Americans in World War I: Military and Home Front

April 1917

U.S. had over 100,000 troops, unprepared for war.

General John J. Pershing

Led American forces in Europe, supporting Allies.

Selective Service Act

Authorized drafting men, resulting in 24 million registrations.

Training and Deployment

Draftees trained but often rushed to combat.

U-Boat Threat

April 1917 saw over 400 ships sunk by U-boats.

Convoy Implementation

Merchant ships traveled in groups, protected by destroyers.

369th Infantry Regiment

Known as 'Harlem Hellfighters,' recognized for bravery.

Russian Revolution

Bolsheviks' rise allowed Germany to shift troops west.

Belleau Wood

Site of successful American counterattack against Germans.

Second Battle of the Marne

American forces repelled German offensives in June 1918.

50,000 American casualties

Approximate number of soldiers who died in battle.

War Industries Board

Managed war production, resources, and price fixing.

Increased Opportunities

World War I created jobs for women and minorities.

Great Migration

Over half a million African Americans moved north.

President Wilson's Fourteen Points

Addressed self-determination and proposed League of Nations.

Paris Peace Conference

1919 meeting with leaders from major Allied nations.

Treaty of Versailles

Imposed $33 billion reparations on Germany post-war.

Economic Mobilization

Efforts to support war through resource management.

Naval Support

Congress provided supplies and loans, not troops.

Combat Preparation

Draftees often lacked adequate training before deployment.

Segregated Units

African American soldiers served in separate military units.