U.S. History Ch. 11-2 Flashcards

Raising an Army

• The United States raised an army through the Selective Service Act, which instituted a draft and encouraged volunteer enlistment.

Contribution of U.S. Soldiers

• U.S. soldiers brought enthusiasm and freshness to the battlefield; they played a vital role in halting German advances on Paris and contributed to winning the Second Battle of the Marne, turning the tide against the Central Powers.

Naval Force Expansion

• The U.S. expanded its naval force by enlisting volunteers and utilizing the draft from the Selective Service Act, exempting shipyard workers from military duties and launching campaigns to emphasize their importance.
• Commercial and private ships were requisitioned and converted for military use.

U.S. Navy's Strategic Impact

• The U.S. Navy implemented the convoy system to protect merchant vessels and established a mine barrier in the North Sea to thwart U-boat access to the Atlantic.

Mechanized Warfare Innovations

• Mechanized warfare introduced new threats including modernized machine guns, tanks, airplanes, gas distribution, zeppelins (gas-filled airships), and observation balloons.

Human Cost of the War

• The war resulted in approximately 11 million civilian deaths.
• Military deaths were around 11 million, while injuries totaled about 20 million.
• The conflict created around 10 million refugees.

Economic Impact

• The estimated economic costs of the war totaled $338 billion.

Notable Figures

• Alvin York was recognized as a war hero who initially started as a conscientious objector.
• A conscientious objector is someone who opposes war due to moral beliefs.
• Eddie Rickenbacker emerged as America's leading ace pilot during the war.

Mobilization for War

• The Selective Service Act required registration of men, resulting in 24 million registrations, with 3 million called to service.
• Government support facilitated the construction of naval ships.

Evolution of Warfare Technology

• New warfare technologies included advancements in tanks, improved airplanes, sophisticated machine guns, and lethal gasses, marking a shift to more deadly combat methods.

Overall Toll of the War

• The total death toll from the war amounted to 22 million, reflecting significant human and economic costs.

Convoy System Effectiveness

• The convoy system involved a fleet of destroyers providing protection for merchant ships traveling across the Atlantic Ocean.

Leadership of American Forces

• General John J. Pershing led the American Expeditionary Forces, not Eddie Rickenbacker.

Notable Events

• Alvin York gained fame for his heroics during the Battle of Meuse-Argonne.
• Germany's agreement to a cease-fire came on November 11, 1918, not January 1, 1919.