100 years ago… US enters The Great War

As the years of the 20th century opened, signs of war were everywhere and by 1914 Europe was fully involved in a war that would eventually kill 9 million soldiers and 7 million civilians.

The United States stayed neutral until 1917. But, in the Atlantic, German submarines attacked any shipping vessel, even neutral ones. The subs sunk five American merchant ships by March 1917.

At the same time, Germany tried to ally with Mexico in a war against the U.S.
On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson called for war and Congress approved his resolution on April 6.

America’s entry into the war was a turning point for the allies of France, United Kingdom, and Russia.

When an armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918, 4.7 million Americans had served in the brutal war of the trenches. American casualties were 116,516 and wounded were 204,000.

National commemorative activities are planned for April 6, 2017 at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, MO.