The Harlem Hellfighters & African Americans in WWI

Lesson Plans For This Video:
www.history4humans.com/produc...
This History For Humans episode focuses on the Harlem Hellfighters in WWI but also unpacks the overall African American experience during the World War One. The third episode of the WWI series, teaches of the triumphs and challenges that confronted the Harlem Hellfighters, the 369th Infantry Regiment, as they fought to protect and transform America as well as the race riots and Great Migration on the homefront.
FULL LESSON PLANS THAT GO WITH THIS VIDEO:
Like all History For Humans lesson it includes interactive notesheets, a quick quiz, and an extension lesson that has students read two primary sources from Black leaders, Reverend James Grimke and WEB DuBois, regarding what returning troops should do back in America to reform the country. Students read, answer questions, complete and venn-diagram, and write an argument on which leader offered the better ideas and strategies.

[@stephenwalton7079]

Their transport ship was beset by mechanical problems and a reticent Captain who was constantly trying to not sail. Damaged at sea, h3 was going to return to New York until the 369th pointedly told him to continue east as they effected repairs with skilled craftsmen within their ranks. On arrival in France they were denied combat assignment until the French request came in.

[@sparkyfromel]

When the 369th joined the French army , they were issued with French kit . Much to their delight ,the water bottles were filled with standard issue wine ! the French were quite racist in a cool way , believing that not being French was unfortunate but hardly their fault and shouldn't be held against them there was many French colonial troops , they fought very well and were respected as such

[@stephenwalton7079]

The 369th was one of only two Afro American units actually trained in combat arms. The other was in the Indiana National Guard. Getting the 369th even formed was a monumental battle topped by the efforts to get to France. Their transport ship was

[@historyforhumans905]

I would love to make an episode about the lesser known unit of the Indiana National Guard :)

[@josephratliff7165]

Henry Johnson was a hero, He went above and beyond requirement and voluntarily entered a hand to hand combat fight to the death, After being severely wounded. That cant be taught. Unfortunately he didn't get anything close to proper medical care for the wounds he received which led to a downward spiral of alcohol abuse. He died in his early thirties. i

[@historyforhumans905]

A tragic end for an American hero. He deserved much better.

[@christopherjefferson3561]

This is a movie that should've been made

[@MARCBOIREAU]

Some mistakes in this video (by exemple,the story of the us cartridge in the french rifle is false. The true is Henri Johnson had empty his rifle, and he had no time to reload before befire by a german with a pistol. So he take his knife to fight for his life). I suggest you read "From Harlem to the Rhine, the story of New York's Colored Voklunteers" by Arthur W Little.

[@historyforhumans905]

Thanks. That might be. I found that in at least two reputable sources but certainly could be a mistake. Thanks for watching :)

[@blizzdog3881]

Good show but I learn about them in jr high school back in the 70s must be how good of teachers you have

[@historyforhumans905]

Absolutely! Glad to hear that :)

[@topgtaazz78]

Underrated Chanel

[@historyforhumans905]

I concur! But patience will serve well! ; )

[@annlang9632]

A great and interesting lesson. You are a great story teller & are very engaging.

[@historyforhumans905]

Glad you think so! Thanks so much, Ann!

[@MrPlankinton]

The Men of that Time were Good, Honest, Hard Working Men, unlike the fatherless, criminal, narcissistic rioters of today.

[@historyforhumans905]

They were definitely heroes and leave us much to live up to.

[@brotherkareem181]

Tell me about these fatherless narcissistic rioters school shooting Neanderthal junkies are a mess.

[@portugeseking7959]

Lol 😆 🤣

[@saeedboynes7129]

Glad u have such a sense of humor coming from a nation that is an international joke lol.

[@portugeseking7959]

​@saeedboynes7129 the international joke is blacks

[@damndirtyrandy7721]

Bullshit. They were not given to France as “throwaways”. Upon entry into the war, General Pershing denied attempts to put American troops in French/English units and under allied command. After, subsequent requests for troop replacements AND having noted the fighting spirit of American Black soldiers, Pershing realized the easiest way to get them into the war was to assimilate them into French units already comprised of mixed races. It was hardly the contemptuous view you seem to want to perpetuate and more of an effort by military high command to incorporate men of all colors into the war without causing intra-unit trouble between people not used to mixing.

[@historyforhumans905]

I will look into that more. The fact remains they were not fit to fight in the front lines with fellow Americans. I ask you please not to curse on my channel. I think if you watch several of my videos I work hard to have an objective approach on the history I teach. As stated, I will look further into your claim above and thank you for bringing that to my attention. I am sure it was much more complicated than my 12 minute video could get into but if I mischaracterized it, that is on me.

[@richardvaldes3959]

Desperately trying to create history where it doesn't exist.

[@historyforhumans905]

Not sure what you mean by that?

[@bigrob9044]

It’s a entry level history but it’s important to cover this because Europe had a impact on the Harlem Hell fighters, the exposure to French ideas of freedom carried back to the US and many soldiers in this regiment had impacts on the Harlem Renaissance in the years after. The band for the Regiment also toured Europe and spread jazz to areas that never experienced it before.

[@historyforhumans905]

@@bigrob9044 It is entry level history for high school students. And I did mention how they brought jazz to France :) Thanks for watching, Rob!

[@bigrob9044]

@@historyforhumans905 of course! Sorry if it came off condescending, I am in school(history major education minor) trying to be a history teacher in the next year or so and plan on using/creating content just like this to help my students.

[@historyforhumans905]

@@bigrob9044 Totally fine! I couldn't tell but love feedback! Keep teaching :)