The US in World War I: 1914-1918

WORLD WAR I

Militarism – European nations built up large armies & navies to protect their national interests.

Alliances – Nations created a web of alliances & pledged to come to one another’s defense in the event of an attack.

Imperialism – The Great Powers competed for territories in Africa, Asia, & the Middle East.

Nationalism – Movements such as Pan-Germanism led to ill-feelings among nations.

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

Immediate Cause – The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife Sophie set off a chain of war declarations throughout Europe.Allied Powers – Great Britain, France, Russia

Central Powers – Germany, Austria-Hungary

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

President Wilson issued a Proclamation of Neutrality after the start of the war in 1914.Most Americans were anti-German from the outset of the war. Threatened by the rapid

rise of Germany Angered by Germany’s

attack on Belgium Outraged by stories

reported in the British press

PRECARIOUS US NEUTRALITY

British & French war orders served to boost the US economy in the early years of the war.US trade with the Allies reached $2.4 billion.

In addition, J.P. Morgan & other bankers lent the Allies over $3 billion

US MONEY FLOWS TO EUROPE

Germany announced in 1915 that it would use submarines to sink ships carrying “contraband.”The submarine was a new war technology that did not fit existing international law.

Wilson warned Germany that it would be held to “strict accountability” for any attacks on US vessels or citizens.

The British passenger liner, Lusitania, was sunk off the coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915 – 128 Americans die.

THE LUSITANIA INCIDENT

THE LUSITANIA INCIDENT

In March 1916, Germany torpedoed the French passenger steamer, the Sussex. Wilson & Germany agreed to an

uneasy truce:

Germany agreed not to sink passenger & merchant ships without warning.

The US agreed to persuade the Allies to end their naval blockade.

THE SUSSEX ULTIMATUM

Republican – Charles Evans HughesPlatform – Condemned the lower tariff, assaults on trusts, & Wilson’s indecisiveness in dealing with Mexico & Germany

Democrat – Woodrow WilsonSlogan – “He kept us out of war.”

THE ELECTION OF 1916

THE ELECTION OF 1916

In January 1917, Wilson called on European leaders to reach a “peace without victory” in order to end the war.

In that same month, Germany announced a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.All ships, including American ones, would be sunk.

Justified the policy using the Sussex pledge as the US had not persuaded the Allies to end their blockade.

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR

Wilson broke diplomatic relations with Germany but refused to move toward war unless Germany attacked US lives & property.Asked Congress for the authority to arm US merchant ships, but Midwestern Senators blocked the measure.

Used the Zimmerman Telegram to get Congressional approval for the measure. Germany had proposed an alliance with Mexico –

join against the US & win back TX, NM, & AZ. Americans, especially westerners, were outraged.

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR

Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on 2 April 1917 – accepted 4 days later.

Wilson sought to instill idealism in order to inspire Americans to fight. In doing so, he claimed: US was not fighting for profit or territorial conquest US wanted to shape an international order in which

democracy could flourish – “Make the world safe for democracy”

These ideals were essential to Wilson’s Fourteen Points.

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR

The Committee of Public Information (CPI) was created to sell America on the war & to sell the world on Wilsonian war aims.Headed by George CreelEstablished voluntary censorship of the pressPublished propaganda, including posters & movies

Set up volunteer Liberty Leagues in every community Urged members to spy on their neighbors & report

any suspicious words or actions

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

Anti-German hysteria swept the US, largely due to Creel Committee propaganda.Resulted in rampant rumor of spying & sabotage

German courses were discontinued in many schools

Orchestras stopped playing Wagner & Beethoven

Food items were renamed

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES

Espionage Act of 1917 Provided fines &

imprisonment for persons making false statements, aiding the enemy, inciting rebellion in the military, or obstructing draft recruitment

Sedition Act of 1918 Forbade any criticism of

the government, flag, or uniform

Targeted Socialists & members of the IWW, including Eugene V. Debs & “Big Bill” Haywood

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES

Schenck v. United States Upheld the constitutionality

of the Espionage Act Justice Oliver Wendell

Holmes, Jr. ruled that Congress could limit free speech when words represented “a clear & present danger…that…will bring about…evils that Congress has the right to prevent.” For example, a person could not

“cry fire in a crowded theater.”

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES

The nation’s economy was not originally geared for war.

Bernard Baruch was appointed to head the War Industries Board in March 1918. Sought to control raw materials, production,

prices, & labor relations. Never really had much power & was disbanded

within days of the armistice. US businesses opposed government controls Democrats lost power in the 1918 Congressional

elections

MOBILIZING INDUSTRY

US workers were mobilized with the slogan, “Labor Will Win the War.”

Over 1 million women entered the workforce. Worked in munitions plants, ran

elevators, delivered messages, etc. Prompted Wilson to endorse

women’s suffrage as a “vitally necessary war measure.”

