Goal 8
World War I
Starter: Amendments Review
Directions: Copy the definition and provide the
Constitutional Amendment that corresponds.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Freedom of speech, religion, press (and many others)
Right to bare arms
Granted African Americans freedom
Prohibition Amendment
Established a graduated income tax
African American suffrage
Women’s suffrage
Granted African Americans citizenship
Direct election of senators
Repealed Prohibition
Main Causes of WWI
M ILITARISM
A
LLIANCES
I MPERIALISM
N
ATIONALISM
Imperialism
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The building of
empires led to
competition between
European powers.
Example: France had
lost Alsace-Lorraine
previously to
Germany. France
wanted it back.
Nationalism
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Nationalism: devotion to the interests and
culture of one’s nation
Several ethnic groups in Europe wanted to
become independent nations. (They also
looked to larger nations for protection.)
Russia viewed themselves as the protector
of the Slavic people including the Serbs of
Serbia.
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Serbia was under control of Austria-Hungary
making Russia and Austria-Hungary rivals.
Nationalism
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France wanted to recover Alsace-Lorraine.
Nations wanted to express the nationalism of a
single ethnic group.
Minorities were not appreciated.
Spread of the theory of Social Darwinism also
impacted the rise of nationalism.
Multinational empires (Austria-Hungary,
Ottoman Empire) were destabilized.
This spilled over into economics (industrial
output, trade led to the desire for overseas
empire).
Europe
Militarism
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Produced an Arms race
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Germany and Britain competed at sea.
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If a war would start but when
Germany had set up an army reserve system by
1890. Britain had always depended on its navy so
they were not alarmed by ground troops. In 1897
Germany began building a sea power which alarmed
Britain.
Italy, Japan, and the U.S. quickly joined the naval
arms race.
Machine guns, mobile artillery, tanks,
submarines, and airplanes would change the
nature of war.
Alliances
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European leaders prepared for war by forming
alliances.
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy joined
together in the Triple Alliance (Italy never fought
with it).
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Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire
would become the Central Powers during WWI
France, Russia, and Great Britain formed the
Triple Entente.
European leaders thought less of the advantage
of peace since they knew powerful armies were
backing them.
Assassination Sparks War

The Balkans were considered the “powder keg of
Europe.”
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June 1914—Assassination of Archduke Francis
Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo (capital
of Bosnia)
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Austria-Hungary had taken control of Bosnia (a Slavic
nation) in 1878 and blamed Serbia for interfering with
their rule in Bosnia.
Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb and a member of a
nationalist group (The Black Hand) murdered the
Archduke because the group believed Bosnia belong to
Serbia rather than Austria-Hungary.
July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
 Domino-effect as alliances pull one another into the
war.
Causes of World War I — History.com Video
World War I Begins

August 1914, Germany invaded neutral
Belgium.
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Schliefflen Plan: Germany’s plan to hold
Russia, go through Belgium to attack France,
and then after France fell unify forces to defeat
Russia (avoiding a two-front war)
The Allies could not save Belgium and
retreated to the Marne River in France.
Here, The Western Front, soldiers dug into
the trenches.
Chain Reaction
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When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia (July 28,
1914), Germany vowed to support Austria-Hungary.
Russia mobilized for war to help Serbia against Austria.
Germany declared war on Russia.
France declared war on Germany.
Germany declared war on neutral Belgium.
Great Britain, who had treaties with France and Belgium,
declared war on Germany.
Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia, Serbia
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later
the Ottoman Empire
Battle of the Marne
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Where the French and British counterattack and stop
German forces
After the Battle of the Marne, the Germans settled onto
high ground, dug trenches, and fortified their position.
When attacked by Britain and France, the Germans fired
into them killing thousands.
Britain and France dug their own trenches and used the
same deadly weapons to counterattack.
450 miles of trenches stretched from the coast of
Belgium to the border of Switzerland.
The Western Front in France became the critical battle
front.
The war became a stalemate in this area.
Trench Warfare
The Marne
“Trench Foot”
Deadly Technology
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Machine guns were improved and could fire 600 bullets
per minute.
Artillery field guns were long-range cannons and caused
more causalities than any other type of weapon.
