WWI Notes: American Involvement and Key Events (Comprehensive)

Most Americans opposed Kaiser Wilhelm’s autocratic rule but aimed to stay neutral in World War I to protect trade and the economy. Neutrality was pursued to keep strong economic ties by trading with all combatants.
Preparedness Movement (1900s/1914) sought to strengthen the U.S. military for defensive purposes while maintaining neutrality.
The German U-boat (submarine) introduced a terrifying new form of warfare that Americans viewed as uncivilized, contributing to anti-German sentiment.
Germany’s decision to pursue unrestricted submarine warfare against all enemy ships shifted American attitudes toward entering the war.

The Lusitania: On May $7$ , $1915$ , a German U-boat attacked the British liner Lusitania, sinking it in 18 minutes.
- Death toll: $1{,}200$ passengers, of whom $128$ were American.
The sinking provoked protests from President Woodrow Wilson and calls to compensate victims’ families and halt submarine warfare.

Sussex Pledge: On March $24$ , $1916$ , Germany sank another ship (the French ship Sussex), killing $25$ Americans.
To quell outrage and preserve neutrality, Germany promised to warn ships before attacking (the Sussex Pledge).
Germany violated the pledge by February $1$ , $1917$ , by resuming submarine warfare.
The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Germany on February $3$ , $1917$ .

Zimmerman Note: German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmerman sent an encrypted telegram to Mexico urging war against the U.S. in exchange for help regaining lost territory.
The revelation of the Zimmerman Note contributed to the U.S. decision to enter the war.
As submarine warfare intensified, more American ships were attacked, pushing the U.S. toward involvement.
U.S. President Wilson urged Congress to act; on $April o$ , $2$ , $1917$ , Congress passed a war resolution; Wilson signed the resolution on $April$ $6$ , $1917$ , entering World War I.

Wilson sent troops to Europe as the American Expeditionary Force (AEF).
The AEF was commanded by General John J. Pershing, a veteran of the Spanish-American War.
The U.S. was initially unprepared to field a large army capable of fighting in trench warfare on the European front.

Selective Service Act passed in May $1917$ authorizing a draft of young men for military service.
Eligibility: men aged $21$ – $30$ had to register for the draft.
Registration and induction:
- $24{,}000{,}000$ American men registered.
- About $3{,}000{,}000$ were called into service.
Public sentiment: there was broad support for the draft and wartime mobilization.
The infantrymen were nicknamed “Doughboys,” a term dating back to the Civil War era and associated with dumpling-shaped buttons on Union uniforms.

African Americans: $367{,}000$ served in the war; $42{,}000$ fought in France.
Discrimination and segregation:
- Black soldiers were often assigned to labor battalions and support roles rather than front-line combat.
- They were segregated from white troops; there were very few Black officers.
- Training and equipment could be inadequate.
Harlem Hell Fighters (369th Infantry Regiment): an all-Black regiment loaned to the French Army.
- They fought valiantly and were awarded France’s highest combat medal for their service.

Russia’s role and hesitation: Americans were uneasy about allying with Russia due to its autocratic Empire under the Czar.
Czar Nicholas II abdicated; a republican government led by Alexander Kerensky took over for a period (Revolution in Russia Part 1).
Bolshevik Revolution (Part 2): Lenin and the Bolsheviks seized control in October 1917 and led Russia to withdraw, promising peace with Germany.
Consequences of Russian withdrawal: freed Germany to focus on the Western Front (France and Great Britain) by ending the two-front war.

With Russia out, German forces redirected their efforts toward the Western Front, pushing toward Paris.
American troops arrived under Allied command and played a crucial role in stopping the German advance.
Battle of Chateau-Thierry: American forces halted the German push and began to turn the tide of the war; the Allies halted the Germans and began to push back.
Casualty note: America sustained heavy losses during this phase of the fighting.

The Tank: A British innovation designed to cross trenches and barbed wire while withstanding some fire.
Tanks supported infantry advances and helped breach German lines by breaking through defenses ahead of foot troops.

Part 1: Corporal Alvin York
- Initially a conscientious objector to the war.
- York’s squad attacked a pivotal German machine-gun nest.
- He killed $25$ Germans and captured $132$ with only his rifle and pistol.
Part 2: Eddie Rickenbacker
- A celebrated fighter pilot.
- He defeated Germany’s famous “Flying Circus,” a squadron led by the Red Baron.

The Battle of Saint-Mihiel: The first major American-led military operation entirely in American hands.
Pershing’s forces pushed Germany out of their entrenched positions, causing German retreat.
Allied use of airplanes: Bombing runs and aerial dogfights complemented ground operations.

The Allies continued to press for total surrender; Germany sought peace.
Armistice signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month: $11$ November $1918$ .
Kaiser Wilhelm fled to Holland as the war ended.

Casualties and losses:
- An estimated $8{,}000{,}000$ soldiers and sailors were killed in World War I.
- On average, about $5{,}000$ soldiers were killed per day during the war.
- Allied Powers (often labeled as Entente Powers) lost about $5{,}700{,}000$ soldiers.
- Central Powers lost around $4{,}000{,}000$ soldiers.
- The United States lost about $50{,}000$ soldiers.
Civilians and postwar devastation:
- Widespread civilian deaths from starvation, disease (influenza), and war-related injuries.
Genocide: Armenian Campaign
- During and after the war, hundreds of thousands of Armenians were killed or deported by Ottoman authorities.
- Casualty estimates range from $800{,}000$ to $1{,}500{,}000$ .
- The genocide extended into the early 1920s, illustrating the war’s long-term humanitarian impact.