Lesson 8
WWI: 1917: Desperation & Anticipation America Enters The War
Lesson Objectives
• Understand the role of the US in the war to 1917.
• Understand the concept of unrestricted submarine
warfare and discuss its impact on the war.
• Understand how and why the U.S. entered World War I.
• Understand the impact of the war on British and U.S.
society.
• Be able to describe the efforts made to mobilize the
American public in World War I.
Phases of World War I
1914 - Maneuver and Frustration
1915 - Search for New Solutions
1916 - Attrition
1917 - Desperation and Anticipation
Review of the War
August 3, 1914
Germany invades Belgium; war begins
Sept 5-10, 1914
“Miracle of the Marne”; German invasion halted
October 1914
Race to the Sea ends; Stalemate on Western Front
1915
Feb 1915-Jan 1916
1916
Sea blockades established around UK and Germany
Dardanelles Campaign (Gallipoli)
Germans accept futility of breakthrough on
Western Front, adopt attrition strategy against
French at Verdun
1
Review of the War
Feb - Dec 1916
Battle of Verdun (German Offensive)
Jul - Nov 1916
Battle of the Somme (Allied Offensive)
1 Feb 1917
Mar 1917
German decision for unrestricted sub warfare
Germans withdraw to Hindenburg Line
2
Submarine Warfare
Submarines were an unproven weapon
• No doctrine for use
• Little support from establishment
German U-boats
Germany had about 20 operational
Unterseeboots at the beginning of the war
Small, short ranged, gasoline powered
U-9
Displacement: 600 tons (submerged)
Range: 3,300 miles (surface)
6 torpedoes
U-boat.net
http://uboat.net/wwi/
German U-boats
U-9
German U-boats
U-9 (1910)
Displacement: 600 tons (submerged)
Range: 3,300 miles (surface)
6 torpedoes
Mittel-class (1915)
U-boat.net
http://uboat.net/wwi/
Displacement: 950 tons (submerged)
Range: 11,000 miles (surface)
16 torpedoes
German U-boats
Ocean Minelaying Submarines
Type UE 2 (1916)
Displacement: 1,500 tons (submerged)
Range: 13,900 miles (surface)
14 torpedoes / 42 mines
U-boat.net
http://uboat.net/wwi/
Blockade Running Sub
Cargo Submarine Deutschland
Cargo Submarine Deutschland
Baltimore, Maryland – July 1916
New London, Connecticut – November 1916
Cargo:
Germany-US: dyes, pharmaceuticals, gemstones
US-Germany: strategic materials (nickel, tin, rubber)
Maryland Historical Society
Blockade Running Sub
U-155 (ex-Deutschland) (1916/1917)
Displacement: 1,875 tons (submerged)
Range: 25,000 miles (surface)
18 torpedoes
Commissioned in the Imperial Navy February 1917
U-boat.net
http://uboat.net/wwi/
Blockade
Running Raider
Sub
German
Commerce
U-155 (ex-Deutschland)
Stopping merchant ship for inspection
U-boat.net
http://uboat.net/wwi/
The Victims
The Victims
The Victims
Timetable to War for US
May 7, 1915
Lusitania torpedoed
The Victims
RMS Lusitania
May 7, 1915
U-20
The Victims
RMS Lusitania
May 7, 1915
Lusitania sank in 18 minutes
Sinking of the Lusitania
May 7, 1915
( 5:48 – 8:43 )
"The Circle of Modern War" and logo
© Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013
The Victims
RMS Lusitania
May 7, 1915
Lost: 1,198 of 1,959 souls on board
Including 128 Americans, 49 children
Compared with daily casualty figures at the Front,
the Lusitania fatalities were tiny. But world reaction
to what had occurred off the Irish coast Friday 7
May 1915 was enormous.
