To fully understand the historical significance of the Tuskegee Airmen, one must first understand the social Climate of the time. At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Jim Crow laws, or legal discrimination, had formally existed in the southern states for nearly 60 years. Graphic indications of the Jim Crow laws included voting restrictions, separate schools, "colored" drinking fountains, segregated movie theaters and restaurants, and seating in the back of the bus. In the early days of aviation, Jim Crow laws prevented African Americans from learning to fly in the United States(The History Of Jim Crow). France opened its doors to aspiring African American pilots. Many African American pilots, like Eugene Bullard, served in the French Lafayette Flying Corps. In 1921, Bessie Coleman, daughter of a slave, trained in France and became the first African American woman pilot.

In 1925, at the height of the Jim Crow era, the military published a report issued by the War College, "The Use of Negro Manpower in War." This report contained numerous derogatory remarks against the character of African Americans. Although the report offered no supportive evidence, it was accepted as truth and used to block African Americans from serving in the military. Many United States military leaders believed that African Americans lacked sufficient bravery, intelligence, and discipline to fight in combat(The History Of Jim Crow). Despite that, in World War I (1914-1918), many African American pilots had distinguished records as pilots in the French Air Force. In 1939, Europe was on the brink of World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt organized the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) to prepare college students for eventual service in the U.S. Army Air Corps(The Tuskegee Airmen). This program was based in existing colleges, segregated by race reflecting the Jim Crow laws.

Nearly a decade later, a CPTP was established at the famous Tuskegee Institute in central Alabama. Charles "Chief" Anderson was the chief flight instructor(Airmen In Combat). To get financial backing for this program, the president of Tuskegee Institute invited members of the Rosenwald fund of Chicago to hold its annual board meeting at the campus. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a member of the board, toured the facilities and observed the pilots. Mrs. Roosevelt persuaded "Chief" Anderson to take her for a plane ride, over the strong objections of the Secret Service. After her visit, Mrs. Roosevelt became a strong supporter, and the Rosenwald Fund loaned the college enough money to construct the Tuskegee Army Air Field(Rosenwald School Initaiative).