Africans and the African Diaspora in the First World War – NEW!
In this module, students examine the experiences of Africans and those of African descent in World War I. Through two week of class meetings, students learn about the diverse range of motivations, roles, and outcomes of the war for Africans in French West Senegal and East Africa, and African Americans in the United States. They will consider the dynamics of imperialism that framed the war’s outbreak, and how colonial subjects in French West Senegal and German and British East Africa experienced recruitment and combat in both Europe on the African continent. In addition, the module considers these experiences and perspectives alongside those of African descent in the United States, their struggles for dignity and fully realized citizenship, and how the war facilitated a greater awareness of global denial of rights and anti-colonial activism.
Original version authored by Wendy Urban-Mead
Readings and Primary Sources
Module Lesson Plan:
Lesson 1:
Lesson 2:
- World-War-I-2.1-Reading 2-French West Africa
- World-War-I-2.2-Primary Sources-French West Africa
- World-War-I-2.3-Primary Sources-Senegalese Soldiers Images
Lesson 3:
- World-War-I-3.1-Reading 3-East Africa Campaign
- World-War-I-3.2-Primary Source-Chilembwe
- World-War-I-3.3-Primary Sources-East Africa Campaign
- World-War-I-3.4-Primary Sources-Askari and Carriers Images
Lesson 4:
- World-War-I-4.1-Reading 4-African Americans in the First World War
- World-War-I-4.2-Primary Source-Du Bois
Lesson 5:
