World War IWorld War I

U.S. Involvement, Turning U.S. Involvement, Turning Points & Effects of the WarPoints & Effects of the War

U.S. InvolvementU.S. Involvement

WWI started in 1914 with the assassination WWI started in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand by of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand by Serbian nationalists. Immediately all of Europe Serbian nationalists. Immediately all of Europe was up in arms as countries began to honor their was up in arms as countries began to honor their

alliances with other nationsalliances with other nations. .

Europe Takes SidesEurope Takes Sides

Serbia refused to help Austria with the Serbia refused to help Austria with the investigation. In retaliation, Austria declared war. investigation. In retaliation, Austria declared war. Germany and Italy promised to protect Austria Germany and Italy promised to protect Austria should Britain or France interfere. However, it was should Britain or France interfere. However, it was too late. Britain, in hopes of protecting France, too late. Britain, in hopes of protecting France, declared war on Germany. WWI had begun…declared war on Germany. WWI had begun…

Triple Alliance=Triple Alliance= Germany, Italy, Austria-Germany, Italy, Austria-HungaryHungary

Triple Ententé=Triple Ententé= Great Britain, France & RussiaGreat Britain, France & Russia

IsolationismIsolationism

Although Europe was fully engaged in war, Pres. Although Europe was fully engaged in war, Pres.

Woodrow Wilson pursued a policy of Woodrow Wilson pursued a policy of isolationism.isolationism. As a humanitarian, Wilson believed in using As a humanitarian, Wilson believed in using “moral diplomacy”“moral diplomacy” or allowing other nations to or allowing other nations to deal with their own issues. He therefore, tried to deal with their own issues. He therefore, tried to keep the United States out of the war.keep the United States out of the war.

Moreover, Wilson begged Americans to remain Moreover, Wilson begged Americans to remain neutral in both thought & action. neutral in both thought & action.

““In a melting pot nation that tried to make Americans from In a melting pot nation that tried to make Americans from peoples of diverse origins, Wilson did not want to see the war set peoples of diverse origins, Wilson did not want to see the war set Americans against one another. “ Americans against one another. “ (United States History Text)(United States History Text)

Staying out of the warStaying out of the war at all costs at all costs was harder than firstwas harder than first thought.thought. Britain, FranceBritain, France and and Russia Russia needed supplies if they were to be the needed supplies if they were to be the victors. With the proliferation of victors. With the proliferation of new technologies, inventions and new technologies, inventions and industryindustry, the U.S. was poised on the brink of becoming the world’s , the U.S. was poised on the brink of becoming the world’s

leading economic power.leading economic power.

The Russian RevolutionThe Russian Revolution

Although Russia had Although Russia had joined the allied forces, joined the allied forces, back home it had bigger back home it had bigger problems to worry about. problems to worry about. In 1917, Csar Nicholas, the In 1917, Csar Nicholas, the ruler of Russia, stepped ruler of Russia, stepped down. down.

Within a year, Vladimir Within a year, Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks Lenin and the Bolsheviks took over and ushered in a took over and ushered in a Communist regime. That Communist regime. That same year, Russia backed same year, Russia backed out of the war.out of the war.

America gets involvedAmerica gets involved……

Several factors led to America’s involvement in the Several factors led to America’s involvement in the

war:war:

Germany’s invasion of Belgium, a neutral countryGermany’s invasion of Belgium, a neutral country

Germany’s attack on the passenger ship, the Germany’s attack on the passenger ship, the LusitaniaLusitania

The Zimmerman Note-Sent by Germany to Mexico in The Zimmerman Note-Sent by Germany to Mexico in hopes of forming a secret alliance against Americahopes of forming a secret alliance against America

Germany resumes submarine warfareGermany resumes submarine warfare

America gets involvedAmerica gets involved……

Germany’s invasion Germany’s invasion of Belgium in 1914 of Belgium in 1914 was horrific. Germans was horrific. Germans attacked men, attacked men, women & children in women & children in this neutral country. this neutral country. Americans were Americans were outraged, and many outraged, and many felt that it was felt that it was America’s duty to America’s duty to protect the innocent protect the innocent and stop the and stop the aggressor.aggressor.

Attack on the LusitaniaAttack on the Lusitania

May 7, 1915: German U-May 7, 1915: German U-boats sink British passenger boats sink British passenger ship, Lusitania, claiming ship, Lusitania, claiming that it was carrying that it was carrying weapons of war.weapons of war.

Dramatic newspaper Dramatic newspaper illustrations infuriated illustrations infuriated Americans, who felt the Americans, who felt the attack on innocent lives attack on innocent lives unlawful and immoral. unlawful and immoral.

Later investigations showed Later investigations showed that the Lusitania was that the Lusitania was indeed carrying a cache of indeed carrying a cache of weapons bound for Great weapons bound for Great Britain.Britain.

The Zimmerman NoteThe Zimmerman Note

January 1917-Germany, suffering a January 1917-Germany, suffering a severe shortage of supplies, sends a severe shortage of supplies, sends a telegram to Mexico.telegram to Mexico.

