Chapter 17 – World War I (1914 – 1920) “The Great War”

Learning Objectives Describe the causes of World War I. Identify the events that led the United States to enter the war. Discuss how the war changed the lives of Americans at home. Explain how the United States helped the Allies win the war. Describe the Treaty of Versailles. Explore how propaganda is used.

Section 1 – A World War Begins Causes of War in Europe Many people felt their group or nation was better than others or extreme “nationalism.” Contest between nations for trade and colonies. Growth of alliances or groups of nations that promise to protect one another. Many European countries did not trust one another….arms race started to build weapons and military power to show greatness or power. The Archduke and the Terrorist 1914, Austria-Hungry weak nation with groups from many background. Controlled Bosnia and Serbs in Bosnia wanted to join nation of Serbia. June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated by a Serbian, Gavrilo Princip while visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia. Within six weeks, war broke out. The Central Powers and the Allied Nations Germany, Austia-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers). Great Britain, France and Russia (Allies). The longest fighting took place on the Western Front, in France and Belgium.

At the end of 1914, the war reached a stalemate. The First Years of War At the end of 1914, the war reached a stalemate. Each side had won and lost some battles. Soldiers on both sides dug trenches along the Western Front. Millions of soldiers would die in these trenches due to the elements, and disease from rats and bugs. “No-man’s land”- empty areas between the two sides. Battles lasted for months / Somme River Battle in France lasted from July to November 1916. More than one million soldiers were killed or wounded. Weapons of War New weapons: machine guns, tanks, poison gas, submarines, and airplanes. Many civilians were killed on both sides by bombs, cannon fire, starvation, disease, and lack of shelter.

Section 2 – From Neutral to Declaration of War The United States is Neutral 1917 US drawn into the war based on Germany’s actions. Pres. Wilson said US would remain neutral. Both Allies and Central Powers used propaganda to try to get Americans to join their side. Sinking of the Lusitania Great Britain set up blockades of German ports. Food and supplies could not reach Germany. Germany decided to use U-boats (submarines) to hurt the British navy. May 7, 1915, a German submarine sank the British ocean liner Lusitania. 1, 200 died, 128 were Americans. Turned many Americans against Germany. Early 1917, German submarines were sinking any ships that came near Britain. In one three-week period 134 ships sank.

The Zimmerman Telegram February 1917, British gave US a secret telegraph message they overheard. German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman sent a message to German ambassador in Mexico. Said to get Mexico into the war as a Central Power. Promised that Germany would help Mexico and take back lands in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. April 1917, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany and the Central Powers.

Section 3 – The Home Front Raising the Troops 1917, Congress passed a draft law known as the Selective Service Act. Law said that all men between the ages of 21 and 30 had to sign up for the draft. 1918, the law was extended to men from 18-45. Within 18 months, almost 3 million Americans had been drafted / More than 1 million men had volunteered. Changes in the Economy War changed the US economy and American lives. Millions of men left their jobs to fight in the war. Women replaced men in some jobs: factory work, drove trucks, railroad jobs. Mexican immigrants worked on farms, on railroads and in factories. African Americans worked in factories, mines and other businesses. Supporting the Troops Soldiers needed most of the food the farmers produced. Families went without meat on certain days of the week. Families grew their own food in “victory gardens.” Women and children sewed and knitted clothing for the troops, wrote letters and gathered books for the soldiers to read. Americans supported the war by buying bonds.

Section 4 – The War to End All Wars When the first US troops arrived millions of people had already been killed. Revolt in Russia From 1914-1917, Russian troops were an important part of the Allied forces. The Russians fought the Germans along the Eastern front. Revolution broke our in Russia and in November 1917, Communists took power from the Tsar. Communism – an economic system in which the govt. owns all property and businesses. Many people died and the Tsar and his family were murdered in 1918. The Communist govt. signed a peace agreement with Germany and the Central Powers. US Troops Arrive US troops had to cross the Atlantic to reach Europe. US Navy traveled in convoys or warships along with ships carrying troops. First US troops arrived in France in June 1917. / More than 1 million US soldiers came to France to fight. In early 1918 broke through the Allied lines and came within 50 miles of Paris but were stopped by French and US troops

Between 1918-1919 a flu epidemic killed 20 million people. The Allies Push Ahead US troops fought two very important battles in France that helped end the war. Belleau Wood – for 24 hours a day for two weeks, US troops fought their way through. German machine guns hidden in trees fired down on Americans and killed or wounded 8,000 in battle. / US took control. The Argonne Forest – large area along the Western Front controlled by Germans. 9/26/1918 1 million+ Americans attacked at dawn. 100,000+ Americans were killed or wounded. Battle lasted 47 days until pushed through enemy lines. By 11/1918 German army began to retreat or fall back. 11/11/1918 in a railroad car in northern France, the Allies and Central Powers signed an agreement to end the war. Germany accepted the terms of the armistice. The Cost of War US had been at war for less than year providing extra forces needed by the Allies. Much of Northern France destroyed and millions of people in Germany were starving. Between 1918-1919 a flu epidemic killed 20 million people.

The Allies’ Plan for Peace Wilson wanted WWI to be the “war to end all wars.” Plan for peace called “14 Points.” Plan included League of Nations – countries meet to solve problems w/o fighting. Jan. 1919 Wilson met w/ leaders of Italy Great Britain and France at the Palace of Versailles outside of Paris, France. Leaders were called the “Big Four.” Treaty of Versailles signed in June 1919. Forced Germany to take the blame for war and pay billions of $’s in damages to Allied countries. Germany did not have enough money to pay us. Some of Wilson’s Fourteen Points were included / League of Nation formed. US never a member since Senate did not approve Treaty.

# of soldiers from all countries killed 8,528,831 World War I, 1914-1918 # of soldiers from all countries killed 8,528,831 # of soldiers from all countries wounded 21,189,154 # of American soldiers killed 126,000 # of American soldiers wounded 204,002 Cost to US $33.7 billion