How WWI Changed America: America Goes to War

Summary

In the summer of 1914, Europe plunged into a massive war following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The war saw two main alliances: the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire) and the Allies (Britain, France, and Russia). The U.S. initially remained neutral but was drawn into the conflict after Germany's attacks on American ships. By 1917, the U.S. entered the war, quickly mobilizing a large, well-trained military force. Their involvement played a crucial role in tipping the scales in favor of the Allies, leading to the eventual defeat of Germany in 1918.

Takeaways

• 😀 Europe enjoyed decades of peace, but this peace was deceptive, as European empires were preparing for war with larger armies and navies.
• 😀 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in the summer of 1914 ignited a massive conflict, leading to World War I.
• 😀 The war split Europe into two sides: the Central Powers (Germany, Austro-Hungary, Ottoman Empire) and the Allies (Britain, France, Russia).
• 😀 Germany's invasion of Belgium in August 1914 marked the beginning of the conflict, coinciding with the death of U.S. First Lady Ellen Wilson.
• 😀 President Woodrow Wilson initially chose to keep America neutral, despite the war's global implications and potential threats to American society.
• 😀 By 1915, the war was not ending quickly, and the United States found itself more involved, especially after the sinking of the Lusitania by German U-boats.
• 😀 In early 1917, Germany's decision to sink American ships, hoping to avoid American intervention, ultimately led to the United States entering the war.
• 😀 The U.S. military grew rapidly during the war, from 300,000 to over four million soldiers, through the adoption of conscription (mandatory service).
• 😀 The U.S. had to rapidly train, equip, and transport soldiers to Europe, creating a massive logistical operation to support its war effort.
• 😀 By the fall of 1918, there were 850,000 American soldiers in Europe, and the U.S. played a crucial role in the Allied victory, both through manpower and psychological support.

Q & A

What event triggered the outbreak of World War I in 1914?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo triggered the outbreak of World War I in the summer of 1914.

Which countries were part of the Central Powers during World War I?

The Central Powers consisted of Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire.

Which countries were part of the Allied Powers during World War I?

The Allied Powers included Britain, France, and Russia.

What personal crisis did President Woodrow Wilson face in August 1914?

In August 1914, President Woodrow Wilson faced the personal crisis of his wife Ellen Wilson passing away just two days after Germany invaded Belgium.

Why did President Wilson initially want the United States to remain neutral in World War I?

President Wilson wanted the United States to remain neutral because he believed the war would be short, and he did not want internal divisions among Americans who came from the nations involved in the conflict.

How did the United States contribute to the war effort before formally entering World War I?

Before formally entering World War I, the United States contributed by trading goods, loaning money, and supplying munitions, raw materials, and foodstuffs, mainly to the Allied Powers.

What event in 1915 nearly led the United States to enter the war?

The sinking of the British ocean liner Lusitania by German U-boats in 1915 nearly led the United States to enter the war.

What decision did Germany make in early 1917, and how did it impact the United States?

In early 1917, Germany decided to resume unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking American ships in an attempt to keep supplies from reaching Britain and France, which ultimately led the United States to declare war.

How did the United States' military grow during World War I?

The United States' military grew from about 300,000 soldiers at the start of the war to over four million men by the time the war ended, partly due to the implementation of conscription.

What was the role of the United States' entry into World War I in determining the outcome of the conflict?

The United States' entry into World War I provided crucial aid to the Allied Powers, boosting their morale and resources, which helped turn the tide of the war in the Allies' favor, ultimately leading to victory.