The early Colonial/American military during the 18th century forbade the entry of people of color into the military. This precedent would be lifted every now and then when the military required working men, however coming into the Pre-Civil War era African Americans were not allowed to serve in the army. By 1812, the only branch that allowed African Americans was the navy, and this was only due to the lack of manpower they experience from being the newest branch of the military. This participation in the navy would also over time be decreased as racist officers complained and threatedned to quit their post. However, the Civil War would set a new precedent with the North allowing for full service from African Americans. By the wars end 180,000 people of color were serving in the army due to the Emancipation Proclamation. However, after the failure of the reconstruction era old ideas began to take root once again and the Jim Crow era made it nearly impossible for African Americans to be promoted or serve extensively in the military, and they were outright banned from certain branches. The new social climate developed from the Great Migration would begin to shift the climate back towards equality. The Harlem Hellfighters disproved racist arguments when they served with great effectiveness in World War 1 against all odds. This extending of rights towards African Americans would allow for the creation of the Tuskegee Airmen and eventually the desegregation of the military. 

The political climate in the 1930's coming into World War 2 was extremely hostile towards African American military desegregation during the 1930's coming into World War. President Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed directly desegregating the armed forces due to the political blowback from such an extreme move. Certain officers in the military were also very opposed to the idea of desegregation and believed the military should follow tradition. The overall political climate in America was one-sided on this issue, which would not allow for desegregation. The one sided of military officers was shown many times with examples like the Freeman Field Mutiny, where black officers were arrested after retaliating to discrimination. Certain officers like Colonel William Moyer and Colonel Robert Selway were opposed to having African American pilots in their units. However, the idea of giving African Americans more status in the military did have support from many poltical influencers, and in fact many officers as well. The initial units in the 99th Fighter Squadron were composed of both white and black pilots.  The most prominent political supporter is Eleanor Roosevelt, who supported the Tuskegee Program and even took a test flight with them in 1941. With the support of their political allies, African Americans would eventually have military service realized with the Tuskegee Airmen.