Final answer:
African American soldiers desired to stay in Europe post-WWII due to the racism and inequality they faced at home in the US. They experienced more respect and agency abroad and were disillusioned by unfulfilled promises of equality upon their return.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some African American soldiers wanted to stay in Europe after the war due to the discrimination and inequality they faced in the United States. Postwar racism was rampant, and the social, political, or economic equality for Black people was far from reality. Having served bravely in segregated units and despite facing significant barriers, African American soldiers experienced a sense of agency and respect abroad that they did not find at home. Their wartime contributions fueled their desires for self-determination and heightened their unwillingness to accept discriminatory practices upon their return. In Europe, these soldiers had also learned to handle weapons and defend themselves, abilities that were met with fear and alarm by white Americans who desired to maintain the status quo. The Double V Campaign, which sought victory against both foreign enemies and domestic racism, highlighted the duality of their fight. Even after the war, when they were legally entitled to benefits under the GI Bill, African Americans often found these promises unfulfilled, causing disillusionment with returning to their pre-war lives.