Why did president wilson order that american soldiers were to fight in separate units under american command? he did not trust the allied forces not to sacrifice americans first. he wanted to position the u. s. to influence the postwar settlement. he hoped to gain european territory for the u. s. during the fighting. he believed the allied commanders had demonstrated a lack of ability.

The answer is very simple: domestic politics.

President Wilson feared two things:

1) That the Allies would use the untrained and badly equipped troops as cannon fodder.

2) That US troops under foreign command would lead to public outcry.

So far, US troops had only been placed under foreign command once (US Navy at Shanghai Station under British command in 1900). This was not well received in the American press back then.

Now in reality, General Pershing, in his wisdom, realized that Allied help was needed to properly train and equip the American Expeditionary Force.

The French trained and equipped the American troops and even integrated coloured American troops in French front line units as the US Army was strictly segregated.

The US troops fought in reality under French command (and some under Belgian command as well) although the French orders were officially issued as 'suggestions' to limit political fallout in the US.

The trick worked.

b) the confederacy had to pay all union war expenses.