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World War IMany Americans were initially against our involvement in World War I. But stories about the barbarity of the Germans, and the economic benefits of war, eventually convinced the country to join the Allies side. More than 350,000 men from Illinois fought in World War I. It was one of four states to provide men for an entire Army division. Over 4,200 Illinoisans were killed or died in the war.
Large numbers of African-Americans moved to Illinois around the time of World War I. The Chicago Defender, an African-American newspaper begun in Chicago in 1905, attracted thousands of African-Americans from the south to the Chicago area with its editorials and advertisements in what became known as "The Great Migration". Although they came north looking for economic advancement, African-Americans still encountered prejudice and discrimination. Many employers were reluctant to hire African-Americans. Segregated housing limited the areas where African-Americans could live. Segregated schools resulted in a sub-par education for African-Americans. These issues strained race relations in Illinois and violence sometimes occurred between black and white groups. Race riots occurred in Springfield in 1908. The Illinois National Guard was needed twice in 1917 to subdue disturbances in East St. Louis. In 1919, race riots broke out in Chicago after a black youth, who had swum into a "white" beach area, was stoned and drowned. After 5 days of violence between white and black groups, the Illinois National Guard was called out to end the fighting. The struggle by African-Americans for equal rights would continue for many years. Other events during this time included an influenza epidemic which struck the country in 1918-1919 and killed thousands of people in Illinois. In addition, the Black Sox Scandal in the 1919 World Series rocked Major League Baseball.
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