Reactions to the Realities of War

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 25 views

The Unseen Realities of War: American Soldiers' Experiences in World War I

World War I, one of the most devastating conflicts in human history, left an indelible mark on the world. The war, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, involved many countries, including the United States, which entered the war in 1917. The American soldiers who fought in the war experienced a range of emotions, from excitement and patriotism to fear, anxiety, and disillusionment. In this article, we will explore the experiences of American soldiers during World War I, including their feelings when they entered the war, their reactions to the realities of war, and the problems they encountered when they returned home.

American Soldiers' Feelings When They Entered the War

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, many American soldiers felt a sense of excitement and patriotism. They saw the war as an opportunity to serve their country and defend democracy. President Woodrow Wilson's quote, "Right is more precious than peace," resonated with many soldiers, who believed that they were fighting for a just cause. The soldiers were also motivated by a sense of adventure and a desire to see the world. Many had never left their hometowns before, and the prospect of traveling to Europe was a thrilling experience.

However, as the soldiers arrived in France, they began to realize the harsh realities of war. They were exposed to the sights and sounds of combat, including the smell of gas, the sound of artillery fire, and the sight of wounded soldiers. The soldiers were also shocked by the scale of the war, which was much larger than they had anticipated. The trenches, which were supposed to be temporary, became a permanent fixture of the war, and the soldiers were forced to live in squalid conditions.

Reactions to the Realities of War

As the soldiers experienced the realities of war, they began to react in different ways. Some soldiers were shocked and disillusioned by the harsh conditions, while others became desensitized to the violence and death. The soldiers were also exposed to the psychological effects of war, including shell shock, which was a precursor to what we now know as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The soldiers' reactions to the realities of war were also influenced by their social and economic backgrounds. Soldiers from urban areas, such as New York City, were more likely to be exposed to the harsh realities of war, while soldiers from rural areas, such as the Midwest, were more likely to be sheltered from the worst of the war. The soldiers' reactions to the realities of war also varied depending on their rank and position. Officers, who were often from more affluent backgrounds, were more likely to be exposed to the harsh realities of war, while enlisted men, who were often from more working-class backgrounds, were more likely to be sheltered from the worst of the war.

Problems Encountered by American Veterans

When the war ended in 1918, American veterans returned home to a mixture of celebration and disillusionment. The soldiers were hailed as heroes, but they were also met with a range of problems, including:

Adjustment to civilian life: Many soldiers struggled to adjust to civilian life, which was vastly different from the military environment. They had to readjust to a peacetime economy, which was struggling to recover from the war.
Physical and mental health problems: Many soldiers suffered from physical and mental health problems, including shell shock, which was a precursor to what we now know as PTSD.
Unemployment and poverty: Many soldiers struggled to find employment, and those who did found themselves in low-paying jobs. The soldiers were also forced to live in poverty, which was a stark contrast to the relative prosperity of the pre-war era.
Social and cultural changes: The war had brought about significant social and cultural changes, including the rise of feminism and the decline of traditional values. The soldiers were forced to adapt to these changes, which were often at odds with their own values and beliefs.

The experiences of American soldiers during World War I were complex and multifaceted. The soldiers were motivated by a sense of patriotism and adventure, but they were also exposed to the harsh realities of war. The soldiers' reactions to the realities of war varied depending on their social and economic backgrounds, as well as their rank and position. When the war ended, American veterans returned home to a mixture of celebration and disillusionment, and they encountered a range of problems, including adjustment to civilian life, physical and mental health problems, unemployment and poverty, and social and cultural changes.

"The American Soldier in World War I" by Edward M. Coffman
"The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century" by Jay Winter
"The War to End All Wars: The American Soldier in World War I" by Edward M. Coffman
"The Psychology of War" by Robert Jay Lifton
"The Social and Cultural History of the United States" by Eric Foner

"The American Experience in World War I" by the National World War I Museum and Memorial
"The World War I Centennial Commission" by the U.S. Department of Defense
"The History of World War I" by the Library of Congress
"The American Soldier in World War I" by the U.S. Army Center of Military History
"The War to End All Wars: The American Soldier in World War I" by the National World War I Museum and Memorial
Q&A: American Soldiers' Experiences in World War I

In our previous article, we explored the experiences of American soldiers during World War I, including their feelings when they entered the war, their reactions to the realities of war, and the problems they encountered when they returned home. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about American soldiers' experiences in World War I.

Q: What was the average age of American soldiers who fought in World War I?

A: The average age of American soldiers who fought in World War I was around 25 years old. However, some soldiers were as young as 18, while others were in their 40s.

Q: How many American soldiers were killed or wounded in World War I?

A: Over 116,000 American soldiers were killed in World War I, and more than 200,000 were wounded. These numbers represent about 10% of the total number of American soldiers who served in the war.

Q: What was the most common cause of death for American soldiers in World War I?

A: The most common cause of death for American soldiers in World War I was artillery fire, which accounted for about 40% of all deaths. Other common causes of death included machine gun fire, sniper fire, and gas attacks.

Q: How did American soldiers experience the psychological effects of war?

A: Many American soldiers experienced the psychological effects of war, including shell shock, which was a precursor to what we now know as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Soldiers who experienced shell shock often reported symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and flashbacks.

Q: What was the impact of World War I on American society?

A: World War I had a significant impact on American society, including the rise of feminism, the decline of traditional values, and the growth of the federal government. The war also led to the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

Q: How did American soldiers experience the social and cultural changes of the 1920s?

A: Many American soldiers who returned from World War I struggled to adjust to the social and cultural changes of the 1920s. The war had brought about significant changes, including the rise of jazz music, the growth of cities, and the decline of traditional values. Soldiers who had experienced the harsh realities of war often found it difficult to adapt to the more permissive and hedonistic culture of the 1920s.

Q: What was the legacy of World War I for American soldiers?

A: The legacy of World War I for American soldiers was complex and multifaceted. While the war had brought about significant changes and advancements, it had also left many soldiers with physical and emotional scars. The war had also led to a growing sense of disillusionment and cynicism among American soldiers, who had been promised a war to end all wars but had instead experienced the harsh realities of combat.

Q: How did American soldiers' experiences in World War I shape their views on war and politics?

A: American soldiers' experiences in World War I had a profound impact on their views on war and politics. Many soldiers who had experienced the harsh realities of combat became pacifists, while others became more hawkish and supportive of military intervention. The war also led to a growing sense of skepticism and distrust among American soldiers, who had been promised a war to end all wars but had instead experienced the harsh realities of combat.

"The American Soldier in World War I" by Edward M. Coffman
"The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century" by Jay Winter
"The War to End All Wars: The American Soldier in World War I" by Edward M. Coffman
"The Psychology of War" by Robert Jay Lifton
"The Social and Cultural History of the United States" by Eric Foner

"The American Experience in World War I" by the National World War I Museum and Memorial
"The World War I Centennial Commission" by the U.S. Department of Defense
"The History of World War I" by the Library of Congress
"The American Soldier in World War I" by the U.S. Army Center of Military History
"The War to End All Wars: The American Soldier in World War I" by the National World War I Museum and Memorial