U.S. Involvement in WWI

1. U.S. Involvement in WWI

2. Fear of Communism and anti-democracy • From WWI on the United States will be paranoid about communism and anything that is anti-democracy • Much of foreign policy will be decided based on this fear • Espionage Act- • Any American who voices their communist views or is believed to be giving secrets to the enemy can be arrested and imprisoned

3. Economic Boost • Entry into the war singlehandedly boosted the American economy with the provisions that were being sent to Europe. • Weapons and supplies being sent to Europe created a strong and lasting domestic and foreign trade alliance with Europe • War bonds and posters raised more money for the effort than any other period in U.S. history

6. The first effective draft • Within a few months of the draft being passed the military grew to 4 million • Women and African Americans were admitted into the military • African Americans served in segregated units and under white officers • Recruits were suppose to receive 6 months of training in U.S. and two more in Europe, many didn’t

7. Battlefield Deaths • Disease • Sexually transmitted diseases were prevalent • Good poisoning from rotten food • Water born diseases • Insect and rat transmitted diseases • Injuries from war • Barbed wire • Gun shot wounds • Amputations • Poison gas • Trench foot- prolonged exposure to moisture • Trench mouth- not being able to brush your teeth • Total Casualties: 35 million • 15 million deaths • 20 million wounded

8. Trench Warefare The German Army's invasion of France in 1914 outpaced its supply lines. When the advance was finally halted, both sides dug in. The Western Front became a stalemate. Frontal assaults, nighttime raids, artillery barrages, mortars, and snipers were constant threats from the enemy. However, the horrendous and unsanitary conditions in the trenches presented an unforeseen enemy. Disease, vermin, mud, and smell of thousands of men living and dying in close quarters, tormented soldiers. Dysentery, typhus, cholera, gangrene, and "trench fever" claimed many lives. Life in the trenches was an endless cycle of nighttime maneuvers and raids. Snipers and artillery fire during the day often separated long periods of boredom. At dawn and dusk, soldiers were ordered to 'stand to' in case of an enemy assault. Chores, inspections, writing letters, or playing cards filled the day. Soldiers slept when they could. The tedium of this routine was abandoned when the order came to go "over the top." World War I trenches were a system of fortifications supported by machine guns and artillery. A front line trench would be connected to the rear by a series of support trenches allowing supplies and men to be moved forward without exposure to enemy fire. Trench Warfare

12. The stretch of land between the front line trenches was dangerous. No Man's Land contained miles of barbed wire, hundreds of corpses, and land mines. Sometimes as narrow as 15 yards or as wide as several hundred yards, No Man's Land was heavily guarded by machine gun and sniper fire. Soldiers were forced to cross No Man's Land to advance or scout for enemy positions. Official truces were often necessary to retrieve the wounded or bury the dead. No Man’s Land

14. Subs Tanks Gatling guns Machine guns Poison gas New weapons of War

16. The Dough Boy • The term doughboy was widely used to describe U.S. Army Infantrymen during the First World War. There were more infantry soldiers than soldiers in the artillery and cavalry branches of the U.S. Army. Helmet — Model 1917World War I was the first conflict in which soldiers were issued steel helmets. The helmet was not designed to stop a bullet, but rather to protect the soldier from shrapnel. • Wool Uniform — Olive Drab (OD)By the time the United States entered World War I, the U.S. Army adopted an olive color for its uniforms. Wool proved an ideal material in the rainy climate of France. • Gas Mask Bag The gas mask bag was worn suspended from a soldier's neck. In the event of a gas attack, the soldier placed the enclosed mask over his face and the box charcoal filter remained suspended in the gas mask bag. • 10 Pocket Cartridge Belt — Model 1910Each pocket could hold two 5-round magazines for an M1903 Springfield, an M1917 Enfield, or the British Lee-Enfield Rifle. • First Aid Pouch — Model 1910The M1910 first aid pouch contains two field bandages sealed in a brass container. These dressings were intended for the initial treatment of wounds until a medic could reach the wounded soldier. • The Mark 1 Lee-Enfield Rifle .303 CaliberThe standard British Army weapon of the First World War. When New York's 27th Division was assigned to the British Army, many of its soldiers were equipped with this type of rifle rather than the American M1903 Springfield or M1917 Enfield. • PutteesWhen the United States entered World War I, the Army issued canvas leggings. These provided very little in the way of warmth and comfort in the damp conditions the troops encountered in the trenches of the Western Front. Leather was impractical because its smooth surface created suction in deep mud, making movement difficult. As a result, the U.S. Army adopted the wool spiral puttee used by the British Army.

17. Facing the Line • The Hindenburg Line was Germany's impressively armed defensive line. Built during the winter of 1916—1917, the line was a ten miles-deep series of trenches, anti-tank ditches, tunnels, concrete machine gun nests, and barbed wire. Many in Germany believed the Hindenburg Line was impenetrable.