US Involvement in “WWI” “The Great War” “The War to end all Wars” (1914 -1918) Mr. Kilbourn

Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the war (April 1917)? America was an isolationist country. “Why should I get involved in someone else’s problems?” The Monroe Doctrine (1823) sought to isolate “the American continents” from European influences and problems. Stay out of North and South America and U.S. will stay out of everywhere else In this cartoon, “The Great Wall” (1914), the Monroe Doctrine is shown as a protective shield for the United States.

Thinking Slide: Is isolationism really an option for a country as powerful as the United States? What are the disadvantages of isolationism? What are the advantages?

American Neutrality U.S. didn’t want to get involved “Its Europe’s Problem!” Good for the Economy Business could sell supplies to both sides Banks could loan money to both sides 1/3 of Americans are immigrants, or children of immigrants Support for both sides of the war

The American Response to WWI Economic, cultural and linguistic ties with Britain Most Americans were anti-German after they discover plans for industrial sabotage.

Depot Explosion at Black Tom Island On July 30, 1916, German saboteurs targeted the ammunition depot on New Jersey's Black Tom Island shipping point for 3/4ths of U.S. ammunition bound for Allied Europe. U.S. was at this point still claiming neutrality The blast shattered windows in lower Manhattan and along the Jersey waterfront and did over $100,000.00 worth of damage to the Statue of Liberty over a mile away. 7 people died including an infant and hundreds were injured.

View of the Statue of Liberty from the site of the explosion View of the Statue of Liberty from the site of the explosion. From then onward the torch was off limits to tourists.

WWI: A Boom to the US Economy Britain and France bought products in great amounts. Like the munitions from Black Tom Island American bankers gave private loans to Allies.

ENTRY OF THE UNITED STATES When the war started in 1914, the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, maintained a position of neutrality (not supporting either side).

In 1915, however, Germany used unrestricted submarine warfare, meaning that it might attack any ships on the Atlantic, if they thought they were helping the Allies.

German Threats Escalate Germans were unable to trade with the U.S. by a British blockade. Began submarine warfare around Britain to break through blockade. Germans warned U.S. that they would sink as many ships in the area as they could and that they would sink U.S. merchant ships in the process if they were there, because they would only be there to help the British.

Submarine Warfare Reaches a crisis point after Lusitania is torpedoed in 1915 & 128 Americans died. U.S.A. is outraged and demands Germany stop “Unrestricted Submarine Warfare” After sinking of British and French liners, Germans promised they would not sink unarmed ships without warning Known as the “SUSSEX PLEDGE” Ships were to be searched and sank only if they contained contraband

The Lusitania Germans warned British their passenger liners were in danger England still sailed Lusitania from New York to England German U-boat torpedoed Lusitania in May 1915 Sunk in 18 minutes 2,000 on board, 1200 died including 128 Americans Ship was carrying secret cargo of war materials. Wilson still wanted US to stay neutral, campaigned on promise “He kept us out of war”

Preparedness (AKA Mobilization) In 1915 U.S. Army = 80,000 Men Teddy Roosevelt (Former President) led the Preparedness Movement Being prepared for war was the best way to guarantee peace President Wilson eventually began preparing for war Doubled the size of the Army Begin Construction of new war ships

Wilson Wins Reelection (1916) Progressives die out in election after Roosevelt refuses to run again. Wilson wins over Charles Evans Hughes with his promise “He Kept Us Out of War.” Very close election, Wilson’s victory linked to his promise of further neutrality.

The Zimmerman Note (1917) Sent by German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmerman to Mexico Was intercepted and decoded by British Telegram stated Germany would again begin unrestricted submarine warfare Even worse, telegram proposes alliance between Germany and Mexico Germany promises will help Mexico get land back

Zimmerman Note 19

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare. Round #2 Germany resumes Unrestricted Submarine Warfare in 1917 The Germans hope to starve England out of the war before the U.S.A. intervenes “Overt” acts—German U-boats sank four unarmed American merchant vessels in two weeks. April 6, 1917: US declares war on Germany because of these actions.

How was the war looking for the allies? Not Good... Russia left the war after its communist revolution in 1917. Russia’s withdrawal allowed Germany to fight a one- front war with all its troops concentrated on France (remember this point when you study WWII!). Calling for a Communist revolution, anti-Tsarist protesters gather outside the Winter Palace in Petrograd, Russia, February 1917.

