1.The American public and its government were committed to a policy of Isolationism. "It was Europe's problem, not ours."
2. Good: the defensive victories of the British and the French against the last desperate offensive launched by the Germans in the spring of 1918. Then, the turning point of Foch's counter-ofeensive on the Marne followed by Haig's great attack on 8 August - 'the black day of the German Army' - the breaking of the Hindenburg Line and the pursuit of the German Army.
Bad: The lack of recognition given to the French and the British for their victories in 1918.
2007-09-13 15:17:51
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answer #1
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answered by WMD 7
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The US was not "late" in joining the war. Washington and other early leaders warned strongly against getting involved in foreign wars, and Europe had a long string of wars from the 1700s through 1914. The Franco-Prussian War, The Crimean War, the Russo-Japanese War, etc., were wars between European powers, and the US wisely did not choose sides or take part. Through most of its history, the US military and economy were not really capable of competing with European powers. That lesson was learned fully in the War of 1812, when British forces burned Washington.
Only after the Civil War did the US military become truly powerful. Prior to that, our military was aimed mainly at keeping unruly Indian tribes down, with one war against Mexico. After the Civil War, the US Navy became more powerful, and the US did take on one fading European power in the Spanish American War. But in general, the US population wanted nothing to do with European wars.
When WW1 broke out, the opinion of Americans was strongly divided. Many German-Americans supported the Kaiser's army, many French and British-Americans supported the Allies, and most Americans wanted to stay out of the war. There was no strong American political or economic interest to get involved. Wilson was actually re-elected with the slogan "He Kept US Out Of War."
America watched in horror as the trench warfare settled into a stalemate, and the age of chemical warfare began. Even after German Uboats sunk the Lusitania, killing hundreds of Americans, most people wanted to stay out. As Wilson began to realize the war was stalemated, he decided to move the country toward war. He is quoted as saying that if the allies won, the US foreign policy toward Europe would remain the same because the French and English were enlightened democracies or constitutional monarchies. Germany had a stronger autocratic government, and American policies would have to be changed dramatically if they won the war.
So, the US was not late entering the war, but had to be put in a situation in which their interests were threatened before they decided to go to war.
2007-09-13 15:11:24
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answer #2
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answered by A Plague on your houses 5
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1. US had a strong sense of isolationism and was wary of
becoming involved in foreign disputes.
Also our military was one of the poorest in the world.
2. Good-helped the Allies win the war after they had suffered
disastrous casualties on all sides.,
Assisted the US to become a world power
because Europe was in a mess economically
and their armies were in disarray, thus leaving the
US as the strongest and we had learned that
we could fight.
Development of new weapons such as the tank
and workable machine gun, and use of air power.
BAD-Versailles Treaty that led to WW2
Development of new weapons such as the tank
and machine gun that added more grievous
casualties in future war.
Broke up integrity of many countries, that also helped
lead to WW2.
Left a political vacuum that allowed fascism to take
over much of Europe.
2007-09-13 15:11:13
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answer #3
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answered by SgtMoto 6
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We were late in joining the war because we found it hard to decide which side to join, looks like we made the wrong choice
2007-09-13 14:54:12
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answer #4
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answered by POTUS 2
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1. America was not invited to join the party.
2. Good: The Ottoman Empire was destroyed.
Bad: The Czar and his family were brutally murdered by Lenin's Bolsheviks, and Russia became communist.
2007-09-13 14:56:02
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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