The only way I can answer the questions designed to refine my topic is to actually explore the archives available to me and see what materials I have to work with. Something I plan to do this weekend is look at what primary sources are actually available here at Stanford. My goal is to find a diary detailing a soldier's experiences, ideally including the periods before, during, and after the war. I thought I would start in the Mexican-American section of the Hoover Archives. Julie also pointed me towards another great resource: the African-American Mueseum and Library in Oakland. Between the two I hope to find enough primary material to work with.
Although my research question and thesis are not set in stone, I am operating under a general idea that hopefully can help me narrow down my focus as my research progresses. Basically, I want to frame the minority wartime experience with the theme of our class, identities. This would break down into two main facets: how are these minority soldiers perceived by those around them (i.e. their commanders and fellow soldiers, their community back home, other minority groups, etc.) and how do they percieve themselves (ties to their original home and culture versus ties to their adopted country, the United States.) What are they fighitng for? Narrow concerns such as their family? Fear of being seen as 'un-American?' Unable to find a job, and so chose the army as a last resort? Or do they believe in the cause, believe that defending America and her democratic ideals are reason enough to volunteer? Of course the background of these soldiers would play an imortant part in my analysis. Are they first or second generation Americans? What was their life like growing up in this country?
I need to work backwards a little bit and tailor my paper to what sources are actually available, but hopefully this gives you guys an idea of what I'm going for.
- Brendan
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