A SchoolsHistory.org.uk project. Online for testing and editing by participating students. Please excuse any typographical errors, inaccuracies or broken links: or better still, e-mail me and let me know where they are!

The United States enter the War - The First World War - 1917

When war began in 1914 U.S.A. wanted to stay neutral and not get involved in what they viewed as a European conflict. Later, in 1917 U.S.A did enter into World War 1 because of several events that occurred.

One of these events was in 1915 when the American's boat Lusitania sank and over 120 people were killed. Then the Sussex was sunk by a German U-boat. After this the American president,Teddy Roosevelt, wanted revenge.

On April 6 1917 war was called in U.S.A. with the permission of congress.
To some people this was a natural progression as it was thought that the U.S.A. were backing up Britain and that they weren't neutral in any case. Others say that as German threatened to conquer Britain, the U.S.A wanted to help out so that was another involvement in the war.
When the United States joined the war this did not just mean more ships, troops, supplies ect, but also it opened up the scene of even greater economic and business support to the run down similar nations.

The entry of the United States into the First World War was written by a year 9 student at Laisterdyke High School.

USAF Museum's outstanding video footage of US aircraft fighting in the First World War. (Requires Realplayer). USAF Museum website.

The battle for Vimy Ridge

Vimy Ridge is a hill in North of France, at the rim of Notre Dame de Lorette, 5 miles North East of Arras. It was taken in World War I by the Canadian troops during the battle of Arras in France. This extremely important site, was not easy to capture, the battle costing 11,285 lives.

It was until 9th of April 1917, that an allied attack had taken place on the German position during the First World War. Vimy Ridge was captured along with 4,000 prisoners down in 15 minutes by the Canadian troops.

The battle for Vimy ridge is a segment of a larger piece of work written by a year 9 student at Laisterdyke High School. Click here for information about the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge or here to view images from the site of the battle.

Going over the top of trenches, facing endless barrages and dealing with corpses, rats and despair. These are just some of the ordeals recalled here by World War One veterans. A BBC recording.