Integration of the Armed Forces

1941 A. Philip Randolph threatened a march on Washington for equal rights and a boycott of the military.

1941During WWII FDR issued FEPC: Fair Employment Practices

Committee to end discrimination in government defense plants.

Integration of the Armed Forces

Racial segregation in American society was a huge embarrassment for the country during the cold war. Why?

July 26, 1948 Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981:

Armed forces were to provide equal treatment and opportunity for black servicemen.

Integration of the Armed ForcesArguments For Arguments Against

African American soldiers fought throughout history

Conflict among the troops affect morale

Right thing to do Political fallout

Set example to other nations “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Hypocritical not to People were more racist

Break down barriers, learn to live together

Some black soldiers were opposed, especially officers.

Threatened boycott would weaken our military

Advisory Committee on Prisoners of War

Involuntary Repatriation vs. Voluntary Repatriation

Order 10631 U.S. Military Code of Conduct

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.

I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

I will never surrender of my own free will.

If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available.

I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape.

I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

• I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades.

• If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number and date of birth.

I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability.

I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free.

I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Geneva Convention Article 3 1949

Each party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms shall in all circumstances be treated humanely.

POW’s of Korean WarThe following acts are and shall remain prohibited:

Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment;

The passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment

1.  

UN definition of Torture:Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession. . .– Convention Against Torture, Article 1.1

Arguments for and against torture

+May gather informationDiscourage future misbehaviorEye for an eyeWhatever it takes to winWar is dirty, bad things happen

_Unreliable informationViolates human rights and rulesHurts image in worldStress on your soldiersPublic opposesGeorge Washington: “Ours is an honorable cause, we must take the high road.”

Encourages enemies to do the same