The War to End War
Theme 1: Entering World War I in response to
Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare, Wilson
turned America’s participation into a fervent ideological
crusade for democracy that successfully stirred the
public to a great voluntary war effort, but at some cost
to traditional civil liberties.
Theme 2: After America’s limited bu important
contribution to the Allied victory, a triumphant Wilson
attempted to construct a peace based on his idealistic
Fourteen Points. But European and senatorial
opposition, and especially his own political errors,
doomed American ratification of the Versailles Treaty
and participation in the League of Nations.
I. Outbreak of War
A.
Precarious Neutrality
1.
2.
B.
Assassination of Archduke
Pro-British or Pro-German?
Blockade v. U-Boats
1.
Despite early recession, trade benefitted Allies
($2.4B), upset Central Powers ($169 M)
a.
b.
2.
Lusitania, 1915 (1198/128 US)
a.
b.
3.
Sussex ultimatum (unless stop, break diplomatic
relations) and pledge
“watchful waiting” during 1916 elections
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, 1917
a.
C.
Germans no sinking unarmed ships without warning.
Sussex, 1916 (4 US)
a.
5.
6.
Wilson warns with measured approach
Resignation of Bryan and war-thirsty TR
Arabic, 1915 (2 US)
a.
4.
JP Morgan lent Allies $
Wilson warned “strict accountability”
Wilson broke diplomatic relations
Declaration of War
1.
2.
Zimmerman Note, 1917
Idealism of Wilson
a.
b.
c.
“War to end all Wars”
“Make world safe for democracy”
14 Points
II. War Highlights
A.
Homefront Mobilization by
overzealous CPI (Creel)
1.
Enforcing Loyalty
a.
b.
2.
Factories go to War
a.
b.
c.
3.
Racial riots
18th Amendment, 1919
19th Amendment, 1920
War Economy
a.
b.
B.
War Industries Board (Baruch)
“Labor will win the War!” NWLB (Taft)
Unions struggled
Society Challenges
a.
b.
c.
4.
Espionage and Sedition Acts
Radicals and Schenck case
Propaganda and volunteerism
Food Administration (Hoover)
Military Mobilization by Pershing
1.
Doughboys
a.
b.
c.
2.
Selective Service Act, 1917
Western Front, 1918
2nd Battle Marne, Meuse-Argonne
Offensive
Cease-fire
a.
b.
Wilson demands Kaiser removal and
supplies
112, 432 US deaths (half disease)
III. Battle over the League of
Nations
A.
Paris Peace Conference
1.
Participants
a.
b.
Big Four: Wilson, George,
Clemenceau, Orlando
Notable absent: Henry Cabot Lodge
and Russia
“World Parliament”
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
League Covenant
5 permanent members
Mandates
14 Points-Article X (morally bound
US to aid)
Versailles Treaty
a.
b.
4.
Article 231 and reparations
League of Nations-self
determination
Opposition to the Treaty
a.
b.
c.
d.
Irreconcilables opposed the treatyfeared entangling alliances
Presidential tour, 1919
Lodge Reservations but rejected by
Wilson
Election of 1920 a referendum on
the League of Nations
Former president with former First lady,
Edith Wilson. After his presidency, Wilson
Lived in Washington, D.C. and lived the
Life of an invalid until he died
Putting Things In Order
(use the information from chapter 30 to answer
these questions)
1.Germany’s resumption of submarine warfare forces the United States onto a
declaration of war.
2.The Senate’s final defeat of the Versailles treaty and a Republican election
victory ends Wilson’s last hopes for American entry into the League of Nations
3.The United States takes the first steps towards preparedness in the event of
war
4.The effectiveness of the American combat troops in crucial battle helps bring
about an Allied victory in World War one
5.Wilson struggles with other Allied leaders in Paris to hammer out a peace
treaty and organize a postwar world
Answers To Putting Things in
Order
•
•
•
•
•
A.2
B.5
C.1
D.3
E. 4