The US and the “Great War”

European Background M.A.N.I.A. – causes of the war Militarism Alliances –Triple Alliance – Germany, Italy, and Austria- Hungary –Triple Entente – Britain, France, and Russia

Nationalism –Pan-Slavic movement Imperialism Assassination –June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand

War Begins July 28, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Russia allies with Serbia Both alliance systems join in “Home before Christmas” “Christmas Truce”

Trench Warfare Deadly combination of old tactics and new technology Battle of the Somme – July to November, 1916 –60,000 Brits die first day –Total deaths – over 1.2 million –7 miles

American Neutrality “avoid entangling alliances” Both sides are monarchies Trades with both sides, most with Britain

German U-Boats May 7, 1915 – sink the Lusitania –British ship carrying munitions –1,198 die, including 128 Americans –Germany apologizes, gives $ March 16, attack the Sussex –90 Americans die –“Sussex Pledge”

1916 Election Woodrow Wilson (Dem) – “He kept us out of war” Charles Evans Hughes (Rep) – will stand up for American rights Narrow victory – 600,000 votes –10 of 12 female-suffrage states go for Wilson

US enter the War Europe rejects “peace without victory” Germany – unrestricted U-Boat war Zimmerman Telegram – March 1917, intercepted by British (first) Russian Revolution

“Make the world safe for democracy” April 2, 1917 – Wilson asks, Congress declares on April 6 th “War to end all wars” May 1917 – Selective Service Act 2 million Americans go to Europe, –116,000 die (less than 1% total) TR wanted to organize own regiment again

End of the War Russia withdraws after November Revolution, million US troops under Gen. John Pershing push back German western front –November 9, 1918 the Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates Sue for peace to days later

Wilson’s 14 Points (January 18, 1918) No secret treaties Freedom of the seas Lower tariffs Arms reduction Colonial policies… League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles Reject Wilson’s 14 Points as idealistic Embrace policy of “Make Germany pay” Big Four (GB, US, France, Italy) divide up conquered territory $33 billion reparation “war guilt clause” –US never ratified treaty

The end Everyone lived happily ever after…