Historian's Corner



Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
Historian's Corner
January 6, 2017

Photo: World War 1 – “The Great War – The War to end all wars.” The United States entered the war in 1917 – 100 years ago.

When Europe plunged into war in 1914, President Wilson (28th President 1913-1921), who like many Americans believed in neutrality, saw America’s role as that of a peace broker. He was re-elected by a narrow margin and after the election Wilson concluded that America could not remain neutral in the World War. The sinking of the passenger liner Lusitania by a German U-boat helped to shatter that hope. On April 2, 1917, he asked Congress for a declaration of war on Germany.

Massive American effort slowly tipped the balance in favor of the Allies. Wilson went before Congress in January 1918, to enunciate American war aims-the Fourteen Points, a program for a world without imperialism or secret treaties, where self-determination and democracy would flourish, and where the voices of weak nations would be heard as loudly as those of the strong. After the Germans signed the Armistice in November 1918, Wilson went to Paris to try to build an enduring peace. He later presented to the Senate the Versailles Treaty, containing the Covenant of the League of Nations, and by seven votes the Versailles Treaty failed in the Senate.

As a one hundred percent American Township, Sandy Creek entered the World War with practically one hundred per cent of her resources, and almost every man, woman and child within the borders of the township played a greater or less part in the winning of the war.

We take some pride in the fact that over fifty young men, residents or former residents of Sandy Creek, crossed the ocean and participated in over thirty of the most important and decisive actions of the conflict, including Ypres, St. Eloi and other early battles with the Canadian forces in 1914 and 1915, with the British forces at Cambrai and elsewhere, and under the Stars and Stripes at Verdun, Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Aisne-Marne, the breaking of the Hindenburg line, and many other engagements of note. But we must not forget that the war was not won entirely by the men in the front line trenches. History will record that the breaking down of the German morale which led to the Armistice was due not only to the two million American boys of the A. E. F., fighting shoulder to shoulder with our gallant allies, but also to the fact that there were several million more of America’s finest youth in training in the camps and colleges on this side, making ready to join their comrades at the front; and that back of a united American Army stood a united American people, the older men, the stout hearted women, and even the little children, in solid ranks, hoping, praying, working and sacrificing for the successful outcome of the war. (William A. Prescott - Centennial Souvenir History, Sandy Creek, New York 1925)

Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
1992 Harwood Drive
Sandy Creek, NY 13145
315-387-5456 x7
office hours: Friday 9am to 2pm
www.sandycreeknyhistory.com