American
Involvement in
the Great War
The War Hits Home
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American began to favor the Allies over the
Central Powers because of repayment of debt
and Germans threating US shipping
American were upset at Britain’s blockade of
Germany
Germany responded by blockading Britain using
U-boats, submarines.
Germany U-boats sank the Lusitania in 1915.
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Lusitania was a British ship that was carrying 128
Americans
US protested and Germany agreed to stop using
submarine warfare if Britain would lift its blockade
US Declares War
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Wilson wins reelection in 1916 on the slogan “He
kept us out of war.” He hoped for a peaceful
ending
Germans stated they would sink any ship in British
waters on sight, hostile or neutral
US intercepts the Zimmerman note, telegram from
Germany to Mexico trying to bring them into their
alliance by promising them lost territory in America
for their support.
US declares war in 1917 and Congress approved.
Wilson believed the US had to enter the war to
pave the way for peace and freedom.
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Propaganda poster after
the sinking of the Lusitania put out across
Europe. Homework; find a propaganda
poster from the Great War that you think
would have influenced you to go and
fight for your country and tell me why you
think it would have motivated you to go
enlist.
American Power Tips the
Balance
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Congress passed the Selective Service Act,
required men to register with the government
in order to be randomly selected for military
service. (24 million, 3 million were called)
African Americans served in segregated units
and were not allowed to serve in the navy or
marines.
Soldiers often trained with fake weapons
Began using the convoy system, heavy guard
of destroyers escorted merchant ships across
the Atlantic and laid mines in the North Sea
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Allied troops were exhausted and demoralized. US
provided freshness and enthusiasm.
Pershing becomes the leader of the American
Expeditionary Force in Europe. American soldiers
were called doughboys.
American soldiers arrived in May 1918. Many
people did not go because they were
conscientious objectors, person who opposed the
war on moral grounds.
Germany surrendered on the eleventh hour or the
eleventh day of the eleventh month 1918. They
agreed to an armistice, truce to end the war.
22 million dead, 20 million wounded. Cost $338
billion. 48,000 Americans dead in battle 62,000
dead from disease.
People thought there would be a return to
normalcy, but the world and life had changed.
The War at Home
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Home front, refers to activities in the US during the
war
The entire economy was refocused on the war effort.
National War Labor Board, government agency that
controlled and organized the economy during the
war
Congress gave President Wilson direct control over
much of the economy, including the power to fix
prices and nationalize certain industries.
Most wages rose during the war. Rising food prices
undercut the wage increases
Paid for the war by raising taxes on excise tax and a
war-profit tax. Also sold war bonds.
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Used propaganda, biased communication
designed to influence people’s thoughts and
actions.
Germany and Austria-Hungry immigrants became
subject to attacks. Name changes on items
Congress passes the Espionage and Sedition Acts,
a person could be fined up to $10,000 and
sentenced to 20 years in jail for interfering with the
war effort or for saying anything disloyal about the
government. Clearly violated the 1st Amendment
Great migration by blacks from the South to the
Northern cities.
Congress passes the 19th Amendment in 1919 to
give women the right to vote. They began to seek
opportunities outside the home.
Wilson Fights for Peace
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Wilson’s plan was called the 14 points:
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Out of the 14 points Wilson the two major ones
are a creation of the League of Nations, forum
for nations to discuss and settle their grievances
without having to resort to war, and selfdetermination for countries
It was thought the League of Nations
threatened the US policy of isolationism (Henry
Cabot Lodge). It was also voluntary.
Allied leaders rejected Wilson’s plan. Big 3
Wilson, George and Clemenceau.
Treaty of Versailles
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9 new countries are created or changed
boundaries.
Germany was not allowed to have an army,
they had to give up Alsace-Lorraine and had
to pay reparations, war damages.
War-guilt clause, Germany had to admit sole
responsibility for starting the Great War.
Strong opposition to the treaty in the US.
US Senate does not ratify the treaty. We never
join the League of Nations
Became known as the war to end all wars.