Effects of World War I

The War Changes American Society Many substantial social changes occurred as a result of WWI. Women took over the jobs of men who went overseas such as nursing, working in factories and making munitions. They also aided the war effort in the military as cooks, clerks and telephone operators. This increased role in the workplace, combined with the push during the Progressive Era led to the passage of the 19th amendment.

The War Changes American Society Job openings also provided African Americans opportunities, and many of them moved North to fill these jobs in industries. This began what became known as the ‘Great Migration’. Since most of the job openings were in factories, many migrated to large cities, especially in the Northeast/Midwest. Similarly, Mexican Americans took over many of the farming jobs left open by servicemen.

America Gives Allies the Edge When the U.S entered the war in 1917, it had turned into a stalemate (neither side making progress) between the Allied and Central Powers. Allied Powers Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy and United States Central Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire In an effort to protect merchant ships from German U-boats, the U.S. began implementing a convoy system, in which smaller, armed ships would escort larger merchant ships. This was integral in getting supplies safely to the Allied Powers.

America Gives the Allies the Edge Russia had already withdrawn from the war before the U.S. entered, freeing up German troops to concentrate on the Western Front. The Bolshevik Revolution had overthrown the Russian czar, creating a civil war in Russia. The U.S. provided much needed troops to the Allied forces, and were led my General John J. Pershing. Remember him? Though they did not have as much combat training, they were fresh in the fight and provided a much needed boost in terms of morale. This earned them the nickname ‘doughboys’. They helped stop the German advance on the Western Front and many distinguished themselves during battle.

Wilson Promotes “peace without victory” When the war ended on November 11, 1918, it was time to decide what would happen to the countries in the Central Powers. Wilson promoted the idea of “peace without victory”, an idea in which the victors should not punish the losers. He believed this would cause resentment between the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ of the war. He considered his proposal, known as the Fourteen Points, as a way of encouraging self-determination within Europe.

Wilson at the Paris peace conference At the Paris peace conference, Allied leaders did not agree with Wilson’s idea of ‘peace without victory’. Instead, they forced Germany to pay reparations, or payment for war damages. New states were created, breaking up the land that the Central Powers had gained during the war. Smaller states less power! Although many of his Fourteen Points were cast aside, Wilson was able to salvage his proposal for a League of Nations– a worldwide organization to discuss problems (in the hopes of avoiding another war).

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America Rejects the Treaty Back in the United States, certain individuals were hesitant for the U.S. to adopt the Treaty of Versailles as it was written because they feared it would allow the U.S. to engage in war w/o the consent of Congress. The group largely opposed to the treaty were known as the ‘Irreconcilables’. They were mainly Republicans (the group that controlled the Senate) and led by Henry Cabot Lodge. However, the Treaty of Versailles did not pass in the Senate because of strong opposition, and as a result, the U.S. never joined the League of Nations.

What does this foreshadow about the League of Nations?