America, World War I, and Patriotism

When the United States joined the Allied fight with Europe against Germany during

World War I in April 1917, American troops were inadequately prepared for battle. Morale was

low because the various troops did not see a reason to fight on the ground in Europe for France

and Britain’s battles against Germany. The soldiers faced personal issues such as racism and

religious persecution, which lowered their morale even more. The majority of American troops

drafted during World War I, were never put on active duty, due to injuries, illnesses, or

illiteracy. Those that were eligible, did not receive proper training and lived in squalid camps.

During the year and a half of U.S. involvement in World War I, morale would drop among

American troops, but patriotism would flourish among American civilians.

During the first half of the Twentieth Century, American patriotism would grow

exponentially as the United States grew more involved in foreign policy. American troops were

composed mostly of first or second generation immigrants, who had traveled to the United

States seeking freedom from persecution and oppression. These immigrant soldiers would

gladly fight and give their lives to protect their homelands from tyrannous German military

dictatorship. The U.S. government would use these ties of patriotism and anti-tyranny to

strengthen their troops through propaganda, libel, and