The Black British Empire contributed significantly to World War 1, financially giving millions of pounds and also sending millions of soldiers. Soldiers from the West Indies and Africa being used as servant and menial labour. The British Army treated these soldiers in a directly racist manner, denying most of them the opportunity to fight because they did not want the Germans to despise them for needing savages to help them win the war; making the black soldiers dig toilets for white soldiers and prisoners and carry munitions to the front. The Black soldiers went on strike after finding that they were denied a pay rise because of their race, this resulting in firing squad and prison.