World War I

The Road to War

The United States Declares War

Americans on the European Front

Americans on the Home Front

Global Peacemaker

Chapter 12

Causes of World War I Imperialism – European powers scrabble for territory brought

tensions By 1910, most territory was claimed. Countries started fighting over

resource rich lands Militarism – Policy of aggressively building up military in preparation

for war Great powers of Europe were all armed for battle and were looking for an

excuse to use Nationalism- Believing your country was the best and acting in own

self interest When acting in own best interest went against the interests of another, it

could lead to war Another type of “NATIONALISM” was seen in countries with different

ethnic groups The group in power would discriminate (often brutally) against the minority

group Minority group would eventually fight back (wanting to control the power)

Alliances – Countries allied with others for protection, SECRETLY Smaller countries were emboldened when they believed they had a

powerful ally behind them

The Road to war

Assassination of Austria-Hungary’s Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand will set off a series of overreactions

War was declared after Serbia did not meet demandsAs a result, Austria-Hungary (and their ally Germany) and

Serbia (and their ally Russia) began World War IGermany declared war on Russia using a strategy known as

the Schlieffen Plan To avoid a 2 front war, Germany planned to sweep through

France quickly, then turn and fight Russia To reach France quickly, Germany cut through Belgium.

England was allied with Belgium so they declared war on Germany

One week after it started, the great powers of Europe were at war

The Conflict expands

Allies Central/Axis

Serbia Austria-HungaryRussia GermanyFrance ItalyEngland Ottoman EmpireBelgium

LaterItalyUnited States

Allied powers & Central powers

Map of Early Alliances

Each side felt they would win quickly. Both were very wrong

Germany quickly invaded France, but were stopped

Both sides dug in and a STALEMATE followedTRENCH WARFARE – “No Mans Land” – In

France, miles of trenches were dug to protect the troops. Warfare became a series of stalemate attacks, gaining little ground but costing lives with every attack

Stalemate

With the original battlegrounds of France in stalemate, other fronts opened

Russia – Germany had to send valuable troops from France to Russia when Russia began to make headway in the battles

Italy – When Italy changed sides, war broke out in ItalyTurkey – The Allies attacked and gained ground at Gallipoli against the Ottoman EmpireThe pattern of trench warfare was used in each new front of the war, with devastating effects

Many Fronts

1914 – youth of Europe marched off for glory and adventureNew technologies made the battlefields of World War I

ruinousMachine GunsRapid Fire ArtilleryHand GrenadesTanksPoison GasAirplanesSubmarines

Generals used old style tactics against new weapons, millions will die

Moral will sink as death rate rises

Modern warfare

People in US watched at Europe sank into warLoyalties split – 1/3 of US were 1st or 2nd generation

immigrants with ties to countries now at warGerman and Irish immigrants felt hostility towards

EnglandMost Americans favored the Allies. Their roots traced

to British, French backgroundsKaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was an autocrat and

militaristicBritish news used propaganda to sway US opinion –

it worked

The american response

Use your books (p.419) to do the followingExplain what the PREPAREDNESS

MOVEMENT wasExplain what the PEACE MOVEMENT wasHow did Congress react to these two sides

when it comes to American involvement in World War I?

Preparedness vs. Peace Movements

American Neutrality Trade strongly set US policy – the US traded with both sides at first Trade to Germany will decline as war went on On August 4, 1914, President Wilson officially declared the US

NEUTRAL The Preparedness Movement

American business leaders welcomed neutrality, believing they could profit by provided goods to both sides

Those with stronger commercial ties to GB urged US to prepare National Security League formed to promote “patriotic education

and national sentiment and service among the people of the United States

The Peace Movement Progressives pushed for PEACE “American Union Against

Militarism” Congress, which was controlled by Progressives, insisted on paying

for preparedness with income taxes, believing this would make such programs very unpopular

The american response

German Submarine Warfare Very effective military tactic cost Germany US support U-Boats changed the rules of naval warfare – blocked British

ports, sank Allied ships Passenger & merchant ships had NO defense, were easy targets American sentiment grew against barbaric German attacks LUSITANIA – British luxury liner sank – 1,200 killed (128