Poison gas such as chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas
could kill, blind, or burn their victims
Submarines used torpedoes as well as on-deck guns to
sink ships
Tanks and armored cars were used to go over the rough
ground and barbed-wire barricades of no man’s land.
Airplanes were used for reconnaissance, bombing, and
fighting, but did not prove decisive.
New Technology
Wilson and Neutrality
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President Wilson asked Americans to be “impartial in
thought as well as action”.
In 1914, 1/3 of Americans were foreign-born. This
made it difficult to stay impartial.
Most Americans sided with Britain and France.
Three positions eventually developed in America:
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Isolationists believed that the war was none of America's
business;
Interventionists felt that the war did affect American interests
and the U.S. should intervene on the side of the Allies;
Internationalist believed the U.S. should play an active role in
world affairs and work toward achieving a just peace but not
enter the war.
The Picture of Neutrality in America
Britain Blockades Germany
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British leaders decided to use the navy to
blockade Germany to keep essential goods from
reaching the other country.
International law allowed contraband goods to
be confiscated legally by any belligerent nation.
Noncontraband goods (food, medical supplies,
nonmilitary supplies) could not be confiscated.
Britain expanded the list of contraband items
until it included items such as gasoline, cotton,
and even food – even this was a violation of
international law.
War Effects the U.S.
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British blockade Germany
 US goods cannot reach Germany, but the US does
not try to get through the blockade by force.
 Americans disliked the blockade, but were more
outraged by Germany’s response.
Germany’s Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
 U-boats (submarines) used to sink any ship around
Britain.
U-Boats Sink the Lusitania in 1915 — History.com
Video
German U-Boats
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May 7, 1915- Lusitania – Germany
promised not to fire on passenger ships
1916- Sussex – fired on another
passenger ship- Sussex Pledge- did not
last very long
Zimmerman Note
Wilson’s Preparation for War
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National Defense Act – expanded the size
of the army
Naval Construction Act – ordered the
building of more warships
America Enters the War
1916 Woodrow Wilson’s campaign slogan was “He kept us
out of war!”
 Zimmerman Note: German foreign minister sent this note
to the German ambassador of Mexico; intercepted by
British agents and given to the U.S.
 Proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico
 Promised that if war broke out with the U.S. that Germany
would support Mexico and assure that they recovered lost
territory such as Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Revolutions in Russia (March 1917) placed a
representative gov’t in control; the US would be
entering a war of democracy against brutal
monarchies.
 Wilson asked Congress to declare war to “make the
world safe for democracy.” (April 2, 1917)
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Congress declared war a few days later.
Election of 1916
WWI on the Home Front
Cartoon Review
1.
2.
3.
Identify the different nations present in the cartoon.
This cartoon shows a main causes of WWI. Identify and
explain.
The US is not shown in the cartoon. Why?
The Home Front
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The U.S. was not prepared for war in 1917.
Selective Service Act (May 1917): DRAFT;
required young men to register
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Training for new soldiers lasted 8 months
(partially in the U.S. and partially in Europe)
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By 1918, 24 million men were registered and 3 million
had been called into service
African Americans were most often limited to
noncombat roles.
Women were not in combat, but could enlist in
the navy and marines; permitted to join the
army in the Army Corps of Nurses.
Congress Gives Power to Wilson
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The economy had to be reorganized to support
the war effort.
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It was too big of a job for private industry;
government stepped in.
Government’s role increased.
Congress gives Wilson direct control over the
economy.
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Fixed prices and regulation of war-related industries.
Established the War Industries Board
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War Industries Board: led by Bernard
Baruch regulated all industries engaged
in the war effort.
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Determined what products industries would
make
Where those products went
How much they would cost
Food Administration
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Led by Herbert Hoover
Set higher prices for wheat and other food items
to encourage farmers to increase production.
Ask American to conserve food that could be
used in the war effort
Homeowners planted victory gardens
Led to “meatless” and “wheatless” days
Instead of rationing food he asked people to
follow the “gospel of the clean plate.”
