US INVOLVEMENT IN WWI

Causes of American Involvement 1. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare 2. British propaganda 3. Zimmerman Telegraph 4. Russian Revolution

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Germany created new submarine called the ”U-Boat” British blockaded North Sea, so Germany gave a “sink on sight” order to any ship approaching Britain May 7th, 1915-British passenger liner the “Lusitania” sunk off the coast of Ireland Killed 128 Americans

The Lusitania

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Aug. 1915 The Arabic is sunk by the Germans 2 Americans are killed

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare March 1916 The Sussex, an unarmed passenger ship is sunk America threatens to cut off diplomatic relations Sussex pledge- no passenger or merchant ships would be sunk without warning

British Propaganda The British sent news of the war to US newspapers everyday Full of Propaganda Led the American public to be sympathetic toward the British

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

Zimmerman Telegram March 1917-British authorities gave to the US a telegram that was supposedly sent to Mexico from Germany It had been decoded by the British It asked Mexico to declare war on the US and they would be supported by Germany

Russian Revolution March 1917-Russia left WWI due to a Revolution in their own country Germany now would concentrate totally on the Western Front Pleas from Great Britain and France to join the war effort

Declaration of War April 2, 1917-Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany “The World must be made safe for Democracy” April 6th-Congress votes and declares war

Mobilization Europe needed munitions and supplies-immediate action Encouraged people to eat less meat and bread Invented Daylight Savings to conserve fuel

Mobilization Convinced Americans to put savings into “Liberty Bonds” Increased income tax, business tax, and excise tax

US Propaganda Made heroes out of soldiers and villains out of the Germans Attacked and gave new names to anything that sounded German

US Propaganda

US Propaganda

Civil Liberties Espionage Act of 1917-imprisoned for 20 year if caught inciting a riot or obstructing the draft Sedition Act of 1918-Prohibited from making disloyal remarks Schneck v. US (1919)-Restriction of civil liberties is ok if it demonstrates a “clear and present danger” to public safety

Minorities Women-Entered the workforce in mass, took the jobs of soldiers fighting in Europe Mexicans-immigrating in mass to get agricultural work in the southwest African-Americans-400,000 volunteered for the armed services, served in non-combat roles, and in segregated units

Armed Forces Thousands volunteered Selective Service Act (1917)-2.8 million drafted by lottery American Expeditionary Force (AEF) led by General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing

Casualties 49,000-Combat Deaths 64,000-Died from Disease Worldwide Flu Epidemic

Armistice November 11, 1918 at 11am “On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour” Memorialized-Veterans Day Germany surrendered their arms, Navy, and occupied territory

Wilson’s Plan Called the 14 points Points 1-5-Remove the Causes of War Freedom of Seas Prohibit secret treaties Reduce Arms Reduce colonies Self-Determination-each person allowed to move to country of their nationality

Wilson’s Plan Points 6-13-Boundary Changes Point 14-League of Nations Most valued-heart of peace plan Peace association-solve problems by diplomatic means instead of war

Treaty of Versailles January 1919-Paris Big Four Woodrow Wilson-US David Lloyd George-Great Britain Georges Clemenceau-France Vittorio Orlando-Italy

Wilson

Lloyd George

Clemenceau

Orlando

Treaty of Versailles Wilson wanted this to be the “war to end all wars” Others wanted revenge Months of arguing Wilson compromised on all of his 14 points except one

Treaty of Versailles Provisions 1. Germany was disarmed, stripped of colonies, forced to admit guilt, occupation of Rhineland, and had to pay reparations (war debt) to England and France 2. Many boundary changes 3. Established a League of Nations

Boundary Changes

Weakness of Treaty Central Powers not invited Russia not invited-took land away Germany blamed Led to three wars WWII Cold War Vietnam War

US Ratification Wilson returns with treaty Has to get 2/3 vote in Senate Election of 1918-Majority of Republicans in both houses Senate-raised objections to treaty especially League of Nations-against the Monroe Doctrine

US Ratification Opponents divided into two groups Irreconcilables-would not accept the treaty Reservationists-Would accept the treaty if reservations placed on League of Nations Henry Cabot Lodge leader of reservationists

US Ratification Wilson against any reservations Tries to rally public support by a speaking tour in the west Sept. 25th, 1919-collapsed while speaking, returned to Washington and suffered a massive stroke Never recovered Many believe his wife was running the country Led to the 25th Amendment-Presidential handicap

US Rejection of Treaty Senate voted twice on treaty Rejected both times 1921-US signed separate peace treaty with Germany Never ratified the Treaty of Versailles or joined the League of Nations