State Historical Society of Iowa

"From the Battlefields of France" from General John J. Pershing, 1918

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Pershing, John J., "From the Battlefields of France," 1918

Description

This recording is a patriotic appeal by the U.S. Army to Americans for "their unshrinking support" during World War I. It was delivered by General John J. Pershing, chief of the American Expeditionary Forces. Pershing was responsible for supporting major operations in France, whose forces had been depleted and exhausted from years of trench warfare. In addition, this was the first war where American had sent soldiers abroad to defend another nation. General Pershing was also adept at determining the significance in supplying and mobilizing troops for the new type of modern warfare World War I ushered in.

Transcript of General John J. Pershing's Address, "From the Battlefields of France"

Source Dependent Questions

  • What was General Pershing's perspective? How did this influence his statement to the American public?
  • What American ideals did General Pershing invoke with the statement "everything you hold worthwhile is at stake"?
  • Considering this was the first time American troops were defending a foreign nation, how significant was homefront support to America's role in World War I according to General Pershing?

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