Quiestion is....Why was the USA army segregated?

Answer 1

The Sgt Major has it correct however you are asking 'why was"

Good question..

Realize the the US Army was the first service to allow Blacks a chance to serve. The Army was not always wanting such but some great things came about.

The Army had units of Negros, Blacks since the Civil War, see the movie "Glory". During the Indian wars the 9th & 10th Cavalry units were Negro outfits with white offiers, they fough many an Apache and such.

Our WWI Commander General Pershing was called "Black jack" as he lead Black troups, I have read his biography and he really like them as soldiers and in 1898 fought with them in the Spanish American War. It never hurt his career.

Segregrated units were seen in WWI, actually the Black infantry fought with the French who again respected them.

WWII saw the Army take in Blacks into all branches but mostly seperate units for Blacks. Whilst the other services utilized Blacks little if at other other than as "cooks", stewards, etc.

Why? It was how America was, "seperate but equal' was the law in most Southern states. The military "reflected" American society but was actually decades ahead as with the Army by the end of the Korean War.

By the middle years of Vietnam 1968, there was still racial tension but that as due to the Civil Rights movement and such.
By this time Blacks were well established in the NCO corps and starting to advance as officers: I was in General Powell's
unit in Vietnam when he was a major. (He did several tours).

So, good question but the Army was at the forefront of Civil rights: many "myths" about this topic but you will not hear it from those who served.

Answer 2

The only segregation going on in the US Army is that between men and women in sleeping quarters and personal hygiene areas. This is for obvious reasons. As far as racial segregation, that ended long before I became a soldier and the Army considers all races to be "Army Green". I have worked under minority races in some of the highest offices in the Military, and had the good fortune to serve under general Colin Powell in Saudi Arabia. You are sadly misinformed my friend.

Answer 3

It depends on whihc particular segregation your speaking of.

the original segregation, was of No women, and no negros. the former being a victim of gender roles. (women are inferior, suposed to make the home, unable to fight etc) and the latter being slaves msot of the time and theirfore ineligible to fightin all white units and so segregated to all black units. units which were deemed to be expendable or low priority.

Mostly these were attitiudes based on european patriarchism. which came over with the colonists due to the majority of the colonists being european.

Homosexuality has allways been considered a sin by religions which therefore translated to military policy. ((a huge msitake in my opinion)) since any Gay person is just as capable of performing their duties as any straight person and their Has NEVR EVER EVER been any proven scientific or empirical data to support the argument that gays are a moral drain on forces.

In short order. my personal feeling is this. the Army most likely to succeecd in large scale actions in the future (that meaning the next 10 years) well be the army that drops all predjudices. and openly recruits anyone and everyone with exceptions only being made for criminals, etc.

When the armed forces realize that gender, and gender preference have nothing to do with service ability. our US army well become the greatest fighting force in the world. and their wont be a foe we face that well be able to defeat us. We well be united as never before.

Answer 4

Because during the war and before, the US people , although they had a civil war over slavery , classed the coloured people of the US 2nd class citizens and to prevent the mainly southern states from not voting, many of the presidents still allowed them to get away with it , Martin Luther King fought a long campaign which was taken up by the Kennedy brothers, it was only until the Vietnam war that the coloured people where allowed to enlist in segregated units , this allowed the white people to dodge enlistment while the coloured where shipped in their thousands to die for Un cle Sam who had still wanted to keep them as slaves

Answer 5

It was during the time when segregation was the way of life. You had black bathrooms and white bathrooms. You had black churches and white churches. You had drinking fountains and white drinking fountains.

It wasn't right, but everything was segregated back then.

Answer 6

Blacks and women didn't have the rights they have now years ago. The army followed cultural lines of separation. Things changed in the 60's.

Answer 7

Dates back to the American Civil War. Both sides needed black troops but neither wanted them to be trained as fighters, so originally they built camps/roads etc.
This just developed over time PLUS the US Congress did not see it as 'seemly' that 'a negro' were in a position of power over a white...no black officers commanding white troop.

Answer 8

Not enouhg detail in your question. What segregation took place.

Answer 9

because it is composed of mercenaries and nationality seekers