Diane Preston
Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy
Timetable to War for US
May 7, 1915
Lusitania torpedoed
Mar 15, 1916
Army Reorganization Act
Dec 1916
Wilson begins peace initiative
Jan 22, 1917
Wilson calls for peace without victory
Woodrow T. Wilson
28th President of the United States
Born in Staunton, VA
Grew up in Georgia (Augusta)
Princeton graduate
Academic Career
(PhD Poli Sci, Johns Hopkins)
Governor of New Jersey (1911-1913)
President 1913-1921 (Democrat)
Termed a Progressive, idealist
Active presidency
1856 - 1924
Federal Reserve Act
Clayton Antitrust Act
Federal Trade Commission Act
Re-established Progressive Income Tax
Woodrow T. Wilson
28th President of the United States
Wartime President
US declared its neutrality in 1914
 Protested British & German neutrality violations
Re-election slogan in 1916: “He kept us out of war!”
 Criticized by Republicans for not rearming US
1856 - 1924
Attempted to mediate peace (Dec 1916)
 Asked both sides to state minimum security goals
 Central Powers: “No need – we are going to win”
 Allies: Dismember empires of Central Powers
Declaration of unrestricted sub warfare decisive
 Would not tolerate loss of lives, freedom of seas
Timetable to War for US
May 7, 1915
Lusitania torpedoed
Mar 15, 1916
Army Reorganization Act
Dec 1916
Wilson begins peace initiative
Jan 22, 1917
Wilson calls for peace without victory
Feb 1, 1917
Germany resumes unrestricted sub warfare
Feb 3, 1917
US breaks relations with Germany
Feb 24, 1917
Zimmerman Telegram revealed
(the “Strategic Distraction” from previous lesson)
Zimmerman Telegram
Sent by German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman
• To Embassy in Washington, January 16, 1917
Ambassador forwarded to Embassy in Mexico
British intercepted message, passed to US
Publication of message enflamed US!
Zimmerman Telegram
Berlin, January 19, 1917
On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this,
it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.
If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with
Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general
financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in
New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement....
You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence
as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and
suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan
suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between
Germany and Japan.
Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless
submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.
Zimmerman
(Secretary of State)
Timetable to War
May 7, 1915
Lusitania sunk
Mar 15, 1916
Army Reorganization Act
Dec 1916
Wilson begins peace initiative
Jan 22, 1917
Wilson calls for peace without victory
Feb 1, 1917
Germany resumes unrestricted sub warfare
Feb 3, 1917
US breaks relations with German
Feb 24, 1917
Zimmerman Telegram revealed
Apr 2, 1917
Wilson asks for war declaration
Declaration of War
April 2, 1917
President Wilson asked
Congress for declaration of war
April 4, 1917
Senate approved 82 – 6
April 6, 1917
House approved 373 - 50
Declaration of War
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
• US tradition of defending Freedom of the Seas
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
• Posed a direct threat to the U.S.
• Challenged Monroe Doctrine
• Revelation focused Americans on war issue
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for
Democracy
• Democracy vs. Autocracy
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
American “Non-Neutrality”
• Trade with belligerents, mostly Britain
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
American “Non-Neutrality”
American Frustration
• Lack of response to peace feelers
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New submarines
Mexico. The United
States were
committed
to the
Allied
side.
German
forced
thealready
United
States
into
the
war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought
solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for
the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already
committed to the Allied side.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed
to give
credit to theGovernment
belligerents. Soonhad
businessmen
At first,not
the
American
tried tocomplained
remainthat
the chances of good profits were being lost.
strictly neutral. Banks were instructed not to give credit to
the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that the
chances of good profits were being lost.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that
the chances of good profits were being lost. Large funds were extended to the Allies.
Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British
Large
funds
extended
to the Allies. Copper, cotton,
and French
orders.were
The economy
boomed.
wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked
overtime on British and French orders. The economy
boomed.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that
the chances of good profits were being lost. Large funds were extended to the Allies.
Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British
and French orders. The economy boomed.
If the German submarines stopped
this trade, there would be depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the American
loans
would
be lost also.
If the
German
submarines stopped this trade, there would
be depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the
American loans would be lost also.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian)
The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to
say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the
sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At
first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were
instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that
the chances of good profits were being lost. Large funds were extended to the Allies.
Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British
and French orders. The economy boomed.
If the German submarines stopped
this trade, there would be depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the American
loans would be lost also.
