Question

Explain three justifications for US involvement in WWI.

Answer 1

OK, so U.S. ties to Britain, both culturally and practically, for trade reasons, had set the stage for justification for U.S. entry into the war. When Germany refuses to stop sinking U.S. ships and tries to get Mexico to attack the States, President Woodrow Wilson goes before Congress and requests a declaration of war. But now, how does the nation wage this war?

President Wilson actually opposed a draft, but at the point the U.S. declared war there were fewer than 400,000 troops in the U.S. Army and National Guard together. They were in no way prepared for a major war. So, Congress passed the Selective Service Act on May 18, 1917. The act required men between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for the draft. In time, the age range was expanded to 18 to 45. Over 2.8 million were drafted through the war.

That summer, the new recruits, those drafted and enlisted, reported for training. The military was far from ready for them. The barracks had not been built, so soldiers had to sleep in tents. So few supplies had arrived that the soldiers had to train with sticks instead of rifles and barrels instead of horses!

It wasn't only the troops that had to be raised, it was also the funds. Most of the revenue raised was from taxes, but there was also a huge amount of push for war bonds. War bonds are used by countries to raise money for war. Essentially, they are loan notes taken out by the government from the people. In World War I the U.S. dubbed them Liberty Bonds. Many celebrities, including the likes of Charlie Chaplin, made appearances at huge public rallies selling bonds. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts actually had a large campaign to sell bonds. Their slogan was, 'Every scout to save a soldier.'




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