Government’s Role
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Launched efforts to conserve fuel
nationwide
This led to daylight saving time
Citizens turn their clocks ahead one hour
during certain month
Giving more daylight time and have to
burn less fuel
Committee on Public Information
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Director - George Creel
To educate the public about the causes
and nature of the war
To convince public that the war effort was
a just cause and support the war
Through propaganda, CPI distributed
material to stress the cruelty and
wickedness of the Germans
Propaganda
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Propaganda: biased communication
designed to influence people’s thoughts
and actions (posters, songs, books,
leaflets, pamphlets, movies…)
American Involvement in WWI
Opposition
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Many men resisted the draft – invaded private
lives—those that tried to resist was courtmartialed and imprisoned
Conscientious objectors – people whose moral
or religious beliefs forbid them to fight in wars
Women who worked for peace; Women’s Peace
Party (Jane Addams), Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom, Jeanette Rankin
(first woman to serve in the House of Rep.)
voted against the declaration of war
Cracking Down on Dissent
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Congress passed:
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Espionage Act, June 1917- allowed the postal
authorities to ban treasonable or seditious
newspapers, magazines, or printed materials from the
mail
Enacted severe penalties for anyone engaged in
disloyal or treasonable activities
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Up to a $10,000 fine and 20 yrs of imprisonment
1918- Sedition Act – made it unlawful to use
disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive
language” about the American form of
government, the Constitution, or the military
forces.
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Eugene V. Debs-leader of the Socialist Party-was
imprisoned 10 yrs under this act and fewer yrs earlier
had been a candidate for president.
Schenck vs. U.S., 1919
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Court ruled that there are times when the
need for public order is so pressing the
First Amendment protection of speech do
not apply; clear and present danger
Schenck v. US: ruling was the U.S.
government can suppress rights if there is
a “clear and present danger”
Prejudices Against Germans Americans
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Movies portrayed Germany as a cruel enemy.
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The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin
German was no longer taught in public schools.
German music was no longer played.
German measles were renamed “liberty
measles”.
Hamburgers became “liberty steaks”, and
dachshunds became “liberty pups”.
New Opportunities for Women
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Women moved into the workforce for the first time.
Worked in munitions factories, on railroads, telegraph
operators, trolley conductors, and other jobs that
previously were opened only to men.
Joined Red Cross or American Women’s Hospital Service
and went overseas
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Doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers
Army Corps of Nurses was created in 1918.
Finally women won the right to vote in 1920 with the
ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment.
The Great Migration
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During WWI and after, several push
factors caused thousands of African
Americans to decide to move from their
homes in the South. New factors drew
them to new homes in the North
The Great Migration was one of the most
important episodes in African American
history.
The Great Migration
Mexicans Move North of the Border
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Many faced violence and poverty.
Wanted better lives for themselves and their
children
Most immigrated to the American west to work
on ranches and farms in Texas and the Pacific
Coast.
Some migrated to factory jobs; many stayed in
California and formed barrios in Los Angeles and
smaller California cities.
America Helps the Allies
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The Allies were strengthened when
America joined the war. The Allies were
then able to demoralize the Central
Powers and win.
The Fourteen Points further encouraged
Germany to end the war, but the
European Allies did not accept Wilson’s
plan.
Fighting “Over There”
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The American Expeditionary Force (AEF)
was led by John Pershing.
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Men from different areas of the U.S. shipped
overseas
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“Doughboys”
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Most had never ventured far from home and were
shocked at the sights of war
“Harlem Hell Fighters” (African Americans)
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Alvin York – one of American’s greatest war heroes
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WWI Firsts — History.com Video
The Doughboys
Fall of Germany
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March 1917, Russia withdraw from the war
November 3, 1918—Austria-Hungary
surrendered to the Allies.
German sailors mutiny (rebel against
government) and socialist leaders take the
capital (Berlin) establishing a German Republic
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Kaiser Wilhelm II gives up the throne.
November 11, 1918—Germany signed the
armistice ending the war.
WWI’s Final Toll
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Bloodiest war in history at the time.
22 million deaths, half being civilians
20 million wounded
10 million refugees
Total cost averaged at about $338 billion.
US Costs
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Lost 48,000 men in battle and 62,000 died of disease
200,000 wounded
The Fourteen Points
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Sought to change the world by promoting
openness, encouraging independence, and
supporting freedom.
Wilson called for open diplomacy, no secret
treaties.
He insisted on freedom of the seas, a move
toward ending colonialism, free trade, a
reduction of armaments, and self-determination
for nations.