In the end, the United States went to war so that
America could remain prosperous and rich.
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
American “Non-Neutrality”
American Frustration
Protect US Economic Interests
Grand Strategy 101
Why did Great Britain go to war in 1914?
Maintain European balance of power
(Lesson 5)
1917:
Britain, France on the ropes
Russia in revolution, almost out of the war
Germany poised to knock Britain out of the war w/ subs
US chose to pursue
maintain balance
WhatBritish
shouldobjective:
the US do?
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The Zimmerman Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
American “Non-Neutrality”
American Frustration
Protect US Economic Interests
Maintain European Balance of Power
Entry of the US into the War
Video

HIGHLIGHTS:
Irish Revolt
Mexican Border Incursion
Election of 1916
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
US Enters World War I
( 0:26 – 8:04 )
"The Circle of Modern War" and logo
© Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013
Mobilization
Goal: Mobilize America for Total War
• National Unity
• Military Manpower
• Industry
How do you do this?
Mobilization
Goal: Mobilize America for Total War
• Build
Popular
Support
National
Unity
• Military Manpower
• Industry
How do you do that?
Propaganda !
Propaganda is persuading people to make up their
minds while withholding some of the facts from them.
Sir Harold Evans (1928 - )
British-born journalist and writer
Public
Building
Propaganda
Information
Support
Committee for Public Information
(Creel Commission)
Goal: To create "a passionate belief in the justice of
America's cause that would weld the American
people into one white hot mass instinct with fraternity,
devotion, courage and deathless determination."
George Creel, 1920
Building Support
Georgetown University Library
http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
Building Support
Georgetown University Library
http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
Building Support
Georgetown University Library
http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
Building Support
Georgetown University Library
http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
Building Support
Building Support
Building Support
Building Support
Georgetown University Library
http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
Building Support
Georgetown University Library
http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
Building Support
Chorus
Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there
Billy Murray – audio:
(2:09)
Building Support
Wartime Security Measures
Espionage Act - 1917
• Made it a crime to interfere with the operation or success of the armed
forces of the United States or to promote the success of its enemies
Trading with the Enemy Act - 1917
• Gave President the power to restrict trade between the U.S. and its
enemies in times of war.
Sedition Act of 1918
• Amended Espionage Act of 1917
• Prohibited Americans from using "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive
language" about the United States government, flag, or armed forces during war.
Wilson’s 14 Points
January 8, 1918
I.
Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at
II.
Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas
III.
Establishment of an equality of trade conditions
IV. National armaments will be reduced
V.
Impartial adjustment of all colonial claims
VI.
Evacuation of
Russian
territory
A statement
ofallU.S.
war
objective
VII. Belgium must be evacuated and restored
VIII. …
All French
territory
be freed
and the invaded
portions restored
the first
byshould
any of
the warring
powers
IX. Readjustment of the frontiers of Italy
X.
Peoples of Austria-Hungary should be accorded opportunity of
autonomous development
XI. Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro are restored
XII. Turkish portions of Ottoman Empire should be assured sovereignty
XIII. An independent Polish state should be erected
XIV. A general association of nations must be formed
Mobilization
Goal: Mobilize America for Total War
• National Unity
• Industry
Mobilization
The United States went to war on the side of the Allies in April
1917 without stockpiles of equipment or plans for creating
them. Worse, the Army had no clear idea of the character and
magnitude of its wartime needs and no detailed specifications for
production of many kinds of equipment. Had such plans existed
they would have been of little use anyway because so little was
known about the nation's industrial capacity, including the location
and productivity of various industries. What lay ahead was
improvisation in the face of unforeseen crises to compensate
for inadequate planning and preparation.
