

1400831024

OCLC:

477087937