US Involvement in WW1
United States in WW1 The U.S. Declares War
• April 6,1917-The United States declared war on Germany • War loans form the American government to the Allies was approximately $2 billion Effects-USA
• The USA had entered the war late, and no fighting took place on its soil. As a result, its industries and financial institutions were intact. • Total American military losses were about 116,000 men. Results of Women's Involvement
• American women were allowed to vote in national elections after the 19th amendment in 1920 U.S. Women in WWI
• The United States had 400 nurses during 1916, shooting up to 20,000 by 1918 • 5,000 of these nurses served on the Western front, especially dealing with gas victims • The U.S. Navy and Marines took 11,500 women to replace men, allowing them to serve at the front line African-Americans in WW1
• 400,000 served in uniform, barred from the Marines and given menial tasks in the Navy. • Strong discrimination nationwide during training periods. • 1000,000 were sent overseas, half in combat units, half in support units. Financing the War
• The United States financed its war participation in a number of ways. • Income taxes were increased, and new excise taxes were introduced, raising $11 billion, almost 1/3 of the total needed. • Liberty and Victory bonds were sold to the public, providing another $21 billion. • Interest rates on the bonds were 3.5-4.25%, and inflation was kept low throughout the war. • Towards the end, America was spending almost $44 million a day on the war. • The U.S. loaned its allies approximately $10 billion for war supplies. Re-Organizing The American Economy
• The United States reorganized the sources of labor, supply, and production for the duration of the war. • The War Industries Board allocated materials and expanded production. • The War Labor Board oversaw labor disputes (and prohibited strikes.) • The Railroad Administration put the nation's railways at its disposal, coordinating movements of goods, materials and people. • The Shipping Board oversaw the construction of a "bridge of ships" to transport goods and men overseas. The American Economy (cont'd)
• The Fuel Administration oversaw increased production of oil, coal, and gas. • Introduced daylight savings and "gasless days," generally respected by citizens The Food Administration
• The Food Administration (headed by Herbert Hoover) increased farm output and encouraged public "wheatless" Mondays and "meatless" Tuesdays. America tried substitutes like dogfish, sugarless candy, whale meat, and horse steak. • As a result of "Hooverizing," the U.S. exported 3x its normal amount of breadstuffs, meats, and sugar Laws to Support the War Effort
• The Espionage Act of 1917 (US) made a fine of $10,000 and up to 20 years in prison for anyone convicted of interfering with the draft or encouraged disloyalty • The Sedition Act of 1918 (US) extended the punishments to anyone who interfered with war bond sales, disrupted recruiting, uttering "disloyal or abusive language" about the government, the Constitution, the flag, or the uniform. • 1500 people were arrested, including Socialist presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs. Examples of Bizarre Behavior
4 things people did: • Anti-German violence • Jailing for speaking German • Renamed German measles and sauerkraut • Removed German courses and books • Refused to play German compositions 3 things done as result of laws (Espionage Act/Sedition Act): • Could be fined and imprisoned for Anti-War Activities • Post office censored mail • Socialists imprisoned • Anarchists fined • Labor activists fined/imprisoned Additional U.S. Laws Supporting The War
• State laws were passed prohibiting the teaching of German in schools and colleges • German and Austrian musicians were banned from playing in public and their music was not allowed to be performed Sequence
1914-War Begins 1915-Lucitania Sinks 1916-Wilson Reelected "He kept us out of war" 1917-US enters War Soldiers nicknamed "Doughboys" 1918-US troops go to Europe, fighting stops 1919-Peace Treaty, War ends Lafayette Escadrille-First American Pilots American Expeditionary Force John Pershing-Commander of all Americans in Europe Belleau Wood-Origin of Modern Marine History The United States Army Joins the Fight
• General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing was selected to command the American Expeditionary Force • Arrived in June 1917 to begin planning American involvement The American Army
• Britain and France wanted American troops serve as replacements under their control • Pershing refused; demanding that American go into battle under American control, creating rifts with the Allies • Pershing did get the Allies to create a Supreme War Council to work together Getting Ready to Fight
• Pershing's plans were for an army of a million men to be assembled, shipping to France, and retrained there • First convoy took 56 ships, moving 14,500 men • 1,000 miles of new railway track laid to move the soldiers • 1,500 locomotives and 18,000 railway cars shipped over from the US • 18M tons of supplies would be needed overall Woodrow Wilson's 14 points
• Announced Jan. 1918
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No secret treaties
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Freedom of navigation of the seas
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Reduction of Arms
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Colonies would be adjusted to suit the needs of colonists and owners
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• Others included restoration of Russia, France, and Belgium • Called for an independent Poland • Point 14 called for a world body to settle disputes
American Success
• Americans were thrust into the line, fighting with energy and gusto • In late May, the Army sent its Second and Third Divisions to hold the Marne, defeating the Germans at Chateau-Thierry • During June the U.S. Marines fought at Belleau Wood, which changed hands a dozen times before it was finally settled St. Mihiel-The Birth of Air Power
• U.S. Commander Billy Mitchell led a force of 1400 aircraft in support of ground troops to stop German attacks during the battle, lasting for over a week in September Germany waves a white flag
• October 6: Germany's new chancellor requests and armistice • Germany's forces are under attack in 3 areas • Oct. 27-Ludenoff resigned as head of the army • Revolution broke out in Germany, Oct. 29-Nov. 10 • Negotiations for an armistice Nov.7-11 • Kaiser abdicated the throne on Nov. 9