1 Bell Work 1.Where was over there? 2.List America’s four reasons for entering the war in According to Woodrow Wilson, what would going to war with Germany make safe?

American Power Tips the Balance Section 3

MAIN IDEA Military Mobilization in the U.S. NOTES “Manpower” and “materials” were the main contributions of the United States to World War I.

MAIN IDEA United States was not prepared for war. NOTES There were few men in the service and not many officers with experience. Strong antiwar feelings had hampered efforts to prepare for war.

MAIN IDEA Selective Service Act NOTES May 1917 required men to register with the government in order to be randomly selected for military service. (the draft) –Men ages 21 to 30 had to register for military service. –Draft eventually extended to all men between 18 and 45. –Of the 5 million men who served in the military during World War I, 2.8 million were drafted. –A total of 1.4 Americans saw combat.

MAIN IDEANOTES The Selective Service Act did not discriminate against Americans of African descent, and many were drafted or volunteered. –There was a widespread belief in the black community that military service would help “break down prejudice” and led to “political” and “economic gains.”

Training the Troops In the summer of 1917, army was not prepared. –Many soldiers had to sleep in tents until barracks were built. –Practiced with wooden sticks because there was a shortage of rifles. –Spent most of their time learning military rules and how to march.

U.S. Soldiers Few soldiers received much training before going overseas because the Allies urgently needed them.

MAIN IDEA American Expeditionary ForceAmerican Expeditionary Force NOTES General John J. Pershing command of the troops sent to Europe, called the “AEF” or American Expeditionary Force.General John J. Pershing command of the troops sent to Europe, called the “AEF” or American Expeditionary Force. –The British and French wanted to use the American troops to reinforce there units. –He did not want American forces to be only reinforcements. –He wanted the AEF to be an independent fighting force under American command.

MAIN IDEA U. S. Navy NOTES By the end of the war the navy consisted of more than 500,000 men and approximately 2,000 ships. Admiral William S. Sims was in charge of all naval forces abroad. Two Important achievements of the Navy: –Aiding the British fleet in enforcing the blockade of Germany. –Implemented the convoy system.

MAIN IDEA Getting the Troops to Europe NOTES Before the United States could reach the western Front, the allies had to overcome the U-boat threat in the Atlantic.Before the United States could reach the western Front, the allies had to overcome the U-boat threat in the Atlantic. The convoy system consisted of merchant vessels sailing in groups under the protection of an armed naval escort.The convoy system consisted of merchant vessels sailing in groups under the protection of an armed naval escort. –By 1917, shipping losses had been cut in half. –Out of the 2 million Americans who crossed the Atlantic only 637 were lost to U-boat attacks.

MAIN IDEA Women in the Military NOTES WWI was the first war in which women officially served in the armed forces. Navy / Marine Corps –Clerical duties, radio operators, electricians, pharmacist, chemist, photographers. Army –Hired women to do clerical jobs. –The only women to actually serve in the army were in the Army Nursing Corps.

MAIN IDEA Americans of African descent NOTES About 370,000 Americans of African descent were in armed forces. –Served in segregated units. –½ served in France. –Most assigned to non- combat duties. The all black 369th Infantry also known as the Harlem Hell Fighters, saw more continuous duty on the front lines than any other American regiment.The all black 369th Infantry also known as the Harlem Hell Fighters, saw more continuous duty on the front lines than any other American regiment.

MAIN IDEANOTES Two soldiers, Henry Johnson and Needham Robert, were the first Americans to receive France’s highest military honor, the “Cross of War.”Two soldiers, Henry Johnson and Needham Robert, were the first Americans to receive France’s highest military honor, the “Cross of War.”

Activity Read Henry Johnson newspaper article and worksheet as class and discuss.

Land Campaigns In the spring of 1918, the Germans mounted a major offensive. They had extra troops that they had transferred from the Eastern Front. The French and British were retreating like mad.

MAIN IDEA Battle of Chateau- Thierry NOTES In 1918 the Germans reached Chateau- Thierry which is just 40 miles from Paris, France. American forces, aided by French colonial troops, stopped the Germans there. Americans proved their worth in combat.

The Second Battle of the Marne The “turning of the war” occurred in August, 1918, with the Second Battle of the Marne, in which the “last German offensive was repulsed decisively by the Allied Troops.” Approximately 85,000 American Troops participated in this fighting, which took place in the valley of the Marne River.

MAIN IDEA The Meuse-Argonne Offensive NOTES 1918 U.S. led offensive.1918 U.S. led offensive. –American forces totaling about 1.2 million began a major offensive in the Argonne Forest along the Meuse River, breaking the German lines. This battle started the Germans on their last retreat as it became evident that the Allies were headed for the German territory.This battle started the Germans on their last retreat as it became evident that the Allies were headed for the German territory. Resistance collapsed.Resistance collapsed.

MAIN IDEANOTES During this offensive, Alvin York became one of America’s greatest heroes.During this offensive, Alvin York became one of America’s greatest heroes. –Originally a conscientious objector, a person who opposes warfare on moral grounds. Armed with only a rifle and a revolver York killed 23 Germans and – with six other doughboys- captured 132 prisoners.Armed with only a rifle and a revolver York killed 23 Germans and – with six other doughboys- captured 132 prisoners.

MAIN IDEA Collapse of Central Powers NOTES November 3, 1918 Austria-Hungary surrendered to the Allies. –On the same day German sailors mutinied against government authority. –Across Germany soldiers and workers rebelled. November 9th, Socialist leaders in the capital, Berlin, established the Weimar republic. –The Kaiser gave up the throne.

MAIN IDEANOTES No allied soldiers were on German territory and no truly decisive battles were fought. The Germans were too exhausted to continue fighting. Representatives of a newly the established German govt. signed an “armistice” on November 11, –Germans accepted the armistice terms demanded by the Allies and agreed to evacuate the territories it had taken during the war, agreed to surrender large numbers of arms, ships, and other war materials. –Germans agreed to allow Allied powers to occupy German territory along the Rhine River

MAIN IDEA Armistice NOTES An agreement between opposing armies to suspend hostilities in order to discuss peace terms also called a truce.

MAIN IDEANOTES The war officially ended on the 11 th hour, of the 11 th day, of the 11 th month, 1918.

MAIN IDEA Final toll NOTES WWI was the bloodiest war in history up to that time. Around 22 million deaths, ½ of them civilians. 20 million people wounded. 10 million refugees. $338 billion in direct economic costs. U.S. losses –Killed 116,516 62,000 died of disease –Wounded 204,002 –Prisoners and Missing 4,500

The Costs of World War I

“War doesn’t determine who is right, only who is left”

Before

After

MAIN IDEANOTES