U.S. and World War I Causes of WWI – MANIA! • Militarism - policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war, military used as a tool for diplomacy • Alliances – agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another • Nationalism – extreme pride in one’s country, national interests should be placed above international affairs • Imperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically. • Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand Alliances • There were 2 major alliances in Europe before WW1. Alliances were made to protect each nation from attack • The Triple Alliance – Germany, Italy, Austria Hungry • The Triple Entente – Russia, France, Britain The Spark • Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. • He was a member of the Serbian nationalist group – the black hand. The Domino Effect • Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia. • Germany pledged their support for Austria –Hungary • Russia pledged their support for Serbia. • Germany declares war on Russia. • France pledges their support for Russia. • Germany declares war on France. • Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. • Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany. Who was fighting? Allied Powers • Britain & its colonies • France & its colonies • Russia • Italy • United States • Many more Central Powers • Germany • Austria-Hungry • Ottoman Empire • Bulgaria Stalemate • Outdated military tactics and new technology quickly turn the war into a stalemate • Trenches were dug in France to protect soldiers and solidify gains. The area between the Central Powers and Allied Powers was known as no mans land. New Technology • New Technology was used to turn WW1 into a modern war. – Tanks, Planes, Submarines, Poison Gas, Machine Guns all see use in the war. U.S. Neutrality • U.S. remains neutral until 1917 • Practicing (foreign) policy of Isolationism Reason: 1. Europe’s war 2. Economic reasons - trade - financial backing 3. Immigrant sympathizers U.S. getting drawn into WWI • Germany counter-attack to GB’s blockaded with • the U-boats (sinking without warning) • May 7, 1915 U-boat sank the Lusitania - German’s defense - was carrying ammunition • March 1916 Germany torpedoes the Sussex liner • Sussex Pledge – agreement - Germany would stop attacking ships if U.S. could get G.B. to lift blockade • Election of 1916: Wilson wins on campaign promise to keep the U.S. out of war Neutrality Ends Immediate Causes: • Violation of Sussex - Germany announces the U-boats will sink ships again - no warning • Rev. in Russia- attempting democratic gov’t now an acceptable ally • Zimmermann Note (telegram from Germany to Mexico) suggesting an alliance between them and promising to help them recover the territories of TX, NM, & AZ * 1917 – U.S. had no option but to enter the war Big IDEAS for the U.S. entrance • Financial - to ensure Allies victory and repayment of debts to the U.S. • Threat - to prevent the Germans harming U.S. shipping and protect U.S. territory The "I WANT YOU" Army recruiting poster from World War I became the most recognized image of Uncle Sam, a character first made popular by Thomas Nast and other 19th century political cartoonists. The poster was painted by James Montgomery Flagg in 19161917. Flagg reportedly used his own face as the model for Uncle Sam’s stern visage. www.klasek.com/90th/1917_timeline.html Home Front Production • shifting in production of goods • must make war & consumer goods pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=is... Selective Service Act • a draft • eventually 24 million draftees • ages of 21-23 (some lied about their age) • Those excused - married men - those with dependents - medical reasons Citation: Records of the Selective Service System (World War I) Women and WWI • filled all types of roles/jobs in society i.e. • • • • • driving cabs and delivery trucks bricklayers cooks railroad workers dock workers and shipbuilder • Roles in society gave them the final ammunition needed for the 19th amendment • women filled industry jobs https://www.allposters.co.jp/RedirectLocale.a... War Industries Board (WIB) • encourage mass production techniques • to increase efficiency & eliminate waste - production increased by 20% - i.e. corsets tall leather boots hemlines laracorsets.com By Howard Christy. Used in WW I recruiting campaigns. Supporting the War • Propaganda ~ persuasive technique used to influence opinions ~ A campaign to help people feel justified in the sacrifices they were making. • promote patriotism • it manufactured hate By Norman Lindsey. “?” was one of six posters designed for the last Australian recruiting campaign. Fuel Administration • monitored coal supplies, rationed gasoline & heating oil • adopted to help conserve for the war i.e. • gasless Sunday • heatless Monday • lightless nights ~ daylight-savings time used www.rainfall.com/posters/WWI/195.htm Food Administration • established to conserve food (voluntary) • Herbert Hoover - director • each day special emphasis i.e. - wheatless Mon. and Wed. - meatless Tues. - porkless Thurs. and Sat. - sweetless Fri (calling it Hooverizing) • victory gardens - planted at people’s homes - on city buildings and in allies staff.imsa.edu/.../jiang_3_7/conservation.htm Financing the War • U.S. spent 33 billion • raised 1/3 with taxes (higher income taxes) • higher excise tax on luxury goods • Liberty Loans - war bonds Attack on Civil Liberties • worst attacks directed at German - Americans i.e. • lost their jobs • would not play music by German composers • Schools stopped teaching German language • German books were removed from libraries Civil Liberties cont… Government ‘s Role • Sedition Act (p. 598) no disloyalties to the U.S. gov., its symbols, or the war, • Espionage Act punish those found helping the enemy • Trading with the Enemy Act postmaster could censor publications exchanged * What did all of these violate? Wilson’s Fourteen Points • Jan. 1918 • Wilson presented to Congress - Causes of war - boundaries - plan for peace /League of Nations (international peace organization) Peace Conference • Allied leaders / Council of Ten • new Russian leaders did not attend • Purpose: decide end of war issues • Wilson presented his 14 pts. - wanted peace organization • Clash between Wilson’s ideas & Allies rewards/punishments - Allies wanted territory & Germany punished Treaty of Versailles • agreement to end the war • between Allies & Central Powers • League of Nations included - U.S. Congress did not support - made it a WEAK organization Terms of the Treaty • Germany had to accept full responsibility for war. • Germany had to surrender all land back to its surrounding nations. • Germany would reduce its military and give up all warships. • Germany would transfer all colonies to a mandate where the Allies could watch them. • Germany must pay reparations for the entire cost of the war to the Allies. • Territory divided (Ottoman, A-H, Russia) • League of Nations established U.S. Congress would not support plan Reasons… • Economic reasons • Did not fit policy of Isolationism • Did not want to be responsible for world peace * Why did Congress believe the League violated Isolationism? War Impact On the U.S. • Industrial production increased • became richest country in the world • achieved a high standard of living • citizens became materialistic • women more opportunities/recognition • rejecting the Treaty/League of Nations • U.S. shifts back to a policy of Isolation War Impact On Europe: • All economies were bad • Land was destroyed • German develop a depression in 1923 • German $ became almost worthless • Germans were looking for someone to blame On Middle East: • Territory divided among Allies Casualties • Total troops mobilized by all countries in WW1 – 65,038,810 • Total troops dead from all countries in WW1 – 8,556,315 • Total troops wounded from all countries in WW1 – 21,219,452 • Total missing or POWs – 7,750,945
