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World War I: The U.S. in the War. Military Situation. For the Allies : French/British running out of troops British ships being sunk at an alarming rate by U-boats Italians suffering reverses Russia appears to be on their way out of the war. For the U.S. : Needed to mobilize for war
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Military Situation • For the Allies: • French/British running out of troops • British ships being sunk at an alarming rate by U-boats • Italians suffering reverses • Russia appears to be on their way out of the war • For the U.S.: • Needed to mobilize for war • Only120,000 enlisted & 80,000 Nat. Guard • Needed to train & equip millions (Selective Service Act) • Can’t influence war until large # of troops get to Europe
Military Situation (Cont’d) • Based on the map, why would Russia leaving the war present a major problem for the Allies?
Americans in the Fight • American Expeditionary Force (AEF) – • led by General John J. Pershing • Many drafted, many sign up • “War to End All Wars” • “Doughboys” – nickname, named for buttons on uniforms • Segregation in Armed Services – AAs volunteered & drafted • Enter fight in 1918, kept as separate fighting unit
Americans in the Fight(cont’d) • On the Sea: • Convoy System – groups of ships sailing together, protected by warships • successful transportation of U.S. troops/supplies • significantly reduced U-boats effectiveness • On Land– • Germans mount offensive (1918) in attempt to defeat Allies before the Americans coming can make a difference – Germans within 56 miles of Paris • Halted with help of American troops – Save Paris • Allied Counterattack • Newer British tanks with Am. Troops begin to break German lines • Allies take the “Hindenburg Line” – Germany’s strongest defense line • Sept. 26 – Final assault – over 1 million AEF troops move Germans out of France • Beginning of the end – cut supply lines • http://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-i/world-war-i-in-1918.htm#
Armistice “The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month” • Armistice – ceasefire • November 11, 1918 at 11:00 – the fighting stops What Effects did the U.S. have on the War?
Casualties in WWI • Who from the Central Powers had the most dead? The most wounded? • Who from the Allied Powers had the most dead? The most wounded? • What percentage of soldiers mobilized ended up as casualties for the Allied Powers? For the Central Powers? • How many Americans were killed? Wounded? • What problems/difficulties might arise in creating the peace between these nations?