World War I

Causes of the War  Improved technology and industrialization created a new sense of nationalism among countries.  A growing rivalry over European trade, colonies, and influence in Africa and Asia.  The large European powers began an arms race followed by a system of national treaties and alliances.  The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.

New Military Technology  The new industrialism meant new advances in the science of warfare  Rapid-firing rifles, improved explosives, motorized Gatlin guns, enormous artillery pieces, first use of tanks  Airplanes, submarines, poison gas and trench warfare strategies

Neutrality  Despite President Wilson’s call for American neutrality, the majority of Americans favored the Allies.  Ultimately, most Americans believed that France and England were fighting to preserve human culture against barbarians.

Deciding for War  Wilson’s re-election in 1916 seemed to be a mandate for further attempts at neutrality.  Wilson outlined a plan for “peace without victory”-Fourteen Points.  The German leaders thought they could win the war and rejected Wilson’s attempt at negotiation.  Interception of the Zimmerman telegram increased pressure to go to war.

A Patriotic Crusade  For most Americans, the war was a remote ideal  Committee of Public Information was created to flood America with propaganda in an anti- German context.  The Espionage, Sedition, and Trading With the Enemy Acts severely limited the freedoms of Americans.  Prompted the early Civil Liberties Bureau which became the ACLU

Over There  The United States entered the World War in the spring of 1917 after three years of European fighting.  General “Black Jack” Pershing insisted that American troops be segregated from French and British divisions.  The U.S. entered the war late and lost little compared to Britain and France.

Great Migration and Flu  Over 100,00 African-Americans migrate to northern cities during the war for factory jobs.  In the fall of 1919 brought the end of the Great War and the beginning of the Spanish Flu epidemic that claimed the lives of over 43,000 American servicemen, 675,000 Americans overall, and 40 million people worldwide in the space of little more than two years.

Finances and the Federal Government  World War I cost the United States over $33 billion in 1918 dollars  The Federal government was organized to combat food shortages, promote scientific advancement, and take over operation of the railroads – most government power in history!

Suffrage for Women  Women’s involvement in the war effort bolstered their arguments for suffrage.  The Nineteenth Amendment, securing a woman’s right to vote, was ratified in 1920  Prohibition also gets a boost from anti-German anti-beer sentiment

1917 Russian Revolution  Russia has not progressed as far industrially as other major powers and is ill equipped to fight in World War I  Huge losses, scattered mutinies  Czar overthrown, Lenin declares communist state, eventually succeeds  Russian Civil War Reds vs. Whites  U.S. sends troops to help Whites

Treaty of Versailles  Map of Europe Changed dramatically  Winners gain territory, losers lose and are divided  Germany forced to admit war blame  Axis powers must pay huge reparations  Sets the stage for World War II – Germany’s revenge!