World War I US History

Allies v. Central Powers

Reading One: Wilson 8/19/1914 Audience: Who is he speaking to? Context: When is Wilson giving this speech? Purpose: In Wilson’s first speech, does he believe that the US should enter WWI? Why do you think he would take that viewpoint?

US Exports to Warring Nations 1914 to 1916 Economic Interests US Exports to Warring Nations 1914 to 1916 NATION 1914 1915 1916 G. Britain $594,271,863 $911,794,954 $1,526,685,102 France $159,818,924 $369,397,170 $628,851,988 Germany $344, 794,276 $28,863,354 $288,899 Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant

Lusitania

Zimmerman Note Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico against the United States. Offered to help Mexico regain the territories lost to United States The telegram was intercepted by the British Mexico declined the offer

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Germany announced that as of January 31, 1917, they would start submarine warfare against any ships headed to Allied ports including American ships. Over 2000 Allied and neutral ships were sunk in 1917.

Reading Two: Wilson 4/2/1917 Context: What has changed since the first speech? Give 2-3 specific examples Purpose: Does he believe the US should enter the war? Why? What does he accuse Germany of doing? Why do you think he added the last part? How would this make you feel as an American? Should the US have joined World War I based on what you have learned? Be sure to explain why with facts.

Declaration of War – April 1917

Reading Three: Historian Howard Zinn, 1995 1. Why does Zinn disagree with Wilson’s argument? 2. What does Zinn argue are the real reasons for the US entering World War I? What evidence does he present? 3. Do you find Zinn’s argument convincing?

Summary # 1 - Causes of WWI Who/What/Where/Why/When Details to include: Allies (countries) v. Central Powers (countries) US Neutrality – Why? Economic Policy German Naval Policy Zimmerman Note US Declaration of War

The Sedition Act Whoever, when the United States is at war, shall willfully utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States or the Constitution of the United States, or the military or naval forces of the United States, or the flag of the United States, or the uniform of the Army or Navy of the United States . . . or shall willfully utter, print, write, or publish any language intended to incite, provoke, or encourage resistance to the United States . . . shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or the imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both.

Limits on Civil Liberties Sedition Act – prohibited speech critical of the government Espionage Act –any actions that interfere with foreign relations are illegal

Document Analysis Document A – Debs Document B - Schenck Who is the audience? What was happening at the time of the speech? What is the main message of the speech? What is one piece of evidence to support the main message? What do you think happened to each person?

Schenck v. US (1919) Background: Legal Question(s): Legal Decision: Schenck was convicted for violating the Espionage Act of 1917. He was guilty of handing out anti-draft literature. Legal Question(s): Were Schenck’s 1st Amendment freedom of speech rights violated? Legal Decision: No (9-0) Impact: In times of “clear and present danger” there may be limits to freedom of speech.

Supreme Court opinion by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Supreme Court opinion by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., March 3, 1919. The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done. The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting “Fire!” in a theatre and causing a panic. . . . The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent. . . . When a nation is at war many things that might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured so long as men fight and that no Court could regard them as protected by any constitutional right.

Discussion Questions Do you think Debs and Schenck broke the law? Were critics of the war anti-American?

Great Migration

Article # 2 – Impact of WWI Who/What/Where/Why/When Details to include: Anti-German Hysteria Suspension of Civil Liberties Schenck v. US Great Migration

League of Nations Idealism vs. Realism

Wilson’s Fourteen Points I. No secret treaties II. Freedom of the seas III. Free trade IV. Armament reductions V. Readjustment of colonial claims VI – XIII. Self Determination of Nations XIV. League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles – ends WWI Punishes Germany – takes away land, military, colonies; forces Germans to pay war reparations Includes League of Nations (international peace keeping organization)

Document Analysis Document A – Wilson Document B - Lodge Why are they giving the speech? What was happening at the time of the speech? What is the speaker’s tone? (Support it with a quote). What is their best argument? (Support it with a quote).

Point of View?

Article # 3 – Results of WWI Who/What/Where/Why/When Details to include: 14 Points Treaty of Versailles League of Nations Opposition to Treaty of Versailles Results of Treaty Votes

Post WWI Reactions Red Summer (Video) Red Scare (Reading) Xenophobia (define)