Inquiry Lesson For each primary source, answer the following questions. 1. What is the source? Is it reliable? Why/why not? 2. According to the source, why did the US go to war? After examining each source, write 1 paragraph explaining what you think was the primary motivation for the US joining the war in 1917. Give evidence to support your claim.

World War 1 Overview

World War 1 Begins The war begins in 1914, but the US doesn’t join until 1917. Why do we join? Americans favored the Allies (Britain and France esp.) Allied propaganda Germany violated neutral rights at sea Germans sank the Lusitania: A British ship with Americans onboard Germans told the Mexicans they would be rewarded if they joined the war to fight against the Americans. Zimmerman Telegram.

The United States at War For the first time since the Civil War, the United States instituted a draft About 4 million Americans went into service The War industries board organized the industrial production and conservation needed to support a war Ex. Railroads, fuel, food, work force, volunteer groups, bonds.

The United States at War President Woodrow Wilson wanted to unite Americans behind the war effort, so he formed the Committee on Public Information: giant propaganda campaign to “advertise America” This lead to sympathy for the war and hatred toward the Germans The cost of the war was enormous. The US spent about 24 billion dollars Corporate taxes, bank loans, and bond sales

American Forces “Over There” The American Expeditionary Force sent to Europe were nick named “doughboys” Commanded by General John Pershing When Americans entered the war Russia was out of the fight. Vladamir Lenin took power and began the Communist Revolution This meant that the Central Powers had one less enemy to fight. The Central Powers launched an all-out offensive on the western front in 1918, but American and French forces held them back

Trench Warfare Technology played a pivotal role in WW1 Guns were now more accurate, so soldiers could kill from far distances To take advantage of this technology, soldiers dug trenches to protect themselves and rely on accurate shooting. Trench warfare prevented large casualties at one time, but allowed war to continue for years and years Later technology such as military planes and tanks made trench warfare obsolete

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWF2JBb1bvM

American Forces ”Over There” Morale was up for Allied Forces with 250,000 American troops arriving monthly. American forces launched an offensive into the Argonne Forest: became known as the ”meat grinder offensive” because of the heavy losses. Although there was significant loss, the American and British troops broke through the German line

Armistice Day November 11, 1918 the slaughter stopped. Germany signed an armistice agreement: an agreement to stop fighting. The war had taken over 8 million lives, left more than 20 million wounded, and left most of Europe in shambles. Became known as “The War to End All Wars”

Peace Comes to Europe Wilson’s Fourteen Points: Wilson’s plan to rebuild European peace. League of Nations: an organization of cooperating nations could talk over problems and settle them peacefully, preventing future wars President Wilson wanted “peace without victory”: to be generous to the nation of Germany

Peace Comes to Europe The Paris Peace Conference The Allied leaders met at the Palace of Versailles on Jan 18,1919 The losers were not included in the conference which led to a “victors peace” and resentment Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919 It blamed Germany for the entire War. Had to give up its overseas empire Had to give up land and resources Had to allow foreign troops to stay there Had to pay huge reparations to Britain and France The US Senate never approved the treaty

Lasting Effects of WW1 1. Treaty of Versailles German retaliation (ww2) 2. League of Nations The United Nations 3. Industry in America boomed The Roaring 20s 4. New military technology 5. Beginning of Communism in Russia 6. Improvement in society/new freedoms African American troops found new freedom in Europe Women joining the work force