World War I

Long Term Causes of the Great War Imperialism Nationalism Militarism Entangling Alliances Immediate Cause in 1914: Assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and domino effect of alliances.

The two sides Central Powers Allied Powers (triple alliance) Germany U.S. was officially neutral, but had more economic ties with Britain and France Wilson’s 1916 re-election slogan: “He kept us out of the war.” British propaganda about German atrocities influenced U.S. media German and Irish Americans did not want to be involved. Why? Central Powers (triple alliance) Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Allied Powers (triple entente) Britain France Russia

Why did the U.S. join – simple version Lusitania sunk by German U-boat in May, 1915 British Ocean liner with 128 Americans Zimmerman Note (Telegram) as Germany proposes an alliance with Mexico in Feb., 1917. Or did they? Make World Safe for Democracy – Self-determination for all nations. After the “White Revolution” in Russia

Russian Revolution for US History March, 1917 – Czar Nicholas II is overthrown and a democratic gov’t is formed – “White Revolution” (April, 1917 – U.S. declares War and joins Allies) Oct, 1917 – Vladimir Lenin and Bolsheviks overthrow democratic gov’t establish a new Communist nation. IWW was a part of the overthrow The U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union) withdraws from the war.

WWI Military to know Eastern Front & Western Front Russians were on Eastern. When they withdrew the fighting was on the Western Front (where the U.S. soldiers went) American Expeditionary Force led by Gen. John Pershing Biggest battles U.S. involved with: Marne River and Argonne Forest. Trench Warfare and No Man’s Land

New weapons in a deadly war Mechanized Warfare Tanks Machine Guns Barbed wire Mines Poisonous Gas Flame throwers Airplanes U-boats

A Hero and an end Alvin York Armistice - ceasefire Pacifists who later joined. Why? Hero would won Medal of Honor. Armistice - ceasefire November 11, 1919 U.S. lost 112,000 in 2 years Total - 10 million (20 million wounded)

The War at Home – part I Espionage and Sedition Acts Over 2000 arrested (including Debs) Schenck v. U.S. Upheld it with “clear and present danger” doctrine What would grow out of this? Selective Service Act Aka – draft Over 2.8 million drafted Conscientious objectors

War at home – part II War Boards – gov’t intrusion over personal? War Industries Board led by Bernard Baruch. Gov’t control over raw materials and prices. Food Administration Board led by Hebert Hoover. Helped US export more food. Committee on Public Information led by George Creel Propaganda Famous for posters

Economic Impacts Liberty Bonds Although thought to be a negative at first, the war was great for the U.S. economy. Factory production rises Farm production rises (and farmers modernize) Gold flows into United States from Europe Liberty Bonds Loans to finance War Taxes also raised to help pay for war. What would happen with gov’t during the war?

War’s Social Impact Great Migration continues as more blacks more to northern cities for jobs Segregated military Backlash on immigrants (German and Italian) Mexican’s encouraged to come and work More jobs for women Unions gain strength with labor needed

Fourteen Points During WWI, President Wilson tried to shape the peace settlement. Some of the broader ideas: Many territorial questions Recognition of Freedom of the seas End of secret treaties Reduce national armies and navies Self-determination of many nationalities in Europe General association of nations (what would become League of Nations )

Treaty of Versailles President Wilson came to defend his Fourteen Points Many of his ideas were included Germany had to admit guilt for the war and pay Reparations Article X – established the League of Nations

Battle for the Treaty in the Senate Irreconcilables Could not accept membership into the League of Nations no matter what. Would not vote for it at all Reservationists Led by Henry Cabot Lodge Would accept it if certain provisions were added President Wilson chose to fight this and it would be the downfall of the treaty. Treaty was rejected and the U.S. never joined the League.

Flu and Recession Post-war recession 1918 Flu Epidemic Happens after most wars Made worse by flu epidemic Major strikes and Race riots in 1919. Boston Police Strike 1919 National Guard called in after layoffs and wage cuts to police 1918 Flu Epidemic Worldwide after soldiers spread it Not as bad in U.S., but still thousand die Today we know it was an avian flu

The Red Scare Palmer Raids Who? Why? Sacco and Vanzetti Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer ordered mass arrests of anarchists, Socialists, and “labor agitators” Who? Why? Dillingham Report had said what? Sacco and Vanzetti

Return to Normalcy The end of the war, marked the end of the Progressive movement and a start of a more conservative period. The postwar recession would end and the 1920s would be a boom for business (but then what?). Election of 1920 – Harding would win with his Normalcy slogan. But would the 1920s really be normal?

More Posters

Reflection Questions What were the causes of the 1st World War and what caused the United States to join? Even through the U.S. was only in the war for two years, what were the impacts on the United States? How did fighting change in World War I? What happened with the peace process in both Europe and in the United States and how would that impact future events?

Links http://www.tentimesone.com/if-world-war-one-was-a-bar-fight/ - barfight wwi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYK-9VCvIBA – barfight verbal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xn_z8uwPfQ&feature=relmfu – review causes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj2v7-0tAC0 – ww1 overview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP_0DkpFOKs – combat videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCRRS_MqcVQ&feature=related – technology in WW1