The US Enters the War

May 18, 1917 congress passes the selective service act (draft)

By summer the military was still not prepared for the recruits that reported for training

Supplies had been ordered but hadn’t arrived yet

Training still took place despite the lack of supplies

Learned military rules and practices Marching Preparing for

inspection Practiced with wooden

sticks instead of rifles Rode wooden barrels

instead of horses Discrimination and

segregation were part of the military service

AFRICAN AMERICANS HISPANICS

Separate divisions Separate camps Not allowed to used

weapons Many politicians and

southerners feared retribution after the war

Few regiments were trained for combat

Faced discrimination also Scorn from other

American troops Many times were only

assigned menial tasks Given English classes

that once completed were then allowed to served alongside other American troops

Those that went over seas were referred to as

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) Regular army National guard Volunteers and

draftees

Arrived in France in June of 1917

Forces were transported safely by the convoy system

The situation was grim in Europe for the allies

Desperate for Americans to start fighting asap

General John J Pershing had other plans Thought they needed

more training

SETBACKS US TROOPS IN ACTION

The Russian revolution took place and the new leaders signed a treaty with the central powers The treaty of Brestlovik Germany’s army would no

longer be divided This led to a massive

offensive on the western front and push the Allies back to the Marne River just 70 miles east of Paris

Learned quickly about trench warfare

There was much death But the renewed energy

that the Americans bring to the front help turn the tide of the war

After two major German defeats aided by American troops the allies are able to halt the German Advance

The role of American military women varied French speaking

American women were recruited to serve as switchboard operators

20,000 nurses served during WWI in the US Army overseas

Navy & marines included: typists, book keepers, radio operators, electricians, & telegraphers

July of 1918 the Germans make there last stand at the Marne River.

By Aug. 3 the Germans suffered 150,000 casualties

Allies continue to advance 120,000 American lives lost in one battle By the end of 1918 the Central Powers

began to see the writing on the wall By Nov. of 1918 Germany surrenders

8.5 million had lost their lives “The War to End all Wars”