World War I (WWI)
The war started between Austria Hungary and Serbia when a young serbian assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the thrown for Austria-Hungary. This caused Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. Tensions rose as countries interests clashed with nationalism, imperialism, and militarism. The conflict later spread to the rest of Europe. The countries split into two groups the Allied Powers and Central Powers. America did not join the war intially, but was eventually forced to join when Germans sunk the Lusitania. 1,198 people including 128 Americans. America joined the war against Germany and the Central Powers. Laws like the Selective Service Act popped up requiring men from the ages of 21- 31 to serve in the military. Georgia supported joining the war after the sinking of the Lusitania. During the war, Georgians were very patriotic and supported Pres. Woodrow Wilson and Congress' decision to join World War I, not expecting it to be as harsh as it was in all actuality.
Georgia had five federal military camps when the U.S entered WWI. The oldest military base being Fort McPherson was south of Atlanta. Fort Screven was a coastal artillery station on Tybee Island. It protected the Savannah River from unwanted ships. Augusta had the South’s oldest military storages, the Arsenal at Augusta, and Camp Hancock. The newest garrison was Fort Oglethorpe which was near the Tennessee border.
WWI was trench warfare. Both armies hid in trenches and waited for someone to cross the flat land to be shot down. In some battles, the soliders were instructed to shot at any person that tried to run back to the trenches.
Georgia had five federal military camps when the U.S entered WWI. The oldest military base being Fort McPherson was south of Atlanta. Fort Screven was a coastal artillery station on Tybee Island. It protected the Savannah River from unwanted ships. Augusta had the South’s oldest military storages, the Arsenal at Augusta, and Camp Hancock. The newest garrison was Fort Oglethorpe which was near the Tennessee border.
WWI was trench warfare. Both armies hid in trenches and waited for someone to cross the flat land to be shot down. In some battles, the soliders were instructed to shot at any person that tried to run back to the trenches.