Freedom to Serve - Truman, Civil Rights, and Executive Order 9981 (Hardcover)

On the eve of America s entry into World War II, African American leaders pushed for inclusion in the war effort and, after the war, they mounted a concerted effort to integrate the armed services. Harry S. Truman s decision to issue Executive Order 9981 in 1948, which resulted in the integration of the armed forces, was an important event in twentieth century American history.

In Freedom to Serve, " Jon E. Taylor gives an account of the presidential order as an event which for"ever changed the U.S. armed forces, and set a political precedent for the burgeoning civil rights movement. Including press releases, newspaper articles, presidential speeches, and biographical sidebars, "Freedom to Serve "introduces students to an under-examined event while illuminating the period in a new way.

For additional documents, images, and resources please visit the "Freedom to Serve "companion website at www.routledge.com/cw/criticalmoments