Discuss with a Partner
Describe the transformation in Wilson’s
outlook from “Peace without Victory” to
“Making the World Safe for Democracy.”
Review
• How did the following lead to US entry into
WWI?
• A. Loans to England?
• B. Sinking of Lusitania?
• C. Sussex Pledge?
• D. Zimmerman Telegram?
US in WWI
Home and Abroad
US Enters War
• Finally, Germans
sank some US
Ships and then
America declared
war on Germany.
• Wilson’s new goal
is to make the
world “safe for
democracy.”
How do You think US entry into
WWI changed America at home?
Organizing an Army
• The US used
conscription (draft) to
produce an army.
• Many Progressives were
for this because they
thought people from all
classes and ethnicities
would mix together.
• To pay for the war, the
Govt. raised taxes and
sold Liberty Bonds.
The Great Migration
• During the War, the
American economy
boomed.
• Also, many jobs in Northern
factories became available
as whites left to fight in
France.
• From 1915 – 1920, over ½
a million blacks left the
South for Northern cities.
Big Business, Labor and
Government
• The Govt. and Big Businesses joined
together to organize production for the war
effort.
• War Industries Board (WIB)= govt. agency
that coordinates (sets quotas and prices)
business production of war material and
supplies.
• War Industries Board (WIB)
• Bernard Baruch
• “Dollar-A-Year Men”
• National War Labor Board—mediates
labor disputes.
Dissent
• Socialists oppose war
because they feel it only
benefits capitalists.
• Women
• Carrie Chapman Catt
(Women’s Peace Party).
• Jane Addams
The Home Front
• The government set up a huge Propaganda
machine—The Committee on Public Information
(CPI).
• George Creel headed it.
• He sent out over 75,000 “4-minute men.”
• The propaganda was aimed at having people
conserve food and resources, enlist in the army,
buy war bonds, etc.
The War and Civil Liberties
• During the War, Congress passed the Espionage Act of
1917 and the Sedition Amendment of 1918.
• These laws made obstruction of the war effort a crime.
• This included speaking against the war.
• “Loyalty Leagues” were formed to encourage Americans
to spy on and report those that were “disloyal.”
• Many people lost the right of free speech.
Harassing of German
Americans
• People of German descent were
harassed. All things German were
disparaged.
Crackdown on Radicals
• 1/3 of US socialist leadership
imprisoned.
– Eugene Debs
– Victor Berger (Congressman
from Milw.).
1/3 of the leaders of the IWW
Schenck v. The United States
• Charles Schenck and other members of the socialist
party printed and mailed flyers urging draftees to
oppose the draft.
• In the case, Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes
established the principle of “Clear and Present
Danger” in limiting free speech.
• He said that in a time of war, what Schenck was
saying was the equivalent of yelling “fire” in a
crowded theater.
• Case said that in times of crisis, the govt. could
restrict free speech.
Women and African Americans
• 11,000 women
volunteered as
nurses, clerical
workers, and
telephone operators.
• It was during the war
that Wilson finally
began to support the
idea of Women’s
suffrage.
African Americans
• Over 370,000 blacks
served in the armed
forces during the war.
• There was segregation so
they served in all black
units (although they were
commanded by white
officers).
The American Expeditionary Force
• The A.E.F. was commanded
by John Pershing.
• The American soldiers were
called “Doughboys.”
• More than 2-million
Americans soldiers went to
France.
• On November 11, 1918,
Germany surrendered.
Revolution in Russia
• During the War, There was a Revolution in
Russia.
• The Communists (Bolsheviks) took over.
• In March of 1918, Lenin signed the Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk with Germany that ended Russian
fighting.
• The Revolution was alarming to many of the
Western Governments.
Deaths in WWI
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Russia
1,700,000
Germany
1,733,700
Austria-Hungry 1,200,000
France
1,357,000
England
908,371
Italy
650,000
US
126,000
Review
• What were the 2 reasons that the US eventually joined
WWI?
• How did the government try to drum up support for the
war at home?
• How did the war effect African Americans?
• How did the war effect woman?
• How did the war effect civil liberties at home?
• Progressives were happy, and Business profits tripled
between 1914-1919.
• Samuel Gompers and the AFL supported Wilson and the
war.
• In return, The govt. secretly gave him money to discredit
socialists in the labor movement.
• Also, much violence happened against members of the
socialist IWW (wobblies) because they were against the
war.