The Great War and it's Villains and Heroes

Welcome to video eight, "The Great War and its Villains and Heros." World War I was one of the two greatest world events of the 20th century.

The nations involved were called the Central Powers, mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, now known as Turkey.

Their foes were called the Allies, mainly Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Serbia, and in the last year and a half of the war, the United States. It ended with the defeat of the Central Powers.

The war was virtually unprecedented in the slaughter, carnage, and destruction it caused. Over 16 million people, soldiers and civilians alike, were dead by the end of the conflict. 

With dwindling armies, France asked America for more reinforcements. General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, sent regiments in the 93rd Division to fight in France. The French had experience fighting alongside Black soldiers from their Senegalese French Colonial army.

Over 350,000 African American soldiers would serve in World War I in various capacities. With over 191 days on the front lines, longer than any AEF regiment, France awarded them the Croix de Guerre for their heroism.

And finally, our most unlikely hero, or maybe most likely, being dogs are our best friends. Stubby (1916–1926) a stray dog, became the most decorated dog in U.S. history and the first to receive a rank in the U.S. Armed Forces.