As the population increased, it spread over the Appalachian Mountains into the Mississippi Valley, and westward to the Pacific Ocean. Immigration has been very important in this rapid growth in population. The number of immigrants who have come to the United States from other countries, during the past hundred years, is over 34,000,000. To-day the population includes people from almost every country in the world. Questions and Topics for Discussion How does the present size of our country compare with its size in 1783? How does the present population compare with the population at that time? What was our first addition in territory? How did the purchase of Louisiana increase our area? From what country was Florida purchased? How did we obtain the Oregon Country? How was Texas acquired? California and New Mexico? From what country was Alaska bought? Tell about the wealth of Alaska. When was Hawaii annexed? What territory was added as a result of the Spanish-American War? What sum of money was paid to Spain for the Philippines? When was the Panama Canal zone acquired? Why were we anxious to obtain it? In what year were the Danish West Indies purchased? Why were they purchased? Which has been greater, our increase in population or our increase in area? How has immigration affected our increase in population? How many immigrants have come to America within the last hun dred years? What countries are represented in our population? LESSON XXXI AMERICA'S PART IN THE WORLD WAR NOTE TO TEACHER. Locate the places referred to in the text. In August, 1914, the World War began. It was fought between the Central Powers of Europe on the one hand, and the Allies on the other. The Central Powers included Germany and AustriaHungary, assisted by Turkey, and later Bulgaria. The Allies included Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, England, and Japan, joined later by Italy, Portugal, Roumania, and Greece. In the beginning the United States was neutral, that is, it did not take sides with either the Allies or the Central Powers. Many believed that we could help the countries at war to make peace. But there were repeated wrong doings and cruelties on the part of Germany. She invaded Belgium, which was a neutral state. She committed many unjustifiable acts, disregarding her treaties, one of which she called a "scrap of paper." She sent spies to the United States and tried to bring about war between our country and Mexico. She sank the Lusitania, on which many Americans lost their lives. She persisted in submarine warfare, drowning citizens of the United States and destroying our property. The United States protested, and Germany promised to stop this inhuman warfare. Nevertheless, on January 31, 1917, she gave notice that from the next day on, she would sink all ships sailing to or from England, France, or Klinedinst the other Allies. Our country could stand these injustices no longer. The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. It was plain that Germany was fighting for power to rule the world. The war had become a struggle for liberty. The United States entered the fight in order that the cause of freedom might live, not only in the United States but throughout the world. WOODROW WILSON President Wilson made it clear that we did not fight for gain. We did not enter the war to obtain fame, land, or money. The world had to be made safe for Democracy, and America had to fight for this safety. We were not prepared for war. But the whole nation,men, women, and children, put their minds, hands, and hearts into a mighty effort to win. We worked together as we had never done before. Native-born and foreign-born alike took arms against autocracy. Thousands of volunteers joined the regular army, but still there were not enough to fight the enemy. So Congress passed the Selective Draft Law, as the fairest and most democratic way of raising a new army. Within a year 1,500,000 soldiers were under arms. Before the war was over, more than 3,750,000 men had been added to the army. Training camps were provided to teach the men the methods of modern warfare. There were schools for soldiers who had never learned our language. Congress voted $2,000,000,000 to build ships. These ships were needed to carry soldiers, food, munitions, and other supplies to Europe. The money needed to carry on the war was raised by direct taxation, and by a series of popular loans. Liberty Bonds were bought by rich and poor. School children joined in buying War Savings Stamps. All united in a supreme effort to protect liberty. Command of the American forces was given to General John J. Pershing. In June, 1917, General Pershing crossed the ocean to make ready for the coming of our soldiers. The Americans soon began to arrive. They were instructed in the methods of the enemy. On October 23, only six months from the time we entered the war, a body of American troops took over from the French, a section of the battle line. Questions and Topics for Discussion When did the World War begin? By whom was it fought? What countries were included among the Allies? What stand was taken by the United States in the beginning? What influenced us to enter the war? On what date was war declared? What was our purpose in entering the war? What cause did we defend? For what did we fight? Were we prepared for war? How did the American people work together to win the war? Within a year how many men were under arms? How many men were added to our army before the war was over? How was the money raised that was needed to carry on the war? To whom was command of the American forces given? On what date did a body of American troops take over a section of the battle line? How many months was this from the time war was declared? LESSON XXXII AMERICA'S PART IN THE WORLD WAR (Continued) The soldiers at the front and in the camps were only part of the American army. The workmen in the mills making munitions and clothing, the farmers in the fields raising food, the ship builders, and the miners were needed. The women and the children who knitted, the various organizations that looked out for the soldiers' social welfare, all helped to win the war. Women took up the tasks laid down by the men when they answered their country's call. Some went to the |