Warm Up: Quote Analysis “You will be home before the first leaves all from the trees” – Keiser Wilhelm II to the German Troops What does this quote say about the initial thoughts of the looming war?

Americans in world war i Unit 9: Lesson 9 Americans in world war i

Americans in World War I LESSON 9 Americans in World War I Big Idea American troops helped the Allies achieve victory in World War I. Main Ideas American soldiers started to arrive in Europe in 1917. The Americans helped the Allies win the war. Germany agreed to an armistice after suffering heavy losses. The costs of war included millions of human lives as well as financial burdens. President Woodrow Wilson and European leaders met to work out a peace agreement. The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

American Soldiers Arrive Main Idea 1 American soldiers started to arrive in Europe in 1917. Americans joined the fight in Europe in 1917 as a force separate from the other Allied units. U.S. troops were known as the American Expeditionary Force. Led by General John J. Pershing Thoroughly trained for combat before reaching front lines Included regular army and National Guard troops, volunteers, and draftees continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

New Government Russia Leaves the War Revolution in Russia November 1917: a group of Russians known as the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian government. Bolsheviks were Communists– people who favor the equal distribution of wealth and the end of all forms of private property. New Government Led by Vladimir Lenin Knew the war had reached a desperate point Around 8 million Russians had already been killed. Soldiers were deserting. Food riots raged in cities. March 1918: Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers, taking itself out of World War I.

Winning the War Main Idea 2 The Americans helped the Allies win the war. With Russia gone, Germany planned to smash the stalemate. American soldiers arrived on the front. Germans made an advance, but were unprepared for the fresh, well-trained American forces and were driven back. July 1918– German forces launch final offensive Attempted to cross the Marne River Terrible losses forced them to stop. American troops helped force a major turning point in the war. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Armistice Main Idea 3 Germany agreed to an armistice after suffering heavy losses. The Allies drove toward victory after the failed German advance. More than 1 million U.S. troops in France Began winning victories against German forces Austria-Hungary reached a peace accord with the Allies on November 3, 1918 By November 1918, American soldiers were making rapid advance toward Germany. continued…

Casualties Financial Losses The Costs of War Main Idea 4 The costs of war included millions of human lives as well as financial burdens. Casualties Allied: 5 million soldiers dead American: 116,000 soldiers dead; 200,000 soldiers wounded Central Powers: 3.5 million soldiers dead Russia and Germany had the highest death tolls. Financial Losses • $30 billion in property destroyed Factories and farms throughout Europe in ruins • Allies: $145 billion spent • Central Powers: $63 billion spent • European nations deeply in debt continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Peace Agreement Main Idea 5 President Woodrow Wilson and European leaders met to work out a peace agreement. President Woodrow Wilson developed plans for a postwar peace agreement. Known as the Fourteen Points Called for the creation of League of Nations, an international assembly of nations. European leaders disagreed with Wilson’s vision. Wanted to punish Germany for its role in the war Wanted to prevent Germany from ever again becoming a world power Key Goals of the Fourteen Points End secret alliances Encourage free shipping Remove barriers to trade Reduce armies and navies Resolve colonial claims Support the right of people to choose their own government Settle border disputes Establish the League of Nations

Paris Peace Conference American and European leaders met at the Paris Peace Conference, held at the palace of Versailles, near Paris. No representatives from Russia or the Central Powers attended. Allied leaders demanded that Germany Accept complete blame for the war Make reparations, or payments for war damages Give up large parts of its territory Wilson reluctantly agreed to this peace agreement, the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles German reparations of $33 billion Established the League of Nations Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia became independent nations. Poland was restored as a nation Central Powers turned over their colonies to the League of Nations and dismembered.

Treaty of Versailles Rejected Main Idea 6 The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles. U.S. Constitution states that treaties must be ratified by at least two- thirds of the Senate. Wilson presented the treaty to the Senate. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge wanted the winners to set the terms of the peace and demanded changes. Republicans were worried about the League of Nations’ power to use military force. On November 19, 1919, the Senate voted and the Treaty of Versailles was defeated. The United States signed separate peace treaties with Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

Exit Ticket What was the result of World War 1?