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Americans on the European Front

Americans on the European Front. Section 3. Preparing for War. Unprepared. Draft. 24 million Americans sign up for draft 3 million would be drafted Americans supported this draft. 100,000 men in uniform Outranked in size by 16 other countries National Guard needed training (132,000).

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Americans on the European Front

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  1. Americans on the European Front Section 3

  2. Preparing for War Unprepared Draft 24 million Americans sign up for draft 3 million would be drafted Americans supported this draft • 100,000 men in uniform • Outranked in size by 16 other countries • National Guard needed training (132,000)

  3. Originally published as the cover for the July 6, 1916, issue of Leslie's Weekly with the title "What Are You Doing for Preparedness?" • portrait of "Uncle Sam" went on to become--according to its creator, James Montgomery Flagg--"the most famous poster in the world.“ • Over four million copies were printed between 1917 and 1918, as the United States entered World War I and began sending troops and matériel into war zones.

  4. Draftees and Volunteers • Congress passed a Selective Service Act in May 1917, authorizing a draft. • Volunteers and National Guardsmen made up the remainder of what was called the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). • Over 14,000 women served abroad • Nurses, drivers and clerks

  5. Training for War • Many soldiers were new to the armed forces and needed to learn how to dig trenches and fight with bayonets and modern weapons.

  6. Convoy System • Starting in May 1917, all merchant and troop ships traveled in a convoy. • Successful in carrying American troops to Europe.

  7. Soldiers in Europe • 300,000 Africans Americans were drafted, but served in segregated units • Most never saw combat, but had 4,000 dead and wounded during the war • Hell fighters earned France’s highest combat medal • Croix de Guerre

  8. Turning the Tide of War • As America involvement in the war expanded, events in Russia shook the alliance. • Lenin followers (Bolsheviks) overthrew government. • Lenin signed truce with Germany and a final peace treaty. • Germany won territories in Western Russia that included much of the country’s industry and farmland.

  9. Most importantly Russia’s exit freed the Germans from the two front war they had been forced to fight. • After the final German offensive faltered, American troops helped the British and French push the Germans back across land Germany had held since the start of the war.

  10. America saves Paris • Early 1918 Germans break through French and British lines, come within 50 miles of Paris • Gen. Pershing and U.S marines retake cities outside of Paris • At the loss of over half their troops, the U.S saved Paris

  11. Allied Counterattack War in the Air Entered war with only 55 planes They now manufactured 100’s to use in bombing raids on supply routes Ineffective, but frightening • 250,000 American troops arriving in France each month • Using a new weapon, the tank, allies break German lines

  12. Ending the War • The battle would soon go onto German soil and troop morale depleted • The final Allied push towards the German border began on October 17, 1918. • As the British, French and American armies advanced, the alliance between the Central Powers began to collapse.

  13. At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ends. • At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, lack of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside France. • The First World War left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded, with Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, and Great Britain each losing nearly a million or more lives. In addition, at least five million civilians died from disease, starvation, or exposure.

  14. Casualties and Sickness Influenza Results of War 50,000 Am. Dead from war Much more from the flu 8 million soldiers dead Sick and wounded outnumbered the dead • Spring 1918 Influenza kills more people than the war did • 500,000 Americans dead from flu • 30 million people worldwide

  15. Farmer’s wearing masks

  16. LaGrippe (influenza) • “When brought to the hospital the men develop the most vicious type of pneumonia ever seen….. Two hours after admission they have mahogany spots all over their cheek bones…. It is only a matter of hours then until death comes, and it is a struggle for air until they suffocate…. It’s horrible.” • Anonymous doctor during WWI

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