History of American tank development. Part 1

Since the end of XIX century, the United States entered a phase of rapid development in all areas: industry, science, education and culture. The Army and Navy provide guaranteed protection against any opponent in the New World, and the ocean that bathes the coast of North America, is the most reliable border protection against potential overseas rival.

In its foreign policy the United States has long followed the principle of isolationism and stay away from the exploding European wars. However, when the First World War, the situation changed somewhat. After the incident, resulting in the sinking of several merchant ships under the American flag, Wilson asked Congress for permission to enter the country into war. April 4, 1917 by the Senate and House of Representatives on April 6 United States adopted a resolution to join the United States in the First World War.

John J. Pershing, together with the first part of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, General John Joseph Pershing arrived. Earlier this captain had a chance to take part in the conflicts with the Sioux and Apaches, the Spanish-American War of 1898 and the counter-insurgency Pancho Villa. Trench warfare in Europe was quite different from how it imagined the U.S. military, and Pershing was well aware how important it is for the military striking power with a combination of mobility. No wonder that he was the initiator of the armored forces of the USA.

January 26, 1918 formation of the American Tank Corps, organization consisted of two parts: a tank corps in the American Expeditionary Force in Europe and Tank Service of the National Army, later renamed the National Army Tank Corps.