Retrospective

The cultural memory of doughboys was crafted through careful propaganda, exceptional depictions in popular media, and mass-produced monuments. Advertisements used the popularity and beloved image of the doughboy to sell products, which also served to reinforce their universal presence in American culture. Countless memorials cemented their presence in cities across the country and have allowed Americans to commemorate those that fought. Although initially overlooked and ridiculed by American society, African-American service in World War I was a milestone in the fight for civil rights. Their monuments and present-day remembrance show the stark differences between modern and early 20th century American society.