USA in World War I PPT
The entry of the United States into the World War I was seen as a decisive development in the history of the world since it was one of the developments that reshaped the power balance and international relations in the globe with this Nation emerging as one of the important powers. This paper further seeks to explain the transformation of the USA from a position of inactivity to that of active participation and why this was the case in World War I. Check out the USA in World War I PPT above for a summary.
The Pre World War I Era
World War I erupted in 1914 and for the most part was a European event. However, the assassination of Arch-duke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary instigated a web of alliances leading to an outbreak of war in Europe. The United States of America entered the war towards its climax. She dedicated the first three years of the war fighting neutrality under president Woodrow Wilson, who as not motivated to join what he considered a foreign dispute.
The USA during this period diverted her attention to trade thus ensuring that either the Allied or Central Powers received goods from her. However, remaining neutral began to seem less and less probable as relations were becoming more tense. German submarine warfare, and the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in particular, resulted in the death of 128 Americans and attracted fierce criticism from American citizens.
Reasons for American Interventions in the First World War
Events leading to the end of neutrality began in the year 1917. One of the events was the Germans continued to sink American merchant ships. Germany also sent the infamous Zimmermann Telegram, which was an attempt to lure Mexico into an alliance against the United States. It was another incident that infuriated Americans and fuelled the war spirit among them.
The United States Congress declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, which officially dragged in the United States in World War I. President Wilson also believed US participation in the war was for moral purposes and stated that the sole purpose of the US was to “make the world safe for democracy”. Check out the free download of the USA in World War I ppt for more details.
The USA’s Contribution to the First World War
The entry of the USA into the First World War strengthened the Allies considerably. The Continental forces were led by AEF General John J. Pershing, who despite their relative inexperience compared to European armies, infused new energy, and brought man power and resources to the battle lines.
Fueled by the growing number of American troops deployed in Europe, which stood at over two million by mid-1918, The USA would continue to establish itself as a world power, specifically through the intervention into World War 1. After all, American footprints were left on huge battles such as the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and also the Meuse - Argonne Offensive, the largest battle involving U.S. forces. Such efforts broke the deadlock on the Western Front and helped defeat Germany in the end.
The USA also made an additional contribution in the areas of economic and industrial development. American factories produced a lot of arms, shells, and other military supplies, and also gave money to the Allies so that they could carry on the war.
Most Americans support the armed forces, believing their involvement in any conflict is necessary, but their intervention in World War 1 had forced relevancy. Firstly, shifting the scales in favor of the Allies, it enabled the faster end of the war. Secondly, it allowed the USA to rise into a prominent position on the global stage, so to speak.
But of course, war bears its fruits. It profited the US economy, as it was triggered an upsurge in the industrial sector, expanding jobs in the market at the time. But like every war, it also created a number of issues. Sometimes, it was inflation, sometimes labor strikes and discussions over essential human rights. The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 are such examples that limited the freedom of an individual and raised tensions.
Legacy of the USA in World War I
After WWI, the Americans released the genie out of the bottle, I mean forcefully introduced their ideology and rule to the world. It was during WW1 that Americans began to venture out into the global arena, rapidly expanding their sphere of influence and free-market ideologies. Americans became the primary architects of the post-war global order. Wilson, was also the main performer in shaping the League of Nations. The aftermath saw America taking lead in creating the Treaty of Versailles and even if Wilson tried to implement his thoughts on the League of Nations, the USA Senate denied it and returned itself to pacifism. Therefore despite the absence of Americans as an active leader during the First World War, their engagement in the Bloc and subsequent impact on war and even the political shift in the country is immensely appreciated and is referred to as USA WW1: the first step into a frame of a globalized nation.
The USA (as it was called even then), being a space of mass industrialism, was able to complete the picture behind the image of their mass industry, walk over to the world stage and show the Americans a different people.
The League of Nations was not acknowledged by America and America turned its back on British Colonialism saving its resources for future conflicts. To realize how and in what ways wartime American expansionism dominated the first World War and its ideology, the usa in world war i ppt above will be an enjoyable way to do so for both students and teachers.