1. AMERICA JOINS THE FIGHT CHAPTER 24, SECTION 2

2. KEY TERMS John J. Pershing - John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing was the general in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces to victory over Germany in World War I, 1917–18 American Expeditionary Force - consisted of the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe under the command of General John J. Pershing in 1917 to help fight World War I. Convoy system – a heavy guard of destroyers that escorts merchant ships during wartime Second Battle of the Marne – a 1918 battle during World War I that marked the turning point in the war; allied troops along with Americans halted the German advance into France Alvin York - Alvin Cullum York, known also by his rank, Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated soldiers of the United States Army in World War I. Armistice – an end to fighting

3. Terms and People Vladimir Lenin– Bolshevik leader who seized control of Russia’s government in 1917 communism– an economic and political system based on the idea that social classes and the right to private property should be eliminated Meuse-Argonne Offensive - also known as the Maas-Argonne Offensive and the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a major part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire Western Front. It was fought from September 26, 1918, until the Armistice of 11 November 1918, a total of 47 days.

4. BELL RINGER These questions help students understand aspects of the Western Front. 1. Look at the map on page 688. In what country were most battles of the war on the Western Front fought? 2. About how far were the Germans pushed back by the time of the armistice? How long did that take?

5. Understand the setbacks that the Allies faced in 1917 and 1918. Discover how American forces contributed to the Allied victory. Explain the agreement that ended the fighting. Objectives

6. How did the arrival of American troops in Europe affect the course of the war? After Congress declared war, it took over a year for the U.S. to engage in major battles. American soldiers quickly helped bring about an overwhelming Allied victory.

7. In 1917, U.S. forces prepared to go overseas. The U.S. Army chose John J. Pershing to lead American troops in Europe. He wanted American troops to fight in separate units under U.S. command. This would show the world that the U.S. could stand on its own.

8. RAISING AN ARMY AND A NAVY 1. How did Americans prepare for war? –Government began a draft (Selective Service Act) 2. What part did women and African Americans play in military operations? –Women – served as clerical workers, nurses, interpreters, switch-board operators, entertainers, and ambulance drivers –African Americans – more than 370,000 served; many barred from combat and limited to manual labor and service positions. Faced discrimination.

10. Meanwhile, German submarines attacked ships bringing supplies from the U.S. to the Allies. More than 11 million tons of Allied shipments were destroyed and nearly 14,000 people were killed.

11. Allied naval leaders had destroyers sail in convoy with supply ships for protection. Allied ship losses fell dramatically.

12. AMERICAN SHIPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE 3. How did the Allies respond to German submarine attacks? –Used a convoy system –Laid a barrier of 70,000 mines in the North Sea

13. U.S. troops joined the Allies in June 1917, but the Allies continued to face setbacks. The Italians were defeated by the Central Powers at Caparetto. Russia withdrew from the war and made peace with Germany. In March 1918, Germany broke through the Allied lines.

14. AMERICAN TROOPS ENTER THE WAR 4. How did the arrival of American troops in Europe affect the Allies? –Boosted their morale; U.S. troops were fresh and had higher morale than the Allied troops who had been fighting for three years. 5. What role did American troops play in countering the German offensive in 1918? –American soldiers attacked the French town of Cantigny; within two hours they had taken control from the Germans –Americans held their ground at Château-Thierry

15. Workers should unite to overthrow the ruling class. On November 7, 1917, a radical group called the Bolsheviks seized control of Russia. The new leader, Vladimir Lenin, embraced the ideas of communism. Social classes and private property should be eliminated.

16. Losing Russia was a huge setback for the Allies. Lenin pulled Russia out of the war and made peace with Germany. Russia gave Germany land on the Western Front. Germany moved many troops into its new territory.

17. In March 1918, Germany began a series of attacks called the “peace offensive.” In June, the Germans broke through Allied lines in Belgium and France. U.S. troops arrived to reinforce the Allies. Pershing pledged that U.S. troops would now fight under French command.

18. In July, the Allies defeated the Germans in France. In the summer of 1918, U.S. troops helped turn the tide for the Allies. The Allies began an offensive. By November, they were advancing on Germany.

19. PUSHING THE GERMANS BACK 6. Why was the Second Battle of the Marne a turning point in the war? –The Allies stopped the German advance –From then on, the Americans advanced steadily and caused the Germans to lose all the territory they had gained since the spring. 7. How did American soldiers demonstrate qualities of courage and heroism in the war? –Sergeant York –Eddie Rickenbacker, “ace of aces” –Four African American combat units (369 th, 371 st, 372 nd, and part of the 370 th )

20. Germany’s leaders realized that their cause was lost. They decided to seek an armistice. France and Britain wanted to impose a harsh settlement. President Wilson proposed a peace plan based on international cooperation. France and Britain dictated the terms of the armistice.

21. Pull back its troops from the Western Front Hand over all of its U-boats The Kaiser fled, and Germany became a republic. President Wilson also demanded that Germany’s leader, Kaiser Wilhelm II, step down. Cancel its peace treaty with Russia The terms of the armistice were harsh. Germany was forced to:

22. The armistice took effect at 11 A.M. on November 11, 1918. Soldiers returned home. Millions had been severely wounded. The war had ended. Soldiers could hardly believe it.

23. World War I was the most destructive war history had yet seen. It cost the lives of 10 million military personnel. Some historians believe just as many civilians died.

24. GERMANY STOPS FIGHTING 8. What events made Germany’s surrender likely? –The defeat of Meuse-Argonne –Germany’s navy mutinied –Germany’s allies dropped out –The Kaiser (German emperor) stepped down –November 11, 1918 at 11:00AM – the 11 th hour, of the 11 th day, of the 11 th month 9. What were the costs of the war? –8.5 million soldiers died –21 million were wounded –Millions of civilian deaths from starvation and disease