Final answer:
The U.S. military buildup in WWI involved the rapid expansion of the army, financial mobilization through War Bonds and taxes, the production of war materials, the management of food resources, and the use of propaganda to support the war effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, it marked a significant escalation in the military buildup and preparation for war. Here are six key details pertaining to the U.S. military buildup during this period:
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- The U.S. Army was relatively small at the time of the declaration of war, ranking only seventh in the world with around 200,000 enlisted men.
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- To quickly raise a large army, the government implemented the Selective Service Act of 1917, leading to the drafting of millions of men.
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- Financially, the United States raised funds through War Bonds and higher taxes to support the war effort.
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- Substantial resources were directed to building and supplying an army capable of fighting overseas, including food, weapons, and transportation.
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- The government created agencies like the War Industries Board to coordinate the production of war materials and the Food Administration to manage food resources.
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- Propaganda was utilized to sway public opinion in favor of the war effort and encourage support and participation from civilians.
The effects of these efforts contributed to a decisive moment on the Western Front, where American forces bolstered the exhausted Allied troops, leading to the eventual defeat of Germany.