His biggest point was the League of Nations.
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Mutual guarantees of political independence and
territorial integrity to great and small states alike
Wilson and the Negotiations
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Wilson crossed the Atlantic Ocean himself to
represent the U.S. at the peace conference,
something no other president had ever done.
He did not invite leading Republicans to the
conference. Henry Cabot Lodge, the Republican
foreign policy expert, was left behind.
Wilson wanted “peace without victory”.
Allies Reject Wilson’s Ideas
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British prime minister David Lloyd-George and
French premier Georges Clemenceau wanted
both peace and victory. Britain insisted on
protecting the existing colonial status quo and
punishing Germany.
France wanted to make Germany pay dearly for
what it had tone to France. They wanted
reparations and the return of Alsace-Lorraine.
The other Allies also had goals of their own and
did not support Wilson’s vision.
League of Nations
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Although Wilson lost most of his 14 Points,
he was unwilling to compromise on the
League of Nations.
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Purpose to provide a place where countries
could talk about their differences rather than
go to war.
The other delegates finally voted to make
the League a part of the treaty.
Problems with the Peace
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The new map was violated.
The Ottoman Empire fell and new states
were formed with ethnic groups clustered
together randomly. For example, Iraq
was made up of Basra, Baghdad, and
Mosul. Basra had links to India, Baghdad
to Persia, and Mosul to turkey and Syria.
Map Before and After WWI
America Rejects the Treaty
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Many Americans did not favor the “war guilt”
clause.
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Germany caused the war
Irish Americans wanted an independent Ireland.
The Republican-controlled Senate Foreign
Relations committee had to approve the treaty
and then the Republican-controlled Senate had
to ratify it.
Henry Cabot Lodge and the “reservationists”
were opposed to the treaty as it was written.
Reservationists
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Large group of Senators led by Henry C.
Lodge
Many felt that the League could lead the
U.S. into war without consent of Congress.
They felt the language was too vague.
They were willing to vote for the Treaty
with some changes.
Wilson refused to compromise.
His health failed him.
The senate rejected the Versailles Treaty.
Effects of WWI
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Fall 1918 crisis of the flu epidemic
¼ of US population was affected
Economic effects: mines shut down, telephone
services were cut in half, working hours decreased
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Cities ran short of coffins
Doctors did not what to do (recommended
quarantine and cleanliness, but had no real
cure)
Soldiers lived in worse conditions and were more
likely to contract, and die, from the flu.
Historians believe that the influenza virus killed up to
30 million worldwide.
1918 Flu Pandemic
Normalcy
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Warren G. Harding wins the election of 1920
U.S. became the largest creditor nations in the
world.
Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires ceased
to exist.
German and Russian monarchies were toppled.
New forms of government were created.
Warren G. Harding
Review
1.
2.
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4.
5.
The AEF, Doughboys, and Harlem Hell Fighters are all examples
of ________.
President __________ was reelected with the slogan, “He kept us
out of war!”
The US declared war in 1917 joining the ______________.
The area of land between enemy trenches was called
“________________” because anyone who tried to cross it was
killed by machine gun fire.
US troops fought WWI in Europe; therefore, it was said that our
boys were fighting “______________.”
Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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The AEF, Doughboys, and Harlem Hell Fighters are all examples
of US soldiers.
President Woodrow Wilson was reelected with the slogan, “He
kept us out of war!”
The US declared war in 1917 joining the Allies.
The area of land between enemy trenches was called “no man’s
land” because anyone who tried to cross it was killed by machine
gun fire.
US troops fought WWI in Europe; therefore, it was said that our
boys were fighting “Over There.”
First World War.com - Vintage Audio - Over There
Video Clips
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http://www.history.com/videos/world-wari-soldiers-learn-to-pack#world-war-isoldiers-learn-to-pack
http://www.history.com/videos/causes-ofworld-war-i#causes-of-world-war-i
http://www.history.com/videos/cominghome-from-world-war-i#coming-homefrom-world-war-i
Video Clips
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http://www.history.com/videos/treaty-ofversailles-end-world-war-i#treaty-ofversailles-end-world-war-i
http://www.history.com/videos/george-spatton#george-s-patton