Road to World War I
America in the Caribbean
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No major powers directly challenged American
objectives in the Caribbean.
American leaders viewed Caribbean stability as critical
to American security
American business was heavily invested in the region—
needed stable government to do business
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In the two decades following the Spanish-American War, U.S.
intervened no fewer than 20 times
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Combination of strategic and commercial interests
Pressures on the military
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In the post-Spanish-American War army,
generally 1/3 served at overseas postings.
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Large numbers of forces in Philippines, Cuba,
Hawaii, Alaska and China.
Marines step forward to assume much of the
duty as “quick-response force”
Logical choice—close ties to Navy
 Looking for a mission
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Cuba
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Despite the Teller Amendment, Cuba did not
emerge from the war a truly independent nation.
American military remained to maintain stability
Controlled a provisional government
 Forced Cuba to lease bases-Guantanamo Bay
 U.S. intervened again in 1906, 1912 and 1917 to
protect interests
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U.S. Occupation 1908
Development of Panama Canal
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U.S. had long desired a canal through Central America
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66 day voyage of USS Oregon demonstrated need during SpAm War
1903—Intervenes in Civil War in Columbia
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Permits emergence of independent Panama
Signs canal treaty with new Panamanian gov.
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U.S. granted a lease for a 10 mile strip of land
Army given the task of constructing the canal
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General George Goethals
Colonel William Gorgas—sanitation and tropical diseases
Nicaragua
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U.S. send forces into the region several times
Troops in the region in 1909, 1912.
Marines remained in the region for over two
decades.
Marines in Nicaragua
Mexican Campaign
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Wilson allows U.S. to be repeatedly dragged into
Mexican affairs.
Unstable political situation—resentment toward U.S.
Tampico Incident—U.S. sailors arrested
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US demands apology and salute of flag
Mexico refuses—US bombards and occupies port of Vera
Cruz.
War seems likely-avoided by resignation of Mexico’s leader
Punitive Campaign
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Pancho Villa, resents American support for new
Mexican government government
Attacks Columbus, NM
John Pershing sent to deal with Villa
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Creates tension with Mexican government
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No clear mission
Clashes with Mexican government troops.
U.S. Army looks inept.
War with Mexico looks likely
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Events in Europe shift American focus
Benefits of Punitive Campaign
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Puts end to serious border problems with
Mexico
Provides intensive field training for Regulars and
National Guard
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Reveals weaknesses—time to correct
1st use of aircraft in combat--ineffective
Provides John Pershing with a command
opportunity
National Defense Act of 1916
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Nation senses threat of war in Europe
Extended the time National Guard Units could serve
 Asserts that all men 18 to 45 are subject to military
service
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Prepares way for Selective Service Act (1917)
Increases size of Regular army and National Guard
Problem—Spread over 5 years
When war starts—Army not ready
Preparedness Campaign
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Many American urged immediate steps to
prepare the nation for war
Summer Camps—General Leonard Wood
 1st camp—Plattsburgh, NY
 Young men learned drill and discipline
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Hoped to be in line for officer positions in expanded
wartime army
War in Europe
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Decent to war begins in June 1914 with
assassination of heir to Austria-Hungarian
Throne.
Product of long brewing tensions in the Balkans
region over political freedom
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Austria-Hungarian Empire was a weak
Conflict should have remained a local dispute,
except to complicated set of treaties and
alliances dividing Europe into two armed camps.
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Complex set of alliances had kept Europe at
peace since 1871.
Fairly effective in maintaining peace—
Danger--Risk of a small conflict exploding
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Two great camps:
Triple Alliance—Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
 Triple Entente—Great Britain, France and Russia
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Struggles over control of Eastern and Western
Europe.
Eastern-Russia vs. Austria-Hungary
 Western-Germany vs. France
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Pressure over control of the seas
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Great Britain vs. Germany
Schleiffen Plan
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Germany understood the risks presented by a two-front
war against France and Russia.
Developed war plan to deal with prospects.
General Alfred von Schlieffen(1905)
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Attack France immediately—invading through Belgium and
swinging into France.
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Strong right wing sweeps into France.
Expected to defeat France within 6 weeks. Move troops to
Russian front.
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Assume Russia will be very slow to mobilize its forces.
Schlieffen Plan
Problem with Germany Strategy
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German plan depended on perfect timing.
Needed to defeat France in a very short period of
time
 Needed Russia to be slow in mobilizing its forces.
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Germany’s only war plan
Required to make it fit any situation.
 Ultimately will push the crisis further.
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Consequences of Assassination
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A-H deliver ultimatum to Serbia.
Serbia gives into all A-H demands.
 A-H still declares war.
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Russia turns to support Serbia, it’s ally.
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Germany panics over Russian mobilization
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Orders mobilization of army.
Danger to Schleiffen Plan
Attacks Belgium to keep plan on track.
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Draws Britain into war
Reaction to outbreak of war
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Celebrations throughout Europe
Few understood horror of modern warfare
 Most thought the conflict would be quick and
decisive
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Home for Christmas
Advantages
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Triple Entente
Held advantage in numbers and financial resources
 Command of the Sea
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Triple Alliance
Interior lines of communication
 Initiating the attack
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German Attack
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Schleiffen Plan almost succeeds
Modified the Schlieffen Plan weakening the right
wing
 Underestimated the time needed for the Russians to
mobilize
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British and French forces able to stop the
Germans on the outskirts of Paris.
No Quick Victory
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The two camps were evenly matched
1st major wartime use of machine guns and barbed
war made it easier to defend than to attack.
 Troops began to dig into trenches to protect
themselves from artillery attacks.
 Line quickly stretches from Belgium to the Swiss
Border.
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French Trench (1916)
Submarine Warfare
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Germany since it was weaker than Britain on the
seas need to deploy alternate weapons
Submarine becomes weapon of choice.
French and especially the British were vulnerable
to the form of attack
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Imported much of their food
Use of Submarine
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Could not operate under ordinary rules of war
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Too vulnerable on the surface
Realized the British were highly vulnerable
Declare a war zone around British Isles
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Will sink all enemy merchant ships without warning
American attitude
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Seemed barbaric that defenseless civilians should
be killed without warning
Refused to surrender their rights as neutrals.
Should be able to sail on any ship, at any time.
Lusitania
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Submarine U-20 sinks the British Liner Lusitania
off the Irish coast.
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Killed 1,200 persons, including 128 Americans.
Strong reaction in America
Wilson demands that Germany promise to stop
attacking
Attack on French steamer Sussex
Germany finally pledges to stop attacking
merchant ships without warning
Calculated Risk
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Germany knew it would need to renounce the
Sussex pledge.
Armed with over 100 U-Boats, German leader
believed they could starve Allies by cutting off
American supplies
Understood America would enter war, believed
would defeat Allies before American could make
impact
Feb 1, 1917—Unrestricted Submarine Warfare.
Zimmermann Telegram
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Germans have a secret plan to form an alliance
with Mexico
Mexico would receive Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona.
Reveals to American public the intentions of the
German government.