The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920

MOBILIZING LABOR

Thousands of African Americans migrated north to work in war-related factories.The War Department issued a “work or fight” rule in 1918

W.E.B. DuBois saw the war effort as a way to improve life for African Americans

Led to race riots in 26 cities

MOBILIZING LABOR

MOBILIZING LABOR

The National War Labor Board was created to oversee labor disputes during the war. William Howard Taft was chairman & Samuel

Gompers served as a board member. Essentially prohibited strikes, while encouraging

progressive such as higher wages, an 8-hour work day, & unionization. Union membership increased from 2.5 million in

1916 to 4 million in 1919.

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) used labor sabotage – including 6,000 strikes – to undermine the war effort.

MOBILIZING LABOR

The Food Administration Headed by Herbert Hoover Relied on voluntary

compliance Called for self-denial to

support the war effort Proclaimed “Wheatless

Wednesdays” & “Meatless Tuesdays”

Encouraged “Victory Gardens” The 18th Amendment was

ratified in 1919 Resulted in increased farm

production & food exports to the Allies

MOBILIZING THE ECONOMY

Wilson proposed universal male conscription to raise an army. The Selective Service Act

passed in May 1917 Required registration of all men

ages 18-45 Did not allow men to purchase

exemptions or hire substitutes Increased the size of the

army from 200,000 to over 4 million 400,000 African Americans

served in segregated units 11,000 women served in the

navy

MOBILIZING THE ARMY

The War at Sea US & Britain began a

convoy system in July 1917 Dramatically decreased

losses from U-Boat attacks

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Took Russia out of the war

& ceded vast territories to the Central Powers

Allowed Germany to re-deploy its divisions to the front in France

THE US – OVER THERE

The Western Front: FranceGermany launched a massive offensive on

the Western Front in the Spring 1918

The American Expeditionary Force – under the command of General John Pershing – were sent to France in May 1918 Initially used as replacements in the Allied armies Played a key role in stopping the German advance

to Paris during the Second Battle of the Marne Chateau-Thierry Belleau Wood

THE US – OVER THERE

The Western Front: France

In September, the AEF participated in the Battle of the Argonne Forest – the fi nal Allied off ensive of the war Marked the largest battle

thus far in American history Fought for 47 days & engaged

1.2 million American soldiers Suffered 10% casualties

It was here that Sergeant Alvin York captured 132 German prisoners

THE US – OVER THERE

The End of the WarBy October 1918,

German generals warned their government of their imminent defeat

The German government turned to a seemingly moderate Wilson & sought a peace based on his Fourteen Points Wilson demanded the

Kaiser’s removal before an armistice could be negotiated

On 11 November 1918, Germany laid down its arms

THE US – OVER THERE

Wilson’s post-war popularity in the world was unprecedented. Viewed as a savior by millions in Europe

Democrats lost control of Congress in the 1918 elections.

Wilson infuriated Republicans by personally going to the Paris peace conference.No sitting president had traveled to EuropeExcluded Republicans from the delegation

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE

Negotiated by the Big Four US-Wilson, Britain-David

Lloyd George, France-Georges Clemenceau, Italy-Vittorio Orlando

European leaders did not embrace Wilson’s ideas Might foil their

imperialistic plans Wanted to punish

Germany

Meanwhile, Europe seemed to be slipping into anarchy

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE

Wilson’s goals included a world parliament to be known as the League of Nations. Called on all members to

protect the “territorial integrity” & “political independence” of all other members – collective security

Permanent members – US, France, Britain, Italy, & Japan

General Assembly – 42 Allied & neutral countries

Excluded Germany & Russia

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE

Terms of the Treaty of VersaillesArticle 231 – War Guilt Clause

Blamed Germany for World War IForced Germany to pay reparations totaling $31 billion to the Allies & accept severe military restrictions & loss of territory

Granted self-determination to Poland, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Lithuania, & Estonia

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

Faced significant opposition in the United States Republicans, led by Henry

Cabot Lodge, threatened to kill the treaty if Wilson did not provide provisions for preserving the Monroe Doctrine & a means for the US to leave the League

Weakened Wilson’s bargaining position – final treaty contained only about 4 of the original 14 Points

Gets bogged down in the Senate

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

Wilson decides to appeal directly to the American people by going on an ambitious speechmaking tour. Doctors & friends advise him against the tour,

but he had become obsessed with the Treaty Followed by “Irreconcilable Senators” who

opposed the Treaty in any form

Wilson collapsed in Colorado on September 25, 1919. Partially paralyzed by stroke several days later Did not meet with his cabinet for 7.5 months

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

Henry Cabot Lodge wrote 14 formal reservations to the Treaty.Preserved Congress’s war-making powers

Wilson rejected the Lodge Reservations & ordered Democrats to vote against the amended Treaty.Loyal Democrats & “Irreconcilable Senators” voted against the Treaty – 55-39

US negotiated a separate peace with Germany in July 1919

LODGE RESERVATIONS