Chapter 21—America and the Great War

Roosevelt Corollary U.S. would intervene in Latin-American affairs to maintain economic and political stability Applied to: Dominican Republic: Fallen behind in debt payments Nicaragua: Civil unrest

Dollar Diplomacy Political influence would follow increased U.S. trade and economic investment Central America (railroads, mines, plantations) Haiti (keep out foreign funds) Contrasts with militaristic big stick policy

American Presence in the Caribbean Panama The U.S. helps Panama revolt against Colombia Panama declares independence; U.S. recognizes Construction of Panama Canal Over 5,000 laborers perished Greatly reduced time required to travel by ship

Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy Condemned Imperialism Latin American countries Only trade with countries that had American ideals Mexican Revolution Moral diplomacy fails U.S. invades Mexico but falls short of war

World War I Begins Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated Wilson pushes for American neutrality German/Irish-Americans side with Central Powers Other Americans identify with Great Britain & France Economic interest with Triple Entente

The U.S. Prepares for War Germany declares waters around the British Isles to be a war zone German U-boats sink Lusitania & Sussex Wilson threatens break in diplomatic relations with Germany National Defense Act doubles size of U.S. army Not all Americans support preparations

The U.S. Prepares for War Zimmermann Note intercepted German-Mexican alliance against U.S. Propaganda tool for U.S. entry into the war The Germans resume unrestricted submarine warfare Heavy American death toll Wilson signs declaration of war on 4/6/17

Selling the War in the U.S. Committee of Public Information Created to organize public opinion Posters, films, books, promote the war Themes America as a unified moral community Crusade for peace and freedom Negative campaign against Germans Selective Service Act introduced

The War Itself More Americans died due to disease than to combat Trench warfare slows pace of war Most Americans fight in France

An Uneasy Peace The Fourteen Points Treaty of Versailles Set new national boundaries in Europe Principles of international conduct League of Nations Treaty of Versailles Harsh against Germany Not ratified by the U.S. U.S. did not join the League of Nations

Results of the War Economic AFL labor union increases in power American businesses expand and gain profits Taxes on income/profits become major source of revenue AFL labor union increases in power Demand for workers increase Better wages and working conditions National War Labor Board Red Scare Radical IWW weakens Socialists Sacco and Vanzetti

Women’s Rights Lose jobs to returning servicemen Most retain white collared jobs Fewer work in manufacturing/domestic service Nineteenth Amendment ratified Women allowed to vote nationwide Alice Paul uses radical tactics Eighteenth Amendment ratified National ban on alcoholic drinks Stimulus for organized crime

Repression and Reaction Espionage Act Gov’t tool for suppression of antiwar sentiment FBI organized to enforce act Supreme Court endorses restrictions on speech Great Migration Movement of millions of African Americans to North during & after World War I. Fueled by racism in South & job openings in North

The Election of 1920 Republican Warren Harding wins by a landslide Platform extremely ambiguous Called for a “return to normalcy” Repudiation of Wilson & progressivism