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Mind If We Cut In?. World War I Lesson four Us Enters the war. Life in the US During this Time. While war in Europe continued US was relieved not to be in. Didn’t have to think about it; other side of Atlantic Ocean.
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Mind If We Cut In? World War I Lesson four Us Enters the war
Life in the US During this Time While war in Europe continued US was relieved not to be in. Didn’t have to think about it; other side of Atlantic Ocean. Only concern for avg. citizen is that is the place where family came from. Not enough to want to be in the war. President Woodrow Wilson, elected in 1912, happy to not be in it too. He was Democratic candidate who ran against incumbent, Howard Taft and the third party, Bull Moose Party, candidate Theodore Roosevelt.
Life in US cont. Roosevelt and Taft split votes allowing Wilson, a former professor and college president, to win election. Wilson re-elected in 1916 on slogan “He kept us out of war.” Tides seemed to be turning and US would not stay out of war if attacked or provoked.
First Incident that angered Americans One action that seemed most horrendous to US was the attacks on civilian ships by the U-Boats. U-Boats notorious for blowing ships headed to Britain out of sea. On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania was sun by U-Boats killing around 1200 people, of whom over 100 were Americans. It was a British passenger liner headed from New York to Britain. Before left port, German gov’t placed a notice in the New York papers warning any citizen about to board a ship with supplies on it would be sunk.
First Incident cont. Many Americans outraged, but Germany defended actions claiming boat had supplies and ammunition aboard. Almost one year later, a French ship, the Sussex, was sunk taking more American lives. Germany said it wouldn’t target ocean liners or passenger ships headed towards Europe; however this only lasted a year. Eventually in 1917, the once again waged unrestricted warfare on seas.
Second Incident that angered Americans Great Britain said that it had intercepted a telegram from Germany to Mexico in which Germany promised to give Mexico back the land it lost in the Mexican-American war. This land now split into many states including parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. This was seen as direct challenge to US. Some historians believe that Germany never wrote that telegram, rather Allies trying to get US in war to help them. This was called the Zimmerman Note. Whatever real truth, US declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
Second Incident cont. In his address to Congress, President Wilson tells them and the nation it was the duty of the US to make the “world safe for democracy.” Felt that Germany was a threat to democracy around the world that must be stopped. The US had to take part in this action. This changed course of war.
American in the War The US named General John J. Perishing as leader of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Made name for himself in the Spanish American War. Ready to lead troops into Europe, but didn’t want to rush Americans into battle and have them slaughtered. Took his time training the AEF and made sure ready to fight in their first action. One thing needed was an army. US set up the Selective Service Act to make sure had large force. Was a conscription act~ forced people to join military.
American in War cont. Second thing army needed was money to pay for the war. The gov’t sold Liberty Bonds to help pay for cost. With money and trained troops, off to Europe. American troops given nickname Doughboys. Different stories of how name came to be. It was said term for infantry men used by cavalry officers. Union soldiers were said to look like doughboys with large buttons down their uniform. A doughboy was a flour dumpling cooked in soup. Many Americans became involved with war effort.
American in War cont. Herbert Hoover, future President of US, became household name for work as head of the Food Administration. Saw that US troops and hungry Europeans given food during conflict. Once in France, the AEF gave BEF and the French Army the lift they needed. The rested AEF able to push the war tired Germans out of France. Seeing end in sight, Germans offered peace. The Kaiser, Wilhelm II abdicated, or stepped down from throne on November 9, 1918. On 11/11/1918 at 11:00am the fighting in Europe stopped. This day around the world is celebrated as Armistice Day. After World War II in the US it became Veterans Day.
