Georgia during World War I

SS8H7d:

•Give reasons for World War I and describeGeorgia’s contribution.

In August 1914, President Woodrow Wilson asked Americans to remain impartial in thought and deed toward the war that had just broken out in Europe. Wilson wanted the United States to exemplify the democratic commitment to peace, but "The Great War" continually challenged the nation's neutrality.

President Woodrow Wilson tried to keep America out of World War I, and succeeded in postponing U.S. entry into the war for almost three years.

World War I was:**Originally called the “Great War” due to the numerous

nations that fought and the great cost of lives and property.

**Broke out in Europe in August 1914 between the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, and Russia) and the

Central Powers (Germany, Austrian-Hungary Empire, and the Ottoman Empire)

**Over 9 million soldiers died as well as over 5 million civilians died (22 million soldiers injured)

** United States remained neutral until April 1917 ( war had already gone on for 20 months), then joined Allied Powers

Causes of World War I

***Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (heir to throne in Austrian-Hungary Empire) in August 1914 by Serbian nationalists-------- starts a chain of events that lead to war

1. System of Secret Treaties- Alliances

2. Competition between empires

a. Militarism – government with a strong military spirit or policy

b. Imperialism--the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire

c. Nationalism -- devotion and loyalty to one's own nation

3. Smaller ethnic groups (Serbs, Poles, etc.) wishing self-determination

“Trench Warfare” was most common method of fighting during war

Trench Warfare

What previous

war that we’ve

studied also saw

this level of

destruction?

Péronne during the Battle of the Somme, 1916--Robert

Carlson. "Don't be angry, just be amazed," was the

calling card left by Germans on the destroyed town

hall of Péronne after their withdrawal to the

Hindenberg

Civil War – Sherman’s

March to the Sea.

Many new weapons of war used for first time during World War I

United States’ Involvement during war

United States declared the Neutrality Proclamation at start of war (President Washington urged all future presidents not to be involved in European wars!)

U.S. claimed “freedom of the seas” meaning they can trade with any warring nation

Yet U.S. gets drawn into war:

1. German U-Boats sinking ships

2. Anti-German propaganda (German atrocities)

3. Zimmerman telegram (Germany ally with Mexico?)

GEORGIA

CONTRIBUTIONS

TO

WORLD WAR I

SOLDIERS

and

WOMEN

VOLUNTEERS

MILITARY

TRAINING

CAMPS

SUPPLIES

Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)

Military Personnel from Georgia

Number who served: 100,000 men and women to the

war effort

Military Training Facilities in Georgia

Fort McPherson, Fort Oglethorpe, and Camp Benning

were most notable

Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)

Textile Mills

Georgia’s mills produced material for

uniforms, blankets, coats, and other needed

supplies

Southern Textile Mills

Georgia’s Textile Mills

Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)

Railroads

Railroads in Georgia helped to transport supplies,

weapons, and food to various cities in the North for

shipment to Europe as well as to the various forts

across the state

Railroads also transported soldiers for training across

the state

Georgia’s Railroads

Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)

Farms

Germans blindsided the Allies with chlorine gas, which was very painful and detrimental; they would use this weapon in the trenches

American chemist James Bert Garner discovered a solution to the problem in 1915, when he realized the chlorine gas could be subdued with activated charcoal, made from natural fibers such as those found in peach pits.

Georgia farms were important in supplying not only food for soldiers but also now for this activated charcoal

• Textile Mills How they helped the war effort:

Railroads How they helped the war effort:

Farms How they helped the war effort:

Sewing circles How they helped the war effort:

Bond Drives How they helped the war effort:

Red Cross What is it? How it helped the war effort:dispatched a ship to Europe loaded with medical personnel and supplies

Victory Gardens What were they: How they helped the war effort:

PEACH FARMS

Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)

Sewing Circles

Many women wanted to help the war effort on the homefront, but weren’t allowed to join the military

Sewing circles were organized, mostly by women married to soldiers, to sew clothes and flags for the soldiers overseas

Bond Drives

A bond is like a loan: the holder of the bond is the lender (creditor), the issuer of the bond is the borrower (debtor), and the coupon is the interest.

Bonds were sold by the US government to help pay for the war; many Americans saw it as a patriotic act to “loan” their money to the government during the war

Sewing circles

War Bond Drives during World War I

Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)

Red Cross

Founded at the beginning of WWI; sent “mercy

ships” to Europe to provide medical care, supply food

and clothing, and to generally support civilians and

soldiers alike

Many women joined Red Cross relief efforts by

volunteering their time to create supply boxes OR by

becoming relief workers and nurses who would go to

Europe

Red Cross

Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)

Victory Gardens

During WWI, families were encouraged to plant home

gardens at their residences or in public parks in order

to reduce the pressure on the public food supply

brought on by the war effort.

The message was this: “Whatever food you aren’t

eating at home can be sent overseas for a soldier in

need”

Victory Gardens during World War I

**War officially ends on November 11, 1918

(Armistice Day)**The Central Powers lose

land and power

• 100,000 men and women to the war effort