During WWI, mоre thаn а milliоn Africаns and Asians served as [BLANK-1] fоr the belligerent empires; more than double that number served as porters who carried equipment. These men volunteered for the position in order to gain food, clothes, or the promise of a better life when they returned home. Others were unwillingly conscripted by imperial powers. Many, however, were disillusioned with European civilization after seeing the death and brutality of the front during the war. Many others shed their belief that Europeans were superhuman when they saw them die in battle and were introduced to concepts such as nationalism. Despite their service, few saw many tangible benefits when they returned home and the newfound nationalism failed to immediately materialize into independence movements.