Russia Leaves the War The Bolsheviks, who were communists, overthrew the Russian government The Bolsheviks were led by Vladimir Lenin 1918- the Russians signed the non aggression Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers

Convincing the American People Posters How do you think these posters helped to convince the American people that the war was a good idea?

Getting Public Support for the War Difficult given traditions of isolationism and neutrality. Wilson cast war in moral terms— “making the world safe for democracy” This played on people’s ideas of America as the savior.

U.S. Entry Into WWI U.S. Position Most Americans wanted to stay neutral at first (why fight a war that was 3,000 miles away) U.S. tried to maintain trade with both Allied and Central Powers Americans eventually supported our involvement on the side of the Allies for two reasons: Ensure Allied repayment of debts to the U.S. Prevent Germans from threatening U.S. shipping 26

U.S. Mobilizes for War Selective Service Act is passed in Congress men between 21 and 30 could be drafted War Industries Board meets war demand Raise taxes and issue liberty bonds

U.S. Enters the War General John J. Pershing leads the U.S. troops, known as the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) Unlike European soldiers who were fighting for three years, Americans were energetic and fresh

Blacks in WWI Blacks were drafted on the same basis as the whites. Blacks were assigned to segregated units commanded by white officers. One fifth of the black soldiers sent to France saw combat, compared to two-thirds of the whites. "The mass of the colored drafted men cannot be used for combatant troops", said a General Staff report in 1918, and it recommended that "these colored drafted men be organized in reserve labor battalions."

Propaganda in the War Government created Committee on Public Information—headed by George Creel. Goal—to sell the war to America and convince the world of the righteousness of Wilson’s war aims. Propaganda… posters, movies, songs Anti-Germanism on the rise

The “Mad Brute”

Government Excess & Threats to the Civil Liberties of Americans 1. Espionage Act – 1917 forbade actions that obstructed recruitment or efforts to promote insubordination in the military. ordered the Postmaster General to remove Leftist materials from the mail. fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to 20 years in prison.

Government Excess & Threats to the Civil Liberties of Americans 2. Sedition Act – 1918 it was a crime to speak against the purchase of war bonds or willfully utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about this form of US Govt., the US Constitution, or the US armed forces or to willfully urge, incite, or advocate any curtailment of production of things necessary or essential to the prosecution of the war…with intent of such curtailment to cripple or hinder, the US in the prosecution of the war.

Government Excess & Threats to the Civil Liberties of Americans 3. Schenck v. US – 1919 in ordinary times the mailing of the leaflets would have been protected by the 1st Amendment. BUT, every act of speech must be judged according to the circumstances in which it was spoken. If an act of speech posed a clear and present danger, then Congress had the power to restrain such speech.

U. S. Food Administration Gardens during this time were called Victory Gardens.

U. S. Food Administration

National War Garden Commission

U. S. School Garden Army

End of the War On 4 November 1918, the Austro-Hungarian empire agreed to an armistice, and Germany agreed to an armistice on 11 November 1918, ending the war in victory for the Allies. Treaty of Versailles signed by Germany on 28 June 1919 Had to pay reparations for war damages Had to give up territories it still possessed regardless of the people there who considered themselves German Could no longer have a military 117,465 American Deaths in WWI Ottoman Empire was completely dissolved by 1924

The League of Nations was formed with the aim of preventing any repetition of such a conflict. This effort failed, and economic depression, renewed European nationalism, weakened member states, and the German feeling of humiliation contributed to the rise of Nazism. These conditions eventually contributed to World War II.

League of Nations Started in 1920 with the HQ in Geneva Group of countries whose sole purpose was to maintain world peace Tried to disarm much of the world Had some success early on but proved to be very ineffective and was dissolved in 1945 Were continually weaker and weaker as a group do to their pacifist ways (No Bite) Caused a loss of respect Many countries joined but didn’t want to give over power to an international Organization USA continually refused to join which further weakened the LN!

League of Nations Blue & Light Blue – Members and their Colonies Orange – Where LN resolved… something Gray – Not Members

League of Nations

Results of WWI on the Economy? Unemployment virtually disappeared. Expansion of “big government.” Excessive govt. regulations in economy. Unprecedented opportunities for disadvantaged groups.