American
involvement in the war began almost two years after the heir apparent to
the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, was
assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. During that time battle lines
had been drawn up by most of the European nations, with the Allies
(chiefly France, Britain and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany,
Austria-Hungary and Turkey) fighting on two different fronts.
Eastern Front
It was in the East that Germany was able to strike deadly blows against
Russia, Serbia and Montenegro by the end of 1915. While operations in
this region, especially in northern Italy, kept vast Austrian troops
tied down, the Russians concluded a separate peace with Germany which
allowed those Central Power forces to move into the Western Front in
early 1918.
When President
Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war, America joined
the Allies on April 6, 1917. Events that led President Wilson to take
this action included the loss of American lives during the sinking of
the British passenger liner Lusitania, sinking of several American ships
in early 1917, and the prospect of a German-Mexican alliance against the
Untied States.
Western Front
It was on the this front that grueling trench warfare, horrible living
conditions and the use of poison gas became daily news. Over 2 million
American men served overseas with the American Expeditionary Force,
under the command of General John J. Pershing. Battles such as Verdun,
Saint-Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne claimed many young American
"doughboys" lives. With the help of the American Expeditionary
Force (AEF), the allies were able to force Germany to sign an armistice
on November 11, 1918.
The Treaty of
Versailles ended the war, and changed the face of Europe. Gone were the
great empires of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Turkey. A vastly
different political landscape emerged in the ruins the "Great
War", differences that would play a distinct role in the future of
the world.
World War I had
been one of the bloodiest wars in history, without a single decisive
battle. From this conflict sprang new battle concepts, equipment and
national strategies during war. The Selective Service was first used in
1917, women were allowed into the main stream work force, tanks and
airplanes played key roles and the League of Nations was created.
While the world
began to rebuild and rest, a troubled German Corporal began to sow the
seeds of distrust and hatred.
