In the summer of 1917, at docks up and down the eastern seaboard, thousands of American soldiers boarded ships bound for France. They were the vanguard of a new American army, about to enter the most destructive war the world had ever known. For President Woodrow Wilson, the war was a crusade “to make the world safe for democracy,” a chance to transform the international order in America’s image.
EP2 Part 2Apr 11, 2017
As patriotism sweeps the nation — stifling free speech and dissent — a diverse group of men become the country’s first mass conscripted army.
EP3 Part 3Apr 12, 2017
As the war ends, America is forever transformed by the violent and bloody conflict. And while many herald the peace, others worry about democracy at home.
The American experience during World War I, beginning with Woodrow Wilson's vision for a new democratic world order and the mobilization of an army to fight in France.