Unit 9 WWI

Causes of WWI Nationalism Assassination of Imperialism Francis Ferdinand Imperialism Economic Rivalries Alliance System (Triple Alliance & Triple Entente) Militarism

Fighting in Europe Trench Warfare Both sides dug trenches that extended for hundreds of miles. Naval Blockade Britain wanted to starve Germany into submission, and Germany tried to prevent Allied shipments to Britain Airplanes Started out scouting enemy positions, then bombed the enemy positions, then both sides engaged in aerial “dogfights”

America goes to War Cultural Ties Most Americans favored and could trace their ancestry to the Allied Powers Propaganda Both sides used propaganda to gain support for the war, but Americans were angry when Germany invaded neutral Belgium Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Germany began sinking any ships that entered British waters including the Lusitania, killing 128 Americans Zimmerman Telegram German Arthur Zimmerman sent a secret telegram to Mexico asking them to attack the United States

America at War Mobilization The United States sent one million soldiers to Europe under the command of General Pershing (American Expeditionary Force) Selective Service Act This was required military service based on a draft of registered men. Eventually 3 million men were drafted, another 2 million volunteered. Some chose not to serve due to religious concerns (conscientious objectors) Committee of Public Information George Creel was appointed to run it, and they created posters, pamphlets, billboards, newspaper articles , movies, and the 4 minute men gave speeches

War-Time Economy War Industries Board Led by Bernard Baruch, they coordinated America’s wartime manufacturing Food Administration Led by Herbert Hoover, they oversaw the production and distribution of America’s food. Asked citizens to voluntarily eat less wheat and meat. Fuel Administration Regulated America’s coal and gasoline supply War Labor Board They mediated labor disputes between owners and workers so manufacturing would continue throughout the war Paying for the War Increase of income taxes, liberty bonds, and loans

Civil Rights Women and Minorities Espionage Act – created procedures for detecting and imprisoning spies Sedition Act – made it a crime to use “disloyal” language toward the government, flag, or constitution The government prosecuted over 2000 people under these acts, including Eugene Debs and Charles Schenck Women and Minorities Many women joined the labor force, joined the military, or fought for suffrage African Americans still faced segregation at home and in the military. Thousands left the south to move north and fill manufacturing jobs (Great Migration)

Victory Arriving in spring 1917, the U.S. brought much needed fresh troops, supplies, and weapons. The American Expeditionary Force gave the Allies superiority The Germans surrendered 11/11/1918 signing the armistice Over 117,000 Americans were killed in just a year and a half Peace Wilson proposed his 14 points peace plan. England and France rejected most of them, but agreed to the League of Nations Eventually the Treaty of Versailles was signed ending the war. Germany was required to accept much of the blame, pay reparations to the Allies, give up territory to France and Poland, and significantly reduce their military