Exploring American History Unit VII- The Beginning of Modern America Chapter 23 Section 3 Americans in World War I

Americans in World War I The Big Idea American troops helped the Allies achieve victory in World War I. Main Ideas American soldiers started to arrive in Europe in 1917. The Americans helped the Allies win the war. Germany agreed to an armistice after suffering heavy losses.

America Joins the Ranks- 4:17

Main Idea 1: American soldiers started to arrive in Europe in 1917. Americans joined the fight in Europe in 1917 as a force separate from the other Allied units. U.S. troops were known as the American Expeditionary Force Led by General John J. Pershing Thoroughly trained for combat before reaching front lines Included regular army and National Guard troops, volunteers, and draftees

The Doughboys: Training the Troops (03:13)

American Expeditionary Force (AEF)- 1 min.

Arriving in Europe The American Army, National Guard, and volunteer and draft soldiers overseas formed the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), led by General John J. Pershing. The first U.S. troops arrived in France in 1917 through a convoy system, in which troop-transport ships were surrounded by destroyers or cruisers for protection, limiting the number of ships sunk and troops lost. When America arrived, Germany occupied all of Belgium and part of France, and Russia struggled against famine and civil war. If Russia fell, Germans would bring all their troops west, and the Allies needed the Americans to fight immediately. General Pershing, however, wanted American troops to train and to fight separately from European regiments. Pershing sent his troops to training camps in eastern France instead of to the battlefields.

The Convoy Crosses the Atlantic (03:37)

American Expeditionary Force (AEF) May 1918 Doughboys-The name may have come from the large brass buttons on the uniforms of Union soldiers in the Civil War; they were said to resemble doughboys, a flour dumpling cooked in soup. Or the pipe clay dough used to clean their belts. Or perhaps men covered in clay dust. Or the way they cooked their rations. 2nd and 3rd Divisions fight at Belleau Wood and Chateau-Thierry. Argonne Forest. 85,000 American help save Paris General John J. (Black Jack) Pershing has an army of 1/2 million on the Southern Front. Oct. 1918- Battle of Sedan- American Victory. British and French Lines begin to advance. German mistake- Americans were late but made a difference. U.S. lost 50,280 men, and 25,000 to disease. 42,000 Black troop fought in French units. Russia, England and France lost over 4 million total. 1 million other countries. Armistice- November 11, 1918- 11th hour, 11th day of the 11th month.

Russia Leaves the War Revolution in Russia November 1917: a group of Russians known as the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian government. Bolsheviks were Communists– people who favor the equal distribution of wealth and the end of all forms of private property. New Government Led by Vladimir Lenin Knew the war had reached a desperate point Around 8 million Russians had already been killed. Soldiers were deserting. Food riots raged in cities. March 1918: Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers, taking itself out of World War I.

Vladimir Lenin in Russia: The Architect of Socialism [03:01]

American Soldiers Arrive Recall- What were U.S. Troops known as? Explain – What condition led to the Russian pullout?

Main Idea 2: The Americans helped the Allies win the war. With Russia gone, Germany planned to smash the stalemate. American soldiers arrived on the front. Germans made an advance, but were unprepared for the fresh, well-trained American forces and were driven back. July 1918– German forces launch final offensive Attempted to cross the Marne River Terrible losses forced them to stop. American troops helped force a major turning point in the war.

Winning the War Recall- Which side had an advantage after the Russian pullout? Identify Cause and Effect – How did the Germans respond to the Russian pullout?

Winning the War Recall- When did Greece join the Allied Powers? Evaluate – Why do you suppose the Allied victories happened in the same geographic location?

Allies drove toward victory after the failed German advance. Main Idea 3: Germany agreed to an armistice after suffering heavy losses. Allies drove toward victory after the failed German advance. More than 1 million U.S. troops in France Began winning victories against German forces By November 1918, American soldiers were making rapid advance toward Germany.

Winning the War Identify- What led to the death of German civilians near the end of the war? Evaluate – Should the Kaiser have fled to the Netherlands? Explain.

Germany Defeated At home and on the battlefield, Germans were tired of war. Food shortages Riots and strikes Shortage of soldiers Germany’s allies were also eager to end the war. Austria-Hungary reached a peace accord with the Allies on November 3, 1918. Seeing his country was beaten, German leader Kaiser Wilhelm II fled to Holland. Germany agreed to an armistice, or truce, on November 11, 1918.

Black Troops: a Segregated Force (01:14)

Armistice Recall- What did the “Harlem Hellfighters” do that no other American force achieved? Make Generalizations – What quality of the 369 Infantry caused France to award them the Croix de Guerre?

World War I: Journalists Tell the Official Story (03:04)