World War I War to End All Wars 1917-1919
The Final Straws Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare Zimmerman note Russian Revolution April 2, 1917, Wilson asked for war “The world must be safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make.”
Wilson’s 14 Points Abolish secret treaties Freedom of the seas Remove economic barriers Reduce armaments Adjust colonial claims Self-determination League of Nations
Committee of Public Information George Creel in charge Patriotic (selling the war) Patriotic songs, movies Liberty loans
Dissent German Americans Anti-German hysteria Espionage Act 1917 and Sedition Act of 1918 Eugene Debs Supported by Schenck v. U.S
Factories At War Confusing, un-concentrated effort because federal government did not want to mandate to businesses “Work or Fight” rule Samuel Gompers and no strike rule
Women Thousands replaced men in the factories Pacifists and supporters Lost much economic freedom after the war
Economy Food Administration War Industries Board Fuel Agency Voluntary basis Victory gardens Increased farm production War Industries Board Standardized production Fuel Agency Daylight savings time
Ploughboys to Doughboys Draft (Selective Service Act) Males between 18-45 Raised army of 4 million Women in military
France in Trouble Russia withdrew from war in 1918 Major German offensive in 1918 Allied Counteroffensive (2nd Battle of Marne) General Pershing (Argonne Forest) Germany seeks armistice
Lucky Number 11 Armistice (11th hour of 11th day of 11th month of 1918) Peace Negotiations Big Four Wilson loses support at home
Treaty of Versailles League of Nations Major revenge treaty Reparations Disarmament Forced to admit entire blame Stripped of colonies
Wilson’s Tour Henry Cabot Lodge led charge against treaty Wilson’s speechmaking tour Collapsed and had a stroke Lodge has his chance Change to treaty Wilson sent word for Democrats to vote against Killed Treaty
Election of 1920 Republican Warren G. Harding Democrat James M. Cox Prisoner received 1 million votes Harding easily won