Causes of the War Underlying Causes: Immediate Causes: Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism Immediate Causes: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Causes of the War Underlying Causes: Immediate Causes: M ilitarism A lliances I mperialism N ationalism Immediate Causes: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

War in Europe Most of Europe is at war Allied Powers vs. Central Powers Allied: England, France, Russia, Italy Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire New technology makes war deadlier Machine gun Poison gas Tanks Planes Artillery Both sides resort to trench warfare to survive

British Mark V Tank

French Renault FT

The US and the War The US declares neutrality Is the US REALLY neutral?!? American heritage is tied to England… France helped America in the Revolutionary War… Lots of German immigrants in the country… Lots of Irish immigrants in the country… US tries to trade with both sides Sends food, weapons, and money to Europe Allied Powers get ~$2 Billion dollars in aid/trade Central Powers get ~$27 Million dollars in aid/trade

US Enters the War Germany using unrestricted submarine warfare to try to beat England and France Germany sinks the Lusitania, a passenger ship, killing over 1,200, including 128 Americans in 1915 Germany torpedoes the Sussex, which kills ~100 in 1916 Germany signs the Sussex Pledge, promising to NOT use unrestricted submarine warfare Germany sends the Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in 1917 Asks Mexico to attack the US to keep us out of Europe Germany resumes using unrestricted submarine warfare Germany sinks four US ships in March 1917 Finally, the US declares war in April 1917

Painting of U-Boat Sinking

SS Sussex

The War at Home War is GREAT for the American economy! American factories building tanks, planes, guns, bombs American banks lending money to England and France Labor shortage leads to rising worker wages War cuts off almost all immigration from Europe Two million American men drafted into the Army Workers salaries go from ~$15/week to ~$100/week Americans asked to ration (conserve) food, fuel, and resources for the war effort

Women in Factories

Shifting Demographics Labor shortage means lots of NEW workers Women start working in factories making real $$$ for the first time African-Americans move from south to north to work in factories Hispanics (mainly Mexicans) move to southwest US to work in agricultural jobs We’ll come back to these changing demographics and gender roles next time!

New Workers

New Workers

The US in Europe US builds army through the Selective Service (the Draft) American Expeditionary Force led by General John J. Pershing American soldiers (called “doughboys”) break the stalemate in Europe Alvin York wins the Congressional Medal of Honor for fighting in France Germany asks for a cease-fire on November 11, 1918

The Peace Plan After the War Who goes to peace conference? England, France, Italy, the US What do they want? England: revenge France: revenge Italy: revenge The US: peace, and to make sure this never happened again

The Big Four

The Peace Plan After the War President Wilson proposes his Fourteen Points 14 big ideas for ending war, like smaller armies and navies, or letting people vote for their government Wilson’s biggest idea is a “League of Nations” England, France, and Italy disagree with Wilson Wilson agrees to give up all his other points if they accept the League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles Germany has to accept blame for the war Germany has to pay reparations in the amount of $33 billion dollars Germany has to give up its army and some if its colonies This is HUMILIATING for Germany! Germans are desperate for leadership following the war Helps start World War II just 20 years later

Europe Before the War

Europe After the War

Wilson Brings the Treaty Home Treaties have to be approved by the Senate It’s a rule in the Constitution The Senate, led by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge reject the treaty Lodge says the treaty will get the US involved in European affairs (and maybe wars…) The US NEVER joins the League of Nations

US Rejects the Treaty