The First World War Ch.11 Section 2
America Mobilizes Raising an Army Selective Service Act (May 1917) required men to register with the government for randomly selected military service Started with 200,000; almost 3 million would be called up for duty Mass production Shipyard workers were exempt from SSA Public relations campaign about importance of shipyard work Fabrication technique of building ships Government took over commercial and private ships and converted them for war use
America Turns the Tide Convoy system Merchant ships began to be escorted by destroyer groups Fighting in Europe American troops added numbers and enthusiasm which boosted Allied morale
Fighting “Over There” American Expeditionary Force (AEF) Led by General John J. Pershing Europeans intended American troops to be used as reinforcements only Pershing insisted they be used on the front lines under U.S. command New Weapons Tank, airplane, improved machine gun, and poison gas
New Hazards Trenches Dirty Lice Rats Polluted water Decaying bodies Lack of sleep Shell shock Trench foot Trench mouth
Americans on the Offensive One Front Russian revolution in 1917 meant Central Power troops could all go to the Western Front Americans arrived just in time to stop the German offensive and played a major role in Allied offensives American War Hero Alvin York, a conscientious objector who joined the, war killed 25 Germans and aided in the capture of 132
The Great War Ends Collapse of Germany Nov. 3, 1918 A-H surrendered German soldiers mutinied and formed a republic Nov. 9- Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated Nov. 11- armistice signed Final Toll About 8.5 million soldiers died and 21 million were wounded Over 20 million civilians died due to starvation, disease, and slaughter
1. Why is the figure of Uncle Sam placed where it is in the composition? 2. How has the artist used color to support the theme of the poster? 3. What symbols are used to get the message across? 4. Would the poster have been as effective if a soldier had been used in place of Uncle Sam? Why or why not?