The Great War

European Background Vladimir Lenin, Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism

European Background Balkans Powder keg Alliances in Europe Ottoman Empire Austro-Hungarian Empire German Empire Alliances in Europe Allied Powers Central Powers Modern Trench Warfare

European Background

U.S. Response President Wilson’s Neutrality Continued trade and financing of warring nations Why was neutrality important? Positive economic impact on the U.S. “We are all making more money out of this war than the average human being ought to.” - A Steel Executive

U.S. Response Issues of International Law Germany and submarine warfare Britain and blockade of non-contraband goods Sinking of the Lusitania, May 1915 Zimmerman Telegram, 1917 Bolshevik Revolution

U.S. Response Wilson wins the 1916 Presidential election “He kept us out of war”

U.S. Response Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war to “make the world safe for democracy” He later states: “Think of what it was they were applauding. My message of today was a message of death for our young men. How strange it seems to applaud that.”

The Homefront Opposition to the war Selective Service Act, 1917 Eugene V. Debs, “Let the capitalists do their own fighting and furnish their own corpses.” Espionage Act (1917), Sedition Act (1918) Selective Service Act, 1917 Able-bodied men between 21 - 31

The Homefront Increased demand for labor African American migration to the north National War Labor Board Propaganda & Anti-German sentiment Hollywood films & Songs produced Images of bigotry & hysteria “Liberty cabbage”

“Over There” Johnny[2], get your gun, get your gun, get your gun. Take it on the run, on the run, on the run. Hear them calling you and me, Every Son of Liberty. Hurry right away, no delay, go today. Make your Daddy glad to have had such a lad. Tell your sweetheart not to pine, To be proud her boy's in line. Johnny, get your gun, get your gun, get your gun, Johnny, show the "Hun"[3] you're a son-of-a-gun. Hoist the flag and let her fly. Yankee Doodle[4] do or die. Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit. Yankee[5] to the ranks from the towns and the tanks.[6] Make your Mother proud of you And the old red-white-and-blue[7] Chorus Over there, over there, Send the word, send the word over there That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming The drums rum-tumming everywhere. So prepare, say a prayer, Send the word, send the word to beware - We'll be over, we're coming over, And we won't come back till it's over, over there.

America at War “Doughboys” Role of Women in the war African Americans in WWI Camp Logan Riots, 1917 War in the air Issues of sex & STDs

The Great War Key Terms: Vladimir Lenin, Trench Warfare, Lusitania, Zimmerman Telegram, Espionage Act, Selective Service Act, Camp Logan Riot