Democracy’s Foot Soldiers

This is the lesser-known story of the tens of thousands of Caribbean men who volunteered as soldiers for the British Empire during World War I. In Democracy’s Foot Soldiers (Princeton University Press), Goldthree highlights the British West Indies Regiment. She traces their journeys across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, exploring their military services as well as their struggles against racial discrimination. Drawing on overlooked archives from the Caribbean, Britain, and the United States, Goldthree reveals how military mobilization inspired and fueled new demands for social and political reform back on home soil. Following the war, these veterans and their allies launched their own fight for equality and justice.