Mobilization
US Army Center for Military History, 1995
Americans In Europe
U.S. troops with French-made Renault FT-17 tanks
Americans In Europe
U.S. soldier with French-made Chauchat light machine gun
Americans In Europe
U.S. soldiers with French-made Hotchkiss machine gun
Americans In Europe
U.S. artillerymen with French-made 75 mm gun
Americans In Europe
Captain Eddie
Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker with
French-made SPAD fighter
Americans In Europe
Note the pattern:
“ … French-made … “
Example: Of 3,400 field guns used by AEF, only 130 were US-made
“A giant armed with a penknife”
British historian B.H. Liddel Hart
On US preparedness for World War I
America’s Contribution
Shipbuilding
The U.S. Shipping Board
• created in September 1916 to revitalize the U.S.
merchant fleet
• built over 1,000 cargo ships
• commandeered more than 2 million tons of shipping
from private yards and owners
• operated German ships seized by the U.S.
government when war declared on Germany in 1917
America’s Contribution
Shipbuilding
Ship construction - Puget Sound
Ship launch - Mobile, AL
America’s Contribution
Shipbuilding
Hog Island Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA
Largest shipyard in the world - 50 construction slips
America’s Contribution
Shipbuilding
122 built
“Hog Islander” (5,000 tons)
None delivered prior to Armistice
SS Cassimer
America’s Contribution
Shipbuilding
The U.S. Shipping Board
1917-1918
1,255 merchant ships
launched
(4,030,000 GRT*)
* Gross Registered Tons: a measure of cargo ship
capacity equivalent to 100 cubic feet (2.83 cubic meters)
America’s Contribution
Convoy System
European-bound convoy - 1918
Loss rates dropped from 10% to 2%
America’s Contribution
Manpower
Mobilization
Goal: Mobilize America for Total War
• National Unity
• Industry
• Manpower
Selective Service Act
May 18, 1917
U.S. Army - April 1917
• 5,791 officers, 121,797 enlisted
• ranked 16th among the world's armies
• just behind Portugal
• plus 97,000 National Guardsmen in state service
Needed to build army to 4 million
By June 1917, 10 million Americans had registered
Mobilization
Rapid expansion of training base
Four million men in uniform by armistice
US at War
America Mobilizes
"The Circle of Modern War" and logo
© Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013
Mobilization
December 31, 1917 - 205,000 US soldiers in France
June 1, 1918 - 655,000 US soldiers in France
July 1, 1918 - 935,000 US soldiers in France
September 1, 1918 - 1,530,000 US soldiers in France
Armistice - 2,076,000 US soldiers in France
AEF
American Expeditionary Force
Divisions 1, 3-8:
Division 2:
Regular Army and Volunteers
Hybrid of Regular Army and US Marines
Commanded by two U. S. Marine Corps Generals
Brigadier General Charles A. Doyne
Major General John A. Lejeune *
* Later 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Lejeune
AEF
American Expeditionary Force
Divisions 1, 3-8:
Division 2:
Regular Army and Volunteers
Hybrid of Regular Army and US Marines
Divisions 26-42
National Guard Units combined by states or contiguous states.
The 42nd "Rainbow" division was an exception having contingents from twenty-six
states and the District of Columbia
Divisions 76-91:
Division 92
National Divisions: Regular Army Cadre with draftees
African-American regulars and volunteers with mostly white officers
Division 93: Never formed as a division. Its four regiments of African-American
volunteers plus National Guardsmen and primarily white officers were separately
assigned to French divisions and fought with distinction.
AEF
American Expeditionary Force
US divisions more than twice as large as others
US: 25,000 - 28,000 men
Others: 10,000 - 12,000
Americans In Europe
World War I Battle Streamer
Americans In Europe
Elements of US 1st Expeditionary Division (later 1st Division)
arrived in France, June 1917
Americans In Europe
Phases of World War I
1914 - Maneuver and Frustration
1915 - Search for New Solutions
1916 - Attrition
1917 - Desperation and Anticipation
1918 - Dénouement
Next:
Lesson 10
World War I: End of the War,
Seeds of the Next
Lesson Objectives
• Understand the situation Germany faced as it entered 1918.
• Be able to describe the changes in the war on the Western front
in 1918.
• Understand the role the US played in the fighting in Europe.
• Be able to describe the operations of the US military in Europe in
the years immediately following the armistice.
• Be able to discuss the major provisions of the Versailles Treaty
and how this document sowed the seeds for World War II.
End