Americans) American press wildly denounced German attack Wilson urged patience, but the call for retaliation rose Germany promised to stop sinking non-military ships (Sussex

Pledge) Wilson still held hopes of keeping the US out of the war, but began

to back preparedness

The United States Declares war

President Wilson ran and won election on the promise he would keep the United States out of the war, but shortly after the election, Germany announced they would resume unrestricted submarine warfare – the US broke off diplomatic relations with Germany

Zimmermann Note – England revealed an intercepted message to US from Germany to Mexico. Germany would reward Mexico with lands in SW United States if they would declare war on the USNo one took note seriously, especially Mexico. But

release of content of note to press brought outrage in the US

Moving towards war

Russian Revolution By 1917, Russia had already suffered huge losses (1.5 M dead, 2.5 M

captured) German forces were advancing thru Russia, with Czar in command

of military Fear of allying with an AUTOCRAT, US delayed entry as ally with

Russia Czar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate the throne and Russia pulled

out of war Year long civil war ends in Communist government in control of

Russia, led by LeninThe War Resolution

Germany continued to sink ships, including US ships Memphis, Illinois and Vigilancia

Wilson finally asked Congress to declare war in April of 1917, to cheering politicians

Moving towards war

What were to 4 causes of World War I?Name the 2 sides and give 3 countries that

belonged to each sideWhat was a STALEMENT?Why did the US choose to remain neutral?How did U-Boats change the war?What was the Zimmermann Note and how did

it impact US neutrality?

Quick Review

Preparing for WAR Draftees and Volunteers

Congress sent Allies loans and supplies at first A token force of 14, 500 sent under command of General Pershing Pershing found the situation dire and demanded more troops be sent By 1918, more than 1 million US soldiers in Europe. By 1919, 3

million Selective Service Act instituted a DRAFT. By end of 1918 more than

24 million had registered Lottery picked 3 million draftees American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) – volunteers Women also volunteered to serve as nurses, drivers and clerks

Americans on the European front

Training for WarSoldiers learned how to use a bayonet and rifle, dig a trench,

put on a gas mask and throw a grenadeTraining cut short, trained on ships on way to war

The Convoy SystemNeeded to create a plan to protect ships, soldiers and

supplies from UboatsUnarmed ships surrounded by destroyers, torpedo boats, etcSo successful that Uboats did not sink a single ship from US

to Europe

Americans on the European front

American Soldiers in Europe “Doughboys”American troops kept separate from Allied troops (angering

Alliies)Allies surprised by the fighting attitude and skills of US

soldiersMore than 300,000 African Americans served thou saw little

combatOne segregated regiment, the Hell Fighters, were loaned to

the French. They fought so well that they received the French Croix de Guerre

Americans on the european front

Russia and Germany signed a peace treaty in March 1918, allowing Germany to turn its entire force towards France

About the same time, American troops were reinforcing the French and GB

Germany broke through lines and began marching towards ParisAmerican Troops save Paris

Pershing ordered troops to stop German advance, and they did This turned the tide of the war

Allied Counter Attack With Germans in retreat, 250,0000 more American troops arrived

with fresh supplies The Tank is used as an overwhelming force, breaking the stalemate

of trench warfare In September 1918 – 500,000 American troops and Allied troops

hit the German lines. German troops began their retreat

Turning the tide of war

War in the AirAmerica began WWI with only 55 planesUS Industry quickly set about building planes,

more advanced than any seen to that pointFirst used to scout enemy positions, but soon

“dogfights” with pistons, then machine gunsAmerican Captain Eddie Rickenbacker downed

26 German planes, 1st ACEZeppelins also used as bombers and scoutsPlanes as bombers minimally effective, but

terrorized troops on the ground

Turning the tide of the war

Central Powers collapsed – partners made separate peace leaving Germany all alone

Germany begged for peace, hoping to control the aftermath some

Allies refused, demanding complete surrenderKaiser Wilhelm fled to Holland, Germany

surrendersArmistice signed November 11, 1918 at 11 AM

(11-11-11)“All Quiet on the Western Front”

Ending the war

Influenza EpidemicWorldwide Influenza Epidemic begins in 1918.

