World War I and U.S. Involvement

World War I Overview

A. Conclusion of World War I

  1. By September 1918, Germany lost all territorial gains made since spring.

  2. Meuse-Argonne Offensive

    • Date: September 1918

    • Significance: Final battle of World War I.

    • Participation: 1.2 million U.S. soldiers involved.

    • Casualties: 26,000 American soldiers died.

    • Geographic Impact: Drove German forces back between the Argonne Forest and the Meuse River.

    • Status: By November, Germany was retreating.

  3. Harry S. Truman's Role

    • Truman distinguished himself in military service during this period.

B. Notable War Heroes

  1. Sergeant York

    • Achievement: Medal of Honor winner.

    • Significance: The highest military award given to personnel.

  2. Eddie Rickenbacker

    • Achievement: Ace pilot, also a Medal of Honor winner.

C. African-American Combat Units

  1. Notably served longer on the front lines.

  2. Fought primarily under French commanders.

  3. Received France's highest military honor, Croix de Guerre.

D. Steps to the End of the War

  1. General Ludendorff advised the German government to seek peace.

  2. In November 1918, the German navy mutinied, signaling discontent within the military.

  3. German allies began dropping out of the conflict.

  4. In November, the German Kaiser stepped down from power.

  5. Armistice Agreement

    • Date: November 11, 1918, at 11:00 AM

    • Significance: Germany agreed to cease fighting, marking the end of hostilities.

E. Human Cost of War

  1. Total military casualties estimated at 8.5 million deaths and 21 million wounded.

  2. Civilian casualties also included deaths from starvation and disease due to wartime destruction.

II. America Joins the Fight (Chapter 24, Section 2)

A. Raising the Army & Navy

  1. Selective Service Act

    • Date: May 1917

    • Requirement: Males aged 21-30 must register for the draft.

    • Outcome: 3 million drafted by the end of 1918.

  2. American Expeditionary Force (AEF)

    • Leadership: Commanded by General John Pershing.

    • Deployment: 2 million American forces sent to France.

  3. Troops' Engagement: Most U.S. troops fought independently, though some served alongside Allies.

  4. Involvement of Women

    • Role: First time women served in military roles, including nurses, clerical workers, and ambulance drivers.

  5. African American Soldiers

    • Total served: 400,000.

    • Discrimination: Faced discrimination in the U.S., but were well-regarded by European counterparts.

    • Notable units: Two significant African American combat units.

B. Naval Contributions

  1. American Naval Strategy

    • Focus: Stop German U-boat attacks.

  2. Convoy System

    • Initiation: Began May 1917.

    • Strategy: Merchant ships were escorted in groups across the Atlantic by destroyers and airplanes.

  3. Minefields

    • Location: Stretching 180 miles in the North Sea, protecting convoy routes.

C. Entry into the War

  1. Timeline

    • Initial entry: June 1917, with the majority of troops arriving in 1918.

    • Key battles:

      • American forces arrived to halt Germans who were only 50 miles from Paris.

      • Victory at Cantigny, France (originally occupied by Germans).

      • American forces successfully held territory at Chateau-Thierry, assisting the French in stopping the German advance.

  2. General Pershing's Leadership

    • Commanded American forces effectively throughout the conflict.

    • Allied Commander: General Foch ordered Pershing to launch an offensive to recapture Belleau Wood, resulting in significant casualties but showcasing American resolve.

D. Pushing Back Against German Forces

  1. Second Battle of the Marne - summer of 1918

    • Context: A critical turning point where Germans pressed against the French lines.

    • Outcome: After 3 days of fierce fighting, American forces helped halt the German advance.

  2. Allied Progress

    • Following the halt of German advances, Allied troops made gradual advancements for the duration of the war.

III. Spanish-American War Overview (1898)

A. Background of the Conflict

  1. Context: Conflict between the United States and Spain that concluded Spanish colonial rule in the Americas.

  2. Result: U.S. acquisition of territories in both the western Pacific and Latin America.

  3. Origin: Sparked by the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain, which began in February 1895.

    • U.S. Public Sentiment: Media coverage portrayed Spain's harsh treatment of Cubans, swaying American public opinion in favor of intervention.

  4. Trigger Incident

    • Date: February 15, 1898

    • Event: The unexplained sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor heightened calls for U.S. intervention to protect its citizens and property.

B. U.S. Actions Leading to War

  1. Spain declared an armistice on April 9, 1898, accelerating plans for limited self-government in Cuba.

  2. U.S. Congressional Response

    • Resolutions declared Cuba's right to independence.

    • Demanded the withdrawal of Spanish troops and authorized the U.S. President to use force to ensure it, while renouncing any intention to annex Cuba.

IV. United States Imperialism (Late 1800's to World War I)

A. Territories and Acquisitions

  1. Overview: Key territories still associated with the U.S. during this period.

    • Alaska: Purchased and became a state in 1959.

    • Midway Island: Acquired for use as a coaling station.

    • American Samoa: Serves as a coaling station.

    • Hawaii: Business interests led to the removal of the Hawaiian queen; became a state in 1959.

    • Wake Island: Acquired territory.

    • Guam: Became a U.S. territory post-Spanish American War.

    • Philippines: Acquired as a U.S. territory after the Spanish American War and gained independence in 1946.

    • Cuba: Designated a U.S. protectorate after the Spanish American War and the Platt Amendment, which ended post-Fidel Castro's takeover.

    • Howland Island and Johnston Island: Acquired territories.

    • Puerto Rico: Gained as a U.S. territory; citizens are U.S. citizens with the right to vote on statehood.

V. Post-War Considerations

A. Treaty of Versailles Discussion

  1. Student Opinions: Should the U.S. Senate have ratified the Treaty of Versailles?

    • Discussion should be underpinned by facts and considerations for effectiveness and implications of the treaty.

  2. Wilson's Peace Philosophy

    • Definition: "Peace without victory"

    • Context: Wilson insisted that no nation emerge from the war as the clear victor or loser, opposing harsh treatment of Germany with a vision to prevent future conflicts caused by resentment over the treaty terms.

B. Political Events and Rights Vulnerability

  1. Palmer Raids

    • Context: Series of raids led by U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer targeting suspected radicals and anarchists.

    • Rights Violated: Conducted without search warrants, which violated Fourth Amendment rights, leading to the arrest of about 6,000 individuals.

  2. Sacco and Vanzetti Case

    • Background: Italian immigrant anarchists tried for armed robbery and murder.

    • Outcome: Executed in an electric chair; their trial raised questions about their guilt versus bias against their political beliefs.

C. Desire for Normalcy after the Turmoil

  1. Return to Stability: Post-war America desired a return to “normalcy” due to exhaustion from various conflicts:

    • Racial riots.

    • Labor strikes.

    • The Red Scare.

    • Debates surrounding the League of Nations.

    • The impacts of World War I itself.