The
Great War in Europe raged for nearly three years before the United States
chose to become involved. Repeated attacks on American merchant ships
by German submarines forced President Woodrow Wilson in 1917 to abandon
his policies of neutrality and to declare war on Germany.
The war originally began as a local European
conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, triggered by the assassination
of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist. It soon spread to
become a war between the Central Powers (primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary
and the Ottoman Empire) and the Allied Powers (primarily the United Kingdom,
France and Russia.)
Battles were fought on several fronts
throughout Europe, resulting mainly in stalemates and the loss of countless
lives. With America's involvement, the Allies gained new manpower and
industrial resources, which helped to raise flagging morale, the result
of Russia’s resignation from the conflict.
By the end of the war, the United States
proved it could mobilize a large army and act as a major player in international
affairs. Unfortunately, President Wilson's plan (the "Fourteen Points")
for the armistice was never realized, and its absence would contribute
to the conditions necessary for another great European conflict twenty
years later. |
Doughboy
Center - Definitive
source for details on the American Expeditionary Forces.
Trenches
on the Web - Resource covers various aspects of the Great War, including
slang, movie posters, songs, photos, timelines, and biographies.
First
Call - Examine a collection of period propaganda posters.
Pershing's
Doughboys - Living history group assembles links and information.
Early
Years Gallery - USAF Museum offers a glimpse of the era's fighting
machines.
1st
Div. at Ansauville - US Army narrative studies the effects of early
chemical warfare, offers analysis, and provides maps.
USMC:
WWI - Explore the history and recruiting efforts of the Devil Dogs
at Belleau Wood.
America
Over There - Gives a timeline and photos, focusing on America's involvement
and the League of Nations fight. |