War-torn Europe ripe for spreadFirst wave sickened 500,000 Germans during

spring/summer pushSecond, deadlier wave hit in the fall. Third wave

in the winterThis strain sickened and killed within a few daysUS hit hard as well, particularly military basesOverall, 500,000 Americans died from Influenza

in the US30 million world wide died before the epidemic

ended

Ending the war

50,000 Americans died in battle, many more from diseaseToll would have been much higher except for improved medical

careEuropean losses = over 8 million (average of 5,000 per day of

war)World War I killed an entire generation in EuropeFor every country, the sick and wounded outnumbered the deadBetter medical care meant more survivors. Amputees, Shell

Shock, those disabled by gas attacksCivilian losses were huge. Not only deaths, but homes,

livelihoodsStarvation, disease ravaged Europe for years to comeGenocide (Ottoman Empire against the Armenians)

Results of the war

What were 5 new war technologies and how did they change how war was fought?

What was the CONVOY SYSTEM?In what ways was the US unprepared for

war?What did they do to get ready for war?Why did Germany agree to the ARMISTICE in

1918?

Quick Review

Waging war required sacrifices at homeThe American economy WAS NOT ready for

the demands of wartimeFINANCING THE WAR

Liberty Bonds: special war bonds to help pay for the war ($20Billion raised)

People could “do their part” by buying bonds. Most Americans saved their pennies to buy

bonds. “Every Scot to Save a Soldier”Booths set up on street corners to sell bonds

Americans on the home front

New Agencies War industry Board: far reaching powers to use economic power

to create war supplies War Trade Board: foreign trade (punished firms doing business

with the enemy) War Labor Board: settled labor disputes than might interrupt war

productions War labor Policies Board: set wages, hours, working conditions

Regulating Food and Fuel Consumption Level Food and Fuel Control Act: President had power to manage

production and distribution of food and fuel vital to war efforts Food Administration: worked to increase food production and

reduce waste. Price controls instituted Rationing – distributing goods to consumers in fixed amounts Daylight Savings Time – instituted to increase number of hours of

daylight for working. It also lowered fuel consumption

Managing the Economy

Government imposed censorship, banned publications. Wanted to use media to encourage support for the war effort

Fear of Foreigners: Espionage suspected from foreignersLimits on immigration (nativism)

“Hate the Hun” (derisive term for German)Disloyalty would be dealt with harshly, general anti-german

feelings ran HIGHGerman things renamed, banned

Hot dogs (frankfurters), Liberty Measles (German Measles), Police Dogs (German Shepards)

Stopped teaching German in schools, banned concertPeople of german decent often changed their names to more

american sounding versions

Enforcing loyalty

Anti-German Propaganda

Repression of Civil Liberties Espionage Act – illegal to interfere with the draft Sedition Act – illegal to discuss anything “disloyal, profane,

scurrilous, or abusive about America’s government, Constitution, Army or Navy TOTALLY VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION

Prosecuted more than 1,500, convictions for over 1,000 Eugene V. Debs convicted (10 years) for urging people to “resist

militarism”Controlling Political Radicals

International Workers of the World (Wobblies) goal of a world wide overthrow of capitalism put them at odds with the government. Police hounded IWW, as they tried to disrupt mining operations

Several violent confrontations occurred. Groups of VIGILANTES attacked, beat members of the IWW

Enforcing loyalty

The Centralia Massacre was a violent and bloody incident that occurred in Centralia, Washington on November 11, 1919, during a parade celebrating the first anniversary of Armistice Day. This conflict between the American Legion and workers who were members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or "Wobblies") resulted in six deaths, additional wounded, multiple prison terms, and an ongoing and especially bitter dispute over the motivations and events that precipitated the massacre. It was the culmination of years of bad blood between members of the local Legion and members of the IWW. Both Centralia and the neighboring town of Chehalis had a large number of World War I veterans, with robust chapters of the Legion, as well as a large number of IWW members, some also war veterans.

