American Intervention: The New World Arrives

American entry in April 1917 injected new energy into exhausted France. The first American troops parading through Paris on July 4, 1917, sparked near-hysteria. Crowds showered them with flowers, women kissed random soldiers, and "La Marseillaise" alternated with attempts at "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Yet American presence created unprecedented challenges. Two million Americans eventually served in France, requiring massive infrastructure. Entire ports—primarily Saint-Nazaire and Brest—transformed into American bases. The Service of Supply created an American-run transportation network paralleling French systems. French authorities watched nervously as Americans demonstrated industrial efficiency that highlighted French limitations.

Cultural encounters ranged from comic to tragic. American soldiers, many from rural backgrounds, found France simultaneously sophisticated and backward. Private Eugene Kennedy wrote: "Paris has electric lights and sidewalk cafés, but farmers still use oxen. Women smoke cigarettes but can't vote. Nothing makes sense here."

Language barriers created constant problems. The American Expeditionary Force established French language schools, but most doughboys learned only basic phrases. Misunderstandings led to conflicts—Americans accused of theft were often simply confused about prices. French civilians, exhausted by four years of war, sometimes resented American exuberance and higher pay.

African American soldiers faced unique situations. France's different racial attitudes shocked both black and white Americans. The 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters), serving with French forces, experienced equality unknown in America. Private Henry Johnson became one of the first Americans to receive the Croix de Guerre. French civilians treated black soldiers as liberators, not inferiors.

This racial mixing alarmed American military authorities. Secret orders warned against "fraternization" between black soldiers and French civilians. French authorities, pressured by American commanders, issued advisories about American racial customs. The contrast between French openness and American segregation created lasting impressions on both sides.

American women also contributed significantly. Nurses, telephone operators ("Hello Girls"), and welfare workers served throughout France. The YMCA, Salvation Army, and Red Cross established canteens and recreation facilities. These women, experiencing unprecedented freedom, often remained in France postwar, contributing to 1920s expatriate communities.