Module 6 Reflection: World War I (WWI)
America Enters the War President Wilson assumed that if Germany won the war, there would be an alter in power so drastic that it would be detrimental to Europe. On April 4, 1917 war was declared on Germany. The United States military was unprepared for what was to come next. During that time the U.S. didn't maintain armed forces or trained reserves during "peacetime." The U.S. relied on volunteerism in order to fill the ranks, but this option was not meeting the status quo. The Boy Scouts of America charge up Fifth Avenue in New York City in a “Wake Up, America” parade to support recruitment efforts. Nearly sixty thousand people attended this single parade. On May 18, 1917, Congress approved the Selective Service Act, President Wilson signed it within a week. The Selective Service Act originally stated that men from the age of 21-30 must register for military service. Around 2.5 million men were examined for the military service. The Army Medical Department fou...