WW1, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression
39a - give reasons for World War I and describe Georgia’s contributions
Reasons for WW1
World War I started in Europe in August of 1914. Serbia was a small country. They were part of the Triple Entente. A Serbian college student went to an Austrian parade and assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Austria declared war on Serbia, but Russia backed up Serbia, leading to the war all over Europe. Woodrow Wilson, elected president of U.S. in 1912, said that America would not fight for the Central Powers(Germany and Austria-Hungary), or the Allied Powers(France, Great Britain, and Russia). Some Georgians volunteered to fight as aviators, soldiers, ambulance drivers, and nurses. Many Americans joined the Lafayette Escadrille, which contained a squadron full of American aviators, which fought for France. |
Georgia's Contributions during WW1
After war was declared, 85,000-100,000 Georgians joined the armed forces, and many soldiers were trained at Camp Benning, Fort McPherson, and Camp Gordon. General John Pershing, leader of the armed forces requested the opening of Camp Benning. It was located near Columbus. It trained infantry troops. It was named in the honor of Confederate General Henry Benning. The camp became a fort in 1922. A German sub was imprisoned at Fort McPherson, which was near Atlanta. Camp Gordon later became a fort. These camps a major factor for the American economy. Georgia made fabric for uniforms from textile mills. Railroads took arms, ammo, and soldiers to ports and ships sailing to Europe. Farmers grew food crops, tobacco, and livestock. Many residents planted “victory gardens”, where they raised their own veggies for the military. Women became Red Cross volunteers, in order to welcome soldiers, knit, and sell bonds. Georgia had 300,000 young people die for the “world safe for democracy”. The Central Powers were defeated because of the US personnel, supplies, and equipment. Fort McPherson, in Atlanta, was created in 1889. It trained recruits and draftees, and houses German p.o.w.s.Military authorities build Camp Gordon where 230,000 American soldiers were trained. Camp Benning, in Columbus, housed the U.S. Army’s Infantry School. Camp Hancock, in Augusta, temporarily housed thousands of American soldiers that trained with the military supplies and weapons school. Fort Oglethorpe, which was located near Chickamauga, was an important army training installation which instructed the horse cavalry. There were other camps in Macon and Atlanta such as Camp Wheeler and Camp Jesup. Many farm boys in GA saw telephones, motion pictures, streetcars, electric lights, indoor toilets, and running water for the first time. Around Spring of 1918, 200,000 American troops came to France each month. The Allies pushed Germany on the offensive. Germany surrendered in October of 1918 and the war was officially over on November 11. Back in America, women were given more opportunities. For example, women got undergraduate admission at UGA in September 1918, and President Andrew Soule said that women were required to be trained in nutrition and extensive work during the war. The board of trustees admitted the women. The war ended on November 11, 1918 after an armistice. After the end of the war, Georgia and the rest of America rang church bells and held ceremonies at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to show victory and peace. |