The Course and Conduct of World War I
War When you hear the word WAR what comes to your mind? Is it adventure? Is it a sense of excitement? Is it appealing because it is a risky decision? Is it an opportunity?
A War of Firsts First time the government agreed to commit large numbers of American Soldiers to a distant war. Planes were used to attack Heavy Artillery Howitzers vs. Big Berthas Tanks Machine Guns Trenches Trench foot Chemical Weapons Modern Battleships Heavily armed and armored
A War of Firsts for the U.S. The Nation’s First Selective Service System Selective Service Act Prior to war, volunteer army with low pay and poor equipment Created the first national draft (men ages 21 to 30 were required to register) 2.9 million drafted and 2 million volunteered
The Military At the onset of the war the Americans only had a volunteer army of about 100,000 troops. Congress will pass the Selective Service Act – created the national draft. Received low pay and lacked equipment. Almost no combat experience 400,000 African Americans will join the armed forces At first, black Soldiers were not allowed to become officers. Separate training camps were set up. Most black Soldiers served under white officers in labor or supply units. 369 th Regiment operated under the French command.
New Policies Pass Congress June 1917, Congress passed the Espionage Act and in May 1918 added an amendment to it, usually called the Sedition Act. The Espionage Act provided for a fine up to $10,000 and a prison term of twenty years for anyone who interfered with the draft or encouraged disloyalty. The Sedition Act provided the same penalty for anyone who interfered with or obstructed the sale of United States bonds, incited insubordination, or discouraged recruiting, or who would "willfully utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the American form of government, the flag, or uniform or the services, or who would bring the form of government or the Constitution into contempt, or advocate any curtailment of production in this country of anything necessary or essential to the production of the war. Postmaster General, instituted a censorship which denied mailing privileges to "subversive" publications
Russians Exit Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 will assist in turning Russia into the Soviet Union. 1918 the Russians, Germans, and Austrians will agree to the Treaty of Brest – Litovsk Russian will give up large amounts of territory, including Finland, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Closed the Eastern Front Beginning of the increased tensions between Soviet Union and the West
American Expeditionary Force (AEF) American forces were desperately needed on the battlefield. Nicknamed “the doughboys.” General John J. Pershing was the commander Allied units asked General Pershing to replace men killed or wounded in action with American troops; Pershing will deny this request. Disagreed with Allied military strategy – defensive war from the trenches. Wanted a more forceful and offensive approach. U.S. could demand a greater role in the peacemaking process if the AEF did well as a separate Army. Mostly an infantry unit who fought on foot.
War Draws To A Close In 1918 Germany will launch a final offensive to end the war in the west. Battle of the Marne – July 15 – August August 8 the Allied forces counterattacked. Late September the Allies will launch the Meuse – Argonne Offensive. Six weeks of hard fighting through the Argonne Forrest the Americans punched through Germany’s main supply and communication line. November 11, 1918 Germany will agree to an armistice.
Staggering Stats 8 Million Soldiers were KIA. 21 million were WIA Millions of civilians in Europe died from starvation, diseases, and other war-related causes. Horrific damage to farms, forests, factories, towns, and homes. Destroyed roads, bridges, railroad lines, and other transportation facilities Countries already severely burdened by financial cost of the war now had to weigh fixing their countries infrastructure.