The Doughboys in World War I

America Prepares for War

America declared war, but several months passed before soldiers reached the front. Americans had to be persuaded to join the war. The idea of conscription, drafting soldiers to fight, was unpopular with many Americans, but 2.8 million Americans were ultimately called to duty. Once drafted, the soldiers were quickly trained and dispatched to Europe.

Allies Welcome the Americans

The war-weary French people were thrilled to see American soldiers march through the streets of Paris in the summer of 1917. The soldiers were treated as celebrities. Many French people tossed candy or cigarettes to the soldiers to show their appreciation. An American officer announced, “Nous voici, Lafayette!” (Lafayette, we are here!) The Marquis de Lafayette helped train George Washington’s troops in the American Revolutionary War. The phrase suggested that America was ready to repay an old debt to an old friend.

Pershing and the American Spirit

The British and French planned to use the Americans as reinforcements for their fallen forces, but General John J. Pershing, the leader of the American forces, disagreed. Pershing insisted that the Americans fight together and not be spread among other Allied Forces. He understood the importance of the spirit of the soldiers. George M. Cohan captured the feelings of many soldiers in “Over There,” a song popular in the United States during the war and proudly sung by soldiers on their way to the front.

Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming
The Yanks are coming
The drums rum tumming everywhere

So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We’ll be over, we’re coming over
And we won’t come back till it’s over, over there.

The Doughboys

The American soldiers fighting during the Great War were often called “doughboys.” The term’s meaning is obscure, but the spirit of that nickname and many others helped build a sense of camaraderie among the fighting men. The eager doughboys helped lead the Allied Forces to victory in the Great War.