VI America in the First World War

In 1914 the United States found itself in the midst of a European crisis. World War I broke out in Europe with the Allied Powers of Great Britain, France, and Russia facing the central powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Over the next few years the war involved 28 countries including the United States. Although the principal campaigns were fought in Europe, armies also fought in the Middle East, Africa, and China, and navies clashed on all the oceans. The direct cause of the World War I was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, on June 28,1914.

When the war broke out, most Americans wanted no part of a European war and the US government adopted neutral policy. American neutral policy was aimed at making a profit, for it enabled America to continue its trade with the warring countries.

Many factors contributed to America's final entry into the War. Soon after the War broke out, Britain and Germany tried to blockade each other. In May 1915, a German submarine sank the British luxury liner Lusitania liner and killed 128 American passengers. Then German submarines sank five American merchant ships bound for or leaving Allied seaports. The Germany foreign minister promised to help Mexico to recover the territory it lost during the war with America in 1848. In addition, American business men feared that German winning of the war would make them suffer a big loss because they sold their products to Britain and France and provided large loans to the English government to finance the War. All these factors made America to support Britain and helped to draw the United States into the First World War. In April 1917, the Congress of the United States declared war against the Central Powers.

American troops did not reach Europe in large numbers until 1918, when about 2 million American soldiers were sent to fight in Europe. They soon turned the tide of battle. In July, Americans joined a huge Allied attack. By late summer, the Central Powers were in retreat. On November 11,1918, the War was over.

Yanks (美國兵) & Tommies(英國兵) waving American, British & French flags during Armistice celebration, at end of WWI. Date taken: November 1918

The war had caused terrible destruction and death. More than 125, 000 American lives were lost during the brief period the United States was engaged militarily in the war. This loss was small, however, when compared to the 900,000 British, 1,385,000 French, and 1,700,000 Russian lives lost in battle. In all, nearly 9 million soldiers and more than 13 million civilians died within a span of 4 years.

At a peace conference in Paris, 27 countries took part in drawing up the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh measures against Germany and included an agreement to form a League of Nations. The U.S. Senate never ratified this treaty and the U.S. did not join the League, despite President Woodrow Wilson's active campaigning in support of the League. The United States negotiated a separate peace with Germany, finalized in August 1921.

In the aftermath of the war, the political, cultural, and social order of the world was drastically changed in many places. The map of Europe was redrawn. New countries were formed, old ones were abolished. The Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires were broken up. Germany lost some of its territory. It was forced to pay huge amounts of money for war damage. France and Britain took over Germany's colonies.