America joins WWI in 1917 after German U-boats sink several American merchant ships. Over 3 million American men were drafted under the Selective Service Act to join the American Expeditionary Force fighting in Europe. The US troops helped push the Germans back and replace depleted Russian forces. An armistice was signed in 1918 ending the war. President Wilson hoped to create a League of Nations to prevent future wars, but the US Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles and refused to join the League.

1. America Joins the War
• Goals:
– Outline key events surrounding WWI.
– Identify the outcomes of WWI.
– Define the Treaty of Versailles and League of
Nations.

2. Bell Ringer
• Put the following events in chronological order:
C.US Enters WWI
D.Wilson Re-elected
E.Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated
F.Sussex Pledge
G.Sinking of the Lusitania

4. Building an Army
• Selective Service Act passed in
May 1917
– 3 Million men drafted
• American Expeditionary Force:
– Name given to US forces fighting
in Europe

5. • Mechanization Modern War
– Tanks, trucks, and automatic
weapons
• Air War
– First ever use of aircraft in
battle
• Convoy
– Ships traveling with armed
escort.
– No US troop carriers lost

6. Modern War
• Trench War
– Each army dug in and fought for yards of ground
– Adverse health effects

7. • Chemical Warfare Modern War
– German Mustard Gas
– Sulfur and Chlorine

8. American Contributions
• Fresh American troops push
Germans back
– New troops from US help free
France
• Americans replace Russians
– Russians sign Treaty of Brest-
Litovsk and leave war early.

9. The Home Front
• Bonds sold to finance the
war.
• Food and Fuel rationed
• Day light savings time
created to save fuel

10. War Ends
• Austro-Hungarian Empire
collapses
• Ottoman Empire signed their
own treaties with the Allies.
• Armistice signed with Germany
– Cease Fire agreement

11. Wilson’s 14 Points
1. Which of these points are aimed at the
four M.A.I.N. causes of WWI?
3. What was Wilson’s overall goal for the
world after WWI?
5. How did Wilson intend to solve future
international conflicts?

12. Post War Planning
• Wilson designs League
of Nations to prevent
war.
• Self-determination for
Central European
countries

13. Post War Planning
• Treaty of Versailles
– Official German surrender
– Germany given financial
responsibility
– England gains territory in
Middle East
• League of Nations
– US Senate does not sign the
treaty and doesn’t join the
League of Nations

14. WWI Review Questions
• What was the name for US forces in WWI.
• List two ways that war become modernized
during WWI.
• Explain how Americans contributed to the war
in Europe.
• What is an Armistice?
• Which US President created the idea of
League of Nations?
• What was the League of Nations and why did
the US not join?