The Zimmerman Note proposed an The Zimmerman Note proposed an alliance with Mexico, should the U.S. alliance with Mexico, should the U.S. declare war on Germany.declare war on Germany.

Mexico would then attack the U.S. Mexico would then attack the U.S. and in return, Germany promised to and in return, Germany promised to give them back Texas, New Mexico & give them back Texas, New Mexico & Arizona.Arizona.

Zimmerman Note, Zimmerman Note, continued…continued…

The Zimmerman Note was intercepted by The Zimmerman Note was intercepted by British officials and given to American British officials and given to American authorities.authorities.

Although most leaders knew Mexico had Although most leaders knew Mexico had no intentions of attacking the U.S., no intentions of attacking the U.S., Americans were shocked by the telegram.Americans were shocked by the telegram.

The Zimmerman Note was, perhaps, the The Zimmerman Note was, perhaps, the most influential reason that Americans most influential reason that Americans entered the war in 1917.entered the war in 1917.

The Sinking of the The Sinking of the SussexSussex After the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany After the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany

made promises not to sink unarmed made promises not to sink unarmed passenger ships again without warningpassenger ships again without warning..

March 24, 1916-Germany breaks its promise by March 24, 1916-Germany breaks its promise by sinking the Sussex.sinking the Sussex.

Early 1917, desperate German leaders declare Early 1917, desperate German leaders declare unrestricted submarine warfare. This, along with unrestricted submarine warfare. This, along with the Zimmerman Note caused the U.S. to finally the Zimmerman Note caused the U.S. to finally abandon its policy of neutrality and enter the war.abandon its policy of neutrality and enter the war.

The American Homefront The American Homefront During WWIDuring WWI

Once America entered the war, several laws were Once America entered the war, several laws were passed to ensure American security:passed to ensure American security:

Espionage Act (1917)=Enacted severe penalties Espionage Act (1917)=Enacted severe penalties for anyone engaged in disloyal or treasonable for anyone engaged in disloyal or treasonable activities.activities.

Selective Service Act (1917)=Authorized the draftSelective Service Act (1917)=Authorized the draft

Sedition Act Sedition Act (“Schneck v U.S.”)=(“Schneck v U.S.”)=Authorized the Authorized the government to limit “free speech” during times of government to limit “free speech” during times of war if the words present a “war if the words present a “clear & present clear & present danger”danger” to the country. Also, made it illegal to to the country. Also, made it illegal to print, distribute or mail anti-war materials. print, distribute or mail anti-war materials.

Minorities During the WarMinorities During the War Mostly young, white males, called Mostly young, white males, called ““dough boys”dough boys” joined or were joined or were

drafted into the military to fight in the war, leaving their jobs drafted into the military to fight in the war, leaving their jobs vacant.vacant.

African Americans, wishing to escape Jim Crow Laws & southern African Americans, wishing to escape Jim Crow Laws & southern discrimination, migrated North & filled the vacant jobs.discrimination, migrated North & filled the vacant jobs.

Many Mexicans also immigrated to America and found work on Many Mexicans also immigrated to America and found work on farms in the Southwest and California.farms in the Southwest and California.

Women, too, found their way into new roles and jobs. Many Women, too, found their way into new roles and jobs. Many worked in factories helping to build weapons of war. This, along worked in factories helping to build weapons of war. This, along with gaining the right to vote in 1919, began to change society’s with gaining the right to vote in 1919, began to change society’s view of women. In the 1920s a view of women. In the 1920s a “new woman”“new woman” would emerge… would emerge…

End of the War & PeaceEnd of the War & Peace

““Peace without Victory”=Peace without Victory”= President President Wilson’s idea that the everyone should Wilson’s idea that the everyone should simply stop fighting without declaring simply stop fighting without declaring a victor. a victor.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points=Wilson’s Fourteen Points=List of terms List of terms for resolving WWI & future wars as for resolving WWI & future wars as outlined by Pres. Wilson. Included a outlined by Pres. Wilson. Included a proposal for a “League of Nations”proposal for a “League of Nations”

League of NationsLeague of Nations

World Organization World Organization established after established after WWI to promote WWI to promote peaceful cooperation peaceful cooperation between countries.between countries.

The only part of The only part of Wilson’s 14 points Wilson’s 14 points that the Allies that the Allies accepted. accepted.

Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles (ver-(ver-sigh)sigh)

Versailles, France-Treaty that ended WWIVersailles, France-Treaty that ended WWI

Britain & France demanded that Germany take Britain & France demanded that Germany take blame for the war and pay war reparations.blame for the war and pay war reparations.

ReservationistsReservationists in Congress, such as in Congress, such as Henry Cabot Henry Cabot LodgeLodge, opposed the treaty as written. Wanted , opposed the treaty as written. Wanted minor changes.minor changes.

Irreconcilables Irreconcilables in Congress refused to agree to any in Congress refused to agree to any treaty with a League of Nations for fear it would treaty with a League of Nations for fear it would require America to go to warrequire America to go to war

Congress never ratified the Treaty of VersaillesCongress never ratified the Treaty of Versailles..