World War II had a significant impact on African Americans and their fight for civil rights. Despite facing discrimination and segregation within the military and society at large, over one million African Americans served in the armed forces during the war. The Double V Campaign emerged during this time, calling for victory over fascism abroad and victory over racism at home.

The experiences of African American soldiers varied during the war. Many faced discrimination and were relegated to support roles or segregated units. The most well-known segregated unit was the Tuskegee Airmen, an all-Black fighter pilot squadron that achieved remarkable success in combat missions.

Nevertheless, the service of African Americans in World War II helped set the stage for the post-war civil rights movement. The war exposed the hypocrisy of fighting against racism and oppression abroad while tolerating discrimination at home. African American veterans returning from the war demanded equal rights and opportunities, further fueling the civil rights movement that would peak in the 1950s and 1960s.