1. The United States Joins the War

2. What Do You Need to Go to War?
Soldiers
Supplies
Weapons & Ammo
Training

3. Selective Service Act Passed on May 18, 1917
All men ages required to register for draft
Some tried to object based on religion/beliefs
Those who objected may be imprisoned, or given opportunities to do other services
*Still exists today- Ages must register

4. “We were cursed, beaten, kicked, and compelled to go through exercises to the extent that a few were unconscious for some minutes. They kept it up for the greater part of the afternoon, and then those who could possibly stand on their feet were compelled to take cold shower baths. One of the boys was scrubbed with a scrubbing brush using lye on him. They drew blood in several places.
-Mennonite from Camp Lee, Virginia, United States, 16 July 1918”

5. Discrimination in the Military during WWI
Regiments were segregated
African Americans were not allowed to train with weapons
Latinos were be given the lower tasks

6. 369th Infantry- Harlem Hell Fighters
42,000 African Americans fought in WWI
Served 191 days in the trenches
Awarded France’s award for bravery

7. When the United States entered the war in 1917, Germany increased U-boat attacks, hoping to win the war before American troops could make a difference.
Convoys of British and American ships, protected by warships, provided better safety at sea. 7

8. The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Led by General John J. Pershing
Soldiers from the regular army, National Guard, and a force of volunteers & draftees
Fought on the Western Front

9. American Troops to Europe
First troops arrived in June 1917
Spent almost a year training in Europe
Key part of saving Paris from Germany
Fought from Spring of 1918-November 1918

10. The arrival of American soldiers gave the Allies a military advantage.
General John J. Pershing turned millions of untrained American men into soldiers, then led them in France.
The arrival of American soldiers gave the Allies a military advantage.
They fought bravely in many battles.
By the end of the war, 1.3 million Americans had served at the front. More than 50,000 of them died. 10

11. The war took a huge toll on those involved.
Nearly 5 million Allied soldiers and 8 million Central Powers soldiers were killed in the fighting.
In addition, 6.5 million civilians died during the conflict.

14. The Armistice Is Signed
Peace agreement to stop fighting
Signed on November 11, 1918 ( 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918)
Germany had to surrender all aircrafts, U-boats, heavy artillery. Also had to allow Allied troops into parts of the country