The film “Glory” tells the story of the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The unit was the second African-American regiment, following the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment, organized in the northern states during the Civil War.

What is not widely known is that the 54th Regiment was just one of the 175 regiments of non-White troops who fought during the Civil War. These regiments were a part of the larger military group known as the United States Colored Troops (USCT). Formed in 1863, following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, the USCT was the result of legislation passed by Congress on July 17, 1862, which allowed African Americans to enlist in the United States military. Initially a part of the Bureau of Colored Troops, the USCT would eventually grow to include infantry soldiers, Calvary, and Navy service members.

Prominent abolitionists such as Frederick Douglas actively recruited members of the USCT. African Americans weren’t the only people to serve in the regiments. Others who served included Native Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders. Fighting bravely, the USCT played vital roles in securing victory whenever they met the enemy in battle. But, of course, despite fighting for the Union, they were not immune to racial discrimination. African-American troops were paid lower wages than their White counterparts and often were commanded by White officers, who were bitter about having received such a command to lead Black troops. The wage disparity would remain until Congress passed laws requiring equal pay.

As word spread about the heroism displayed by these African Americans, the recruitment of African-American troops intensified, resulting in more than 180,000 new soldiers. This influx of fighters gave President Abraham Lincoln what was needed to win the war and “preserve the Union.” Lincoln recognized the importance of the USCT and stated, “Without the military help of the Black freedmen, the war against the South could not have been won.”

However, there was an unintended consequence to the creation of the USCT. The ability of African Americans to become part of the military had an even deeper meaning than the hope of preserving the Union. It allowed African Americans to fight for themselves and dispel the myth that Blacks were lazy and cowardly. These all-Black regiments showed the country their willingness to die for their freedom, despite the ulterior motives of others. Douglas, whose sons joined the military, recognized the inspirational nature of the Black regiments:

“Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S.; let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder, and bullets in his pocket, and there is no power on the earth or under the earth which can deny that he has earned the right of citizenship in the United States.” — “Address for the Promotion of Colored Enlistments,” delivered at a mass meeting in Philadelphia, July 6, 1863.”

For Blacks, an opportunity to fight was also an opportunity to be considered equal. However, as is the history of America, there were two realities. First, White perceptions of Blacks remained unchanged after the Civil War. Shortly after the beginning of Reconstruction, Union troops left the South, and the bloody era of Jim Crow began. The rights of Blacks meant nothing in post-Civil War America. History has continued to show that African American military service and heroism are necessary to maintain and spread democracy. Ironically, African Americans had a clearer view of democracy when abroad than when at home. Unfortunately, when the wars end, Blacks are often viewed as undeserving of the same appreciation and respect as other soldiers, despite facing the same threat of death. Good enough for democracy, but not good enough for freedom. In war, they were standing on the frontline and in peace, standing in the back.