Exploring American Military History: WWI, US Role & Great Depression

This essay delves into American Military History, focusing on the United States' involvement in World War I and its subsequent impact, particularly the onset of the Great Depression. Initially maintaining a policy of isolationism, the US was drawn into WWI due to German submarine warfare. The entry of American forces significantly boosted the Allied Powers, providing crucial supplies, moral support, and ultimately contributing to Germany's demoralization. Post-war, the US experienced short-term economic growth followed by the repercussions of war expenditures, devaluation of the dollar, and the onset of the Great Depression, affecting global economies as European countries struggled to repay loans.

Running head: THE AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
The American Military History
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1THE AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
Response to Question 1
The United States of America has always followed a policy of isolationism (Brock,
2015). When the First World War broke out, it was mainly contained within the European
continent; the United States simply observed it from afar. This stance of the United States was
expected since many of its people were immigrants, especially from various countries of Europe,
so it was difficult for them to pick a side. However, the United States was compelled to enter the
War when due to the notorious activities of Germany. Germany launched an aggressive
submarine warfare against the enemy countries and this resulted in the sinking of several
American merchant ships as well (King, 2016). This angered the United States who then decided
to join the Great War on the side of the Allied Powers in 1917. America’s entry into the First
World War was significant as it had several important repercussions for the European countries.
The fresh infusion of American military into the long tiring War titled the War in favor of the
Allies (Brock, 2015). This greatly demoralized the German forces, The United States provided
the immediate relief to the Allied Forces by giving them the requisite ammunitions and food
rations.
The contributions of the United States was not only limited to the provision of food and
armaments, but, the inclusion of a new powerful country in the War greatly boasted the morale
of the Allied forces. Thus, the United States’ contribution to the Great War was severely
underestimated to just physical help (Brock, 2015). It failed to take into account the emotional
support which is the most important kind of support in a battlefield.
Response to Question 7

2THE AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
The involvement in the Great War had significant repercussions for the United States of
America. The country was involved in the War for only a short period of time, from 1917 to
1918 (Simpson, 2014). During this time, a significant portion of the American military was
mobilized to fight in the war; some one million armed military went to serve in Europe, to help
the Allied Powers. Involvement in the War also proved to be beneficial for the United States in
the short run. The export of trade increased to unimaginable levels and the country experienced a
high level of economic growth (Simpson, 2014). The food rations and medical aid provided to
the European powers had a burden on the domestic economy of the United States. There was
regular supply of medical facilities, food items and transportation was required for this purposes.
Moreover, after the war, America helped in the reconstruction of the European Powers which
were left ravaged due to the activities of the War.
Soon, in the late 1920s, the dollar currency faced huge devaluation, resulting in the
dreaded Great Depression (Longrigg, 2017). The Greta Depression was an off shoot of the First
World War itself where the huge expenditures incurred by America started to have adverse
repercussions. The European countries were unable to pay back their loans on time and the value
of dollar kept decreasing. The Great Depression had a resonating effect on all the economies of
the world.

3THE AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
References:
Brock, P. (2015). Pacifism in the United States: From the Colonial Era to the First World War.
Princeton University Press.
King, J. C. (2016). First World War. Springer.
Longrigg, S. (2017). The Great Depression. Routledge.
Simpson, B. P. (2014). The Great Depression. In Money, Banking, and the Business Cycle (pp.
187-219). Palgrave Macmillan, New York.