Conclusion

Despite risking their lives to defend their country, there was very little social progress made for African Americans after World War I. Instead of being given more rights and freedoms, black communities became targets of violence, blamed for issues and tensions stemming from white society, and faced further segregation than what they had experienced when they left. This tension gave rise to individuals like Marcus Garvey advocating for the abandonment of America by Africans to return to their home (even though most African Americans were generations from their closest African ancestor). 

Though the progress was not there, the ideas, drive, and motivation was rooted in African American efforts in World War I. The world saw that these people who were considered property by the United States less than a century before could stand side by side whites and fight for their country. Their efforts would go on to inspire other African Americans to fight in World War II and continue to push the message of equality and civli rights, along with developing pride in their own culture.