How WWI Changed America: Native Americans in WWI

Summary

The script highlights the resilience and contributions of American Indians during World War I. Despite facing discrimination and being confined to reservations, thousands of Native Americans, including tribes like the Onondagas, volunteered to fight. Their service, including the use of their languages to prevent German codebreakers, had a significant impact. This led to the eventual granting of U.S. citizenship to all American Indians in 1924. Their patriotism and sacrifices are often overlooked, but their involvement in the war played a crucial role in changing their status and rights within the country.

Takeaways

• 😀 American Indians were present in the U.S. long before Europeans arrived and were forced onto reservations by the turn of the 20th century.
• 😀 The U.S. government pushed for the assimilation of American Indians into mainstream society, aiming to make them like white Americans.
• 😀 The Allotment Act tried to divide Indian reservations into private property, with Indians becoming citizens only if they accepted the land.
• 😀 World War I saw thousands of American Indians volunteer to fight despite not having citizenship or rights in the U.S.
• 😀 Some tribes, like the Onondagas, even declared war on Germany independently, showing their deep commitment to their homeland.
• 😀 American Indians fought in World War I for various reasons, including patriotism, preserving warrior traditions, and seeking equality.
• 😀 Around 10,000 American Indians served in the U.S. Army, and about 2,000 served in the Navy during World War I.
• 😀 One of the least-known contributions of American Indians was the use of their languages to communicate in military operations, preventing German forces from breaking American codes.
• 😀 The Choctaws, and other tribes like the Cheyennes and Sioux, used their languages in ways that acted as a barrier to German interception during World War I.
• 😀 Although not technically 'code talkers,' the use of Native languages had a significant impact on the success of surprise attacks and the outcome of the war.
• 😀 In 1924, the U.S. government granted citizenship to all American Indians, in part as a recognition of their service and patriotism during World War I.
• 😀 Despite their significant contributions, American Indians have largely been overlooked in mainstream historical accounts, but their sacrifices and loyalty remain essential to American history.

Q & A

What was the general situation for American Indians at the turn of the 20th century?

By the turn of the 20th century, American Indians were largely confined to reservations, suffering from disease, the destruction of their culture, and a drastic decline in population.

What was the purpose of the Allotment Act for American Indians?

The Allotment Act aimed to divide up Indian reservations and give each family their own piece of property in an effort to assimilate them into white society and grant them citizenship.

What happened to American Indians who did not take an allotment under the Allotment Act?

Those who did not take an allotment remained non-citizens, meaning they could not vote, be drafted into the military, or enjoy other rights.

Why did many American Indians volunteer to fight in World War I despite their treatment in the U.S.?

Many American Indians volunteered to fight in World War I to demonstrate their patriotism, protect their homeland, maintain their warrior traditions, or improve their status and rights within U.S. society.

What role did the Onondaga tribe play during World War I?

The Onondaga tribe, part of the Iroquois Confederacy, actually declared war on Germany during World War I.

What was the significance of the Choctaw soldiers during World War I?

Choctaw soldiers contributed significantly to the war effort by using their native language to transmit messages, which were unintelligible to German forces and helped ensure surprise attacks were successful.

Why were Native American languages useful during World War I?

Native American languages were useful because they did not have equivalent words for combat terms, making them difficult for enemy forces, particularly the Germans, to decipher or break the communication codes.

Why can't the Native American soldiers be considered 'code talkers' during World War I?

Although they used their languages to transmit messages, the Native American soldiers did not speak in a formalized code, hence they are not technically considered 'code talkers'.

What was the impact of using Native American languages on the outcome of World War I?

The use of Native American languages in communication had a significant impact, as it helped secure surprise attacks and contributed to the Allied victory by preventing German interception of critical messages.

How did American Indian soldiers' experiences overseas differ from their experiences at home?

American Indian soldiers faced less discrimination while serving overseas than they did back home, where they were often treated as second-class citizens.

What was the long-term impact of American Indians' service in World War I?

As a result of their service and patriotism, the U.S. government granted citizenship to all American Indians in 1924, marking a significant turning point in their history and culture.