American GI

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American GIsThe boys who devoted their lives to
protect this great nation

• by Wade, Ethan, Amber, Rhiannon, Lexi

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Key Content Terms

• GIs- food and supplies were provided by the
  government to the soldiers and the items were
  labeled government issue or GI. The soldiers
  began referring to themselves as GI soldiers
  based on this reason.
• Fort Dix and Fort Bragg- army reception centers
• Drill Instructors- trainers that had eight weeks
  to train the soldiers for combat
• Trainees- soldiers being trained for combat

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Opportunities

• GI Bill of Rights (Servicemen's Readjustment Act)
  which included
• Education and training opportunities
• Loan guarantees for a home, farm, or business
• Job-finding assistance
• Unemployment pay of 20 per week for up to 52
  weeks if the veteran cannot find a job
• Priority for building materials for Veterans
  Administration Hospitals

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Hardships

• GIs possessed many internal hardships
• soldiers knew that they could die any moment.
• soldiers feared their sudden death, especially
  during intense warfare.
• Experienced soldiers grew numb to the fear, while
  new soldiers feared fighting.
• Soldiers faced extreme boredom in between
  battles.
• Even after War, soldiers lives were changed
  through memories, and horrors of the War.

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Hardships (continued)

• No matter what the weather, dehydration was
  always a concern. Marching made them sweat, and
  combat left them cotton-mouthed and croaking.
  Water was often what they could dip out of a
  shell-hole. They were also treated with iodine or
  halazone tablets to kill the bugs.
• Few were ever truly ready for the intensity of
  the battlefield. The deafening blasts for
  artillery or grenades. the sequel and clatter of
  tanks on the move, and the billowing clouds of
  smoke all combined to create a surreal atmosphere
• Many men wrote letters. At night, they would try
  to put their thoughts and experiences down on
  paper for girlfriends, wives, or parents.
• Under the hard stress of the war, soldiers
  developed strong bonds of friendship

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Slides

• Intro Slide- Wade
• Key Content Terms- Rhiannon
• Opportunities- Ethan
• Hardships 1- Lexi
• Hardships 2- Amber