IPCs

@Flashman:

But in reality the AEF only made an impact in Europe in the Summer of 1918. It took them a long time to organize an army, ship it to France, equip it with British and French weaponry, and train it in modern warfare.

In addition, General Pershing insisted that they only fight in American army divisions; he wasn’t having them just reinforce the Allied positions under foreign command.

Its also totally unfair that America can build an army without the slightest chance for the CPs to attack it. Right up 'till early 1917, America was firmly isolationist and had no intention of spending money on a modern army.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Expeditionary_Forces

Let’s not forget, however, that America had just fought a multi-theatre war against Spain not 20 years before, and intervened in the Mexican Revolution earlier that year. The idea that they were a completely backwards, non-modern power is a bit of an overstatement.

True, by 1917 they hadn’t had the experience of 3 years of brutal modern combat that the Brits and the French had, and they certainly didn’t want to switch their heavy industry over to tank and weaponry production, but by the early 20th century, America was definitely a world player.

The Mexican expedition was a complete fiasco - they didn’t even find the enemy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Expedition

This in part persuaded the Germans that America was not a serious threat, and prompted the decision to go for USW.

If America had been building a modern army for three years the German’s attitude would’ve been very different.

America should at least be able to build a navy, she had a bitchin navy by the time she entered the war.

The US should just start with another transport and a cruiser but not be allowed to do anything until:

Paris is attacked or contested.
German land units occupy a territory on the British Isles or Canada.
Germany has declared USW.

OR roll a die at the beginning of US turn 3 onward. If the result is less than the current turn the allies have persuaded the US to enter the war/Zimmerman note intercepted/Lusitania Sunk, etc.

(US enters on turn 3 on 2 or less. On turn 4 on 3 or less, turn 5, on 4 or less, etc. The US will be at war no later than turn 7)