The Great War

Events that ultimately resulted in a declaration of war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. The intricate web of European alliances drew in major powers such as Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, and Japan, leading to a global conflict that would become known as the First World War.

Despite US President Woodrow Wilson's efforts to maintain neutrality, escalating German aggression forced the United States into the conflict. The sinking of the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania by German forces on May 7, 1915, with over a hundred Americans aboard, prompted Wilson to issue warnings against unrestricted submarine warfare and violations of international law.

In January 1917, Germany resumed submarine attacks, and the revelation of the Zimmermann Telegram, which proposed a German-Mexican alliance against the US, further fueled tensions. The US Congress declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, in response to the publication of the telegram and increased attacks on American merchant vessels.

World War I emerged as the deadliest conflict in history up to that point, resulting in tens of millions of casualties across all involved parties.

Central Image:

On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trenches, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire, mines, camouflaged trapping pits, and other obstacles. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Mustard gas, one of many chemical weapons is used for the first time by German forces; it caused more than 2,100 casualties. The gas mask was the only countermeasure to protect a soldier.

Upper Left:

Navy destroyer U.S.S. Cassin is attacked by German U-boat 61 and fires depth charges from a K-gun in response to a torpedo strike. The U-boat was hit and forced to retreat. The Cassin was heavily damaged with a casualty and 9 wounded sailors.

Upper Right:

Many of our relatives in the war. Those who served in the cavalry had fit their horses with gas masks as well as themselves.

Middle Right:

Presentation of colors (flag) by the French to the U.S. Troops for their contribution to the war effort.

Lower Right:

Technology played a big part in the war. Armored tanks changed modern warfare,

providing a new way to break through entrenched defenses. They offered a combination of armor, firepower, and mobility, enabling armies to overcome the stalemate of trench warfare, though their initial designs had limitations.

Lower Middle:

German U-boats attacked and sank American merchant ships, primarily to disrupt Allied supply lines and weaken Britain's war effort. The sinking of American merchant ships, along with the sinking of the British passenger ship Lusitania in 1915, significantly contributed to public opinion in the United States turning against Germany and ultimately leading to American entry into the war in 1917.

Lower Left:

Airplanes were used in battle for the first time. It is only been a few years since the Wright brothers first flight. The British Sopwith Camel was put into service in 1917 and the American Expeditionary Force had several squadrons fly this agile fighter plane.

Middle Left:

The U.S. joined the British and their in a blockade aimed at restricting the maritime supply of goods to the Central Powers, including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The US Navy participated in the war effort, primarily through counter-submarine warfare and laying the North Sea Mine Barrage.

The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard merged together and were responsible for escorting merchant and troop transport ships, keeping them safe from attack by enemy ships and U-boats

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