American Power Tips the Balance

Ch. 11, Sec. 2Guided Reading Power Point ReviewAmerican PowerTips the BalanceObjectives:Describe how the U.S. mobilized for the war.Identify the new weapons faced in WWI.Describe the end of the war.

1. How did the United States raise an army?Selective Service Act - register to be randomly selected for military svc.Only 200,000 men in service when war was declared.Sel. Svc. required men 18 to 45 to register24 million register; 3 million are drafted; 2 million go to Europe. Nationalism & WWIMost did not attend high school (illiteracy at 25%)Almost million African Americans in US armed forces; over served in France. Their units were segregated. The all-black 369th infantry saw more continuous duty on front line than any other regiment. 2 recd. Frances highest military honor the cross of war.Harlem Hellfighters History ChannelWomen served in the Navy & Marines (non-combat positions).

2. How did U.S. soldiers help win the war?Govt. made mass production of ships a priority.US factories (with help from the Govt.) mass produced ships to get men, supplies & equipment overseas);After almost 3 years of fighting, Allied forces were exhausted.American troops were fresh and enthusiastic!WWI Prop

3. How did the U.S. build its naval force?Four crucial steps:Did not draft shipyard workers;Emphasized the importance of shipyard workers;Prefabrication using standardized parts saved valuable time;Government took control of all ships.4. How did the U.S. Navy help win the war?Convoy system where armed destroyers escorted merchant ships across the Atlantic Ocean (p. 383).Laid a 230-mile barrier of mines in the North Sea to bottle the German subs (U-boats) & keep them out of the Atlantic. Effect: cut lost lives at sea significantly.On land, US troops brought freshness & enthusiasm.After 2 yrs. Of fighting, Allied troops were exhausted & demoralized. shell shock stop at 1:35

Why were US troops so effective in combat?LEADERSHIP:General John. J. Pershing Commander ofUS Army in Europe (AEF). Changed combatStyle from DEFENSIVE (trenches) to OFFENSIVE.DOUGH BOYS: American infantryman (p. 384).NEW WEAPONS INTRODUCED:Machine gun; Rifles - Uncut series Tank; Airplane; Antiaircraft guns; Poison gas masks were standard issue.

Examples of physical and emotional ailments suffered by men at the front?Battle fatigue & shell shock (PTSD)the smell of decaying bodiessurrounded by filth, lice, ratsDysentery from dirty waterTrench footTrench mouth

American troops on the offensiveRussia pulls out of the war in 1917 & by soon the Germans are within 50 miles of Paris. US troops arrived in time to stop Germany from making big gains in France. By mid-year the tide had turned against the Central Powers.Alvin York emerged as a US war hero, despite his initial position as a conscientious objector (a person who opposes warfare on moral grounds, based on religious beliefs).Collapse of Germany November 1918 naval mutiny quickly spreads throughout German army; that same month Socialist leaders take control of the govt. and the Kaiser gives up the throne.ARMISTACE (truce) on 11-11-18. This ended WWI.

7. What did the war cost in terms of the number of22 million total deadCivilian deaths accounted for half of that number.Military deaths = 9-11 millionWounded = 20 millionRefugees = 10 millionAmerican costs:52,000 died in battle62,000 died of disease200,000 wounded

8. What were the estimated economic costs?$338 billion - However, that number and Statistic is misleading. Turn to page13 in your Chapter 11 packet and read the article WWI and the Economy. What do the tone and message of that article imply about the economic impact of WWI specifically on the US? (Positive or negative?) Highlight or underline anything in the article that supports your position. Circle words you are unfamiliar with. HW: Write a paragraph stating and supporting your position with details from the reading. (4-6 sentences)

American Ace red baronEddie Rickenbacker clip

WWI impacts life in the USMAKING PREDICTIONS:Brainstorm with your small groups as to how you think being involved in a long, costly war like WWI would affect the lives of Americans on the home front during its course. Make a list of POLITICAL..ECONOMIC.. & SOCIAL CHANGES you think would most likely have happened.

Section 3 will let you judge the accuracy of your predictions!