WWI History Lesson 10: Enter the United States

 When the United States finally declared war on Germany in early 1917, World War I was already two and a half years old.  American involvement in the war did not begin then, however.  During its years as a neutral power, the United States has supplied large quantities of vital materials to the nations fighting in the war.  At the same time, thousands of individual Americans had joined Allied services to help fight.  Many American pilots were already flying combat missions for British and French aviation units.

Through those years, US President Woodrow Wilson repeatedly insisted his government behave as a true neutral by doing nothing to favor one side over the other.  Nevertheless, it was clear to everyone that the United States was more sympathetic to the Allied Powers than it was to the Central Powers.  The United States claimed to be willing to trade with all the nations, but the reality was different.  American exports and finanical loans helped keep the Allied Powers fighting.  The German government did not regard the United States as truly netural but wanted to avoid provoking the Americans into the war on the Allies' side.

Most Americans wanted nothing to do with the war.  They were disgusted with the long history of European conflicts and regarded the European War, as they called it, as none of their business.  Americans were glad to be safely thousands of miles away from the fighting.  Few could see any benefits in joining the war.  Also, while the war was having a devastating effect on the economies of Europe, it was helping many American industries boom.  American factories and farms were growing richer supplying Europe with products the embattled countries needed.  While public sentiment generally favored the Allies, millions of Americans of German decent sympathized with Germany.  Additionally, millions of Americans of Irish decent had strong anti-British feelings because of the long history of Britain domination of Ireland.

• Read Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood pages 101-115

More than 350,000 African Americans served in the American Expeditionary Force in France.  Because of the US Army's rigid racial segregation policies, most were allowed only noncombat support duties.  Some, however, such as the 367th Infantry distinguished themselves in combat.  Many fought alongside the French and received many medals.  

• Watch about the Harlem Hell Fighters