Centralia massacre

American patriotism and war fever made military style dress and activities the norm at home – Boy Scouts, Marching (military style) in school

Social Mobility for Minorities and Women Flow of immigration virtually stopped Minorities and Women filled in at work, proving themselves

capable of anything Businesses who had blatantly discriminated against people of

color now recruited them for their workforce Pay for minorities and women rose during the war Work that had been denied to women now available 400,000 women joined the workforce during the war years Hope was that these advancements would continue after the

war. SADLY not true

Changing people’s lives

Wilson, during the war, created what he believed would be a peace plan that would create a world where war would be much less likely to reoccur

14 PointsRemoval of Trade BarriersReduction of Military ForcesRight of Self-Determination (right to make decisions

about one’s own future)Wilson traveled to Europe after the war to help

negotiate the peace treatyAllies discarded Wilson’s plan, point by point. THEY

WANTED REVENGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Global Peacemaker

Wilson headed US teamTeam did not include any Republicans (will come back to haunt

him)Wilson declared US not interested in the SPOILS OF WAR

Wilson forced to compromiseOther leaders did not agree. They wanted to make Germany

pay for warWanted to divide up Germany’s colonial holdings

Russia was a big concern to all – would Lenin’s new government survive, would they support the peace treaty?

Wilson had to make deals with the other leaders to get a treaty signed

One of the big concessions was that native people have rights in their own countries that were colonized by Germany (other countries feared they would be expected to do the same in the areas they colonized)

The Paris Peace Conference

Proposed an organization In which the nations of the world would join together to ensure security and peace for all members

All member nations agreed that an attack on one would be an attack on all

Republicans, angry about being left off the team sent to the peace conference, rejected the plan. They feared it would drag the US into another unwanted war

The League of Nations

Redrawing the map of Europe Self Determination hard to apply to all nations Most borders drawn created new ethnic majorities/minorities Czechoslovakia, Middle East created more problems

War Guilt and Reparations Germany forced to admit fault and accept financial responsibility Reparation payments of $33 Billion Germany would never forget or forgive the humiliation of the peace

treaty

Signing the Treaty Germany refused to sign, at first – threatened with invasion Versailles Treaty signed in rail car outside palace

The Peace Treaty (Wilson had to compromise with Big 4)

Pre and Post World War I Europe

Wilson returned, with Peace Treaty in hand Various groups opposed the Peace Treaty, in particular the League

of Nations Would draw US into War Would accept League of Nations with restrictions allowing the US to opt out Wanted US to live up to Monroe Doctrine, not League of Nations

WILSON TOURS COUNTRY Wilson was determined to convince the people of the US to back the Treaty Went on 23 day train trip to sell the Treaty Had a stroke, remained paralyzed/invalid the rest of his life Because of illness, Wilson became rigid and unworkable with others Senate voted, rejected Treaty 39-55 in March 1920

A FORMAL END TO HOSTILITIES Congress voted to declare war officially over Wilson VETOED, in retaliation for Senate rejection of Treaty New president, Warren Harding, will sign Congress will ratify separate peace treaties with Germany, Austria & Hungary

Public Reaction to the Peace Treaty

US had to switch back to a peace time economy, it would take time

War spurred US economy as we supplied countries ruined by war In 1922, the Senate determined that European countries owed

the US over $11 billion US now THE powerful country, owed by the past powerful

countries Returning troops (millions) needed jobs, economy did not meet

their needs well. Women expected to quit and go home Troops of color returned to being treated horridly Many artists/intellectuals found the world after the war to be

depressing and gloomy. There art reflected that The 20’s would be a fast paced, growth decade but it started out

very slow after the war

Post War Adjustments

1) What role did public opinion play in the US decision to enter World War 1?

2) How were CIVIL LIBERTIES restricted during the war? What were some of the responses to these restrictions?

3) Why did the Senate reject the Treaty of Versailles? How did the US officially end World War I?

Ch 12 Essays