1. Woodrow Wilson speaking to Congress
America Declares War
April 2nd 1917
Woodrow Wilson speaking to Congress

2. Main Idea
The United States mobilized a large army and navy to help the Allies achieve victory.

3. America Mobilizes
Selective Service Act – a law enacted in 1917 that required men to register for military service
24 million men registered
3 million of those were called into action
2 million reached Europe before end of war
400,000 African-Americans

4. Mass Production
United States had to find a way to transport men, food, and equipment to Europe
4 steps to get this done:
1. exempted many shipyard workers from the draft
2. used a public relations campaign to stress the importance of shipbuilding
3. used fabrication construction techniques
4. government took control of private ships for transatlantic duty

5. America Turns the Tide
Convoy system – the protection of merchant ships from U-Boat attacks by having the ships travel in large groups escorted by warships
Besides just the U.S. numbers, their enthusiasm was very much needed for the Allies’ troops

6. American Expeditionary Force
Led by General John J. Pershing
U.S. forces that fought with the Allies in Europe

7. The Myth

8. The Reality

9. Trench warfare
As early as 1915, the western front had become a stalemate.
Both sides had dug in to their respective trenches
Machine Guns cause the stalemate in trenches

11. New Weapons The machine gun and tanks changed the nature of war
As planes became faster and better equipped they were used more and more toward the end of the war

12. New Weapons – The Tank

13. Large Artillery

14. Poison Gas

15. Airplane

16. Submarines

17. New Hazards and Terrible Injuries
Surrounded by filth, lice, rats, and dirty water
Trench foot
Trench mouth
Poison gas
Shell shock
Mental break downs
burns

18. American Troops Go on the Offensive
2nd Battle of Marne – turning point in the war
The Allies were able to steadily advance on the Central Powers’ forces
July15-Aug. 6, 1918

19. American Troops go on the Offensive
Battle of the Argonne Forest
Last major battle – Sept. 26 – Nov. 11, 1918
Totally cuts off German supply lines

20. Alvin York – Sergeant York
Conscientious objector – a person who opposes warfare on moral grounds
Eventually decided it was morally ok if the cause was just
Became an American hero

21. The Collapse of Germany
November of 1918
Germany was too exhausted to continue the war
An armistice was signed
Armistice – truce that ended the fighting
Signed on the 11th Hour, of the 11th Day of the 11th Month. (November 11, 1918)

22. The Final Toll 22 Million people died (more than half civilians)
20 Million people wounded
Cost of war - $338 Billion
US Loses
48,000 died in battle
62,000 died from disease
200,000 wounded