American Indians in World War I: At Home and at WarOver 17,000 Native Americans registered for military service during World War I. Of these about 10,000 either enlisted or were drafted into the American Expeditionary Force. Three related questions are examined in depth for the first time in this book: What were the battlefield experiences of Native Americans? How did racial and cultural stereotypes about Indians affect their duties? Were Native American veterans changed by their military service? Many American Indians distinguished themselves fighting on the Western Front. And as compared to black and Mexican American soldiers, Indians enjoyed near universal respect when in uniform. To celebrate their patriotism during and after the war, Indians could even perform warrior society dances otherwise proscribed. Both in combat and in their support roles on the home front, including volunteer contributions by Indian women, Native Americans hoped their efforts would result in a more vigorous application of democracy. But the Bureau of Indian Affairs continued to cut health and education programs and to suppress Indian culture. |
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66th Cong African American Ameri American Indian Magazine Anglo Apache April ARCIA Army Reorganization assimilation Barsh Battalion Cato Sells Cavalry Cherokee Cheyenne Commissioner of Indian Commissioner Sells Crowder cultures Dawes Act dian Dixon draft enlist federal fighting File Five Civilized Tribes German Goshute Indian Affairs Indian citizenship Indian policy Indian School Journal Indian scouts Indian soldiers Indian troops Indian veterans Indian women Indian's Friend Infantry Regiment Interior Interview January John July June Liberty bonds Literary Digest Mexican military officials military service National Native Ameri Native American 19 Native American soldiers Native Americans noncitizen Indians officers percent Provost Marshal RAEF RBIA reform registration reservation RHSGS Santee Normal Training School Journal 18 Secretary segregated units Selective Service Selective Service Act served Sioux South Dakota Superintendent tion traditional tribal tribes U.S. Army U.S. Congress Vanishing Race warriors wartime Washington Western Word Carrier World World War York