World War I Chapter 23 Summary

The Allies Great Britain France Italy Russia Belgium Japan Serbia Montenegro …and many, many more… The US did not enter the war until 1917, and then it entered not as an “ally,” but as an “associated power.”

G ermany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire Central Powers Called the “Central Powers” because the allies were located both to their east and their west… Their alliance was forged in 1879, and the confines of their alliance required that they aid each other in the war…

The Great War The War to End All Wars

World War I began in 1914… …but what started it??

On the surface… The war started because of the assassination of one man…

Austro-Hungarian prince, Archduke Ferdinand

He was assassinated by the “Black Hand” The Black Hand was a pro-independence movement in Serbia which hoped to oust the Austro-Hungarians

How did this one event lead to the largest war in the history of the world? Nationalism—the feeling of pride and loyalty that people have for their country or for a shared language or culture Imperialism—Some European nations had colonies in Africa and Asia; those countries that did not envied those colonies Arms Race—Different nations competing to have the most military power Balance of Powers—An attempt to sign treaties and establish allies so that the two groups of nations had almost equal power

America’s Role? Neutral! Arbitration treaties pledged a “cool off” period before committing to war The Peace movement was very strong in America America’s neutrality allowed it to benefit by exporting goods to BOTH sides

By early 1915, World War I had become the bloodiest conflict in history

Fought on THREE fronts… The Western Front –Including, the war on the Atlantic The Eastern Front

Fought in Russia

The Western Front Fought in Europe and on the seas Characterized by trench warfare Strategies included artillery bombardments and hand-to-hand combat Stalemate No Man’s Land

War on the Atlantic British Navy was stronger than the German Navy Both sides used blockades Germans effectively used “undersea” ships, commonly called…

U-Boats

The blockades and the German submarine attacks hurt the American economy

When German U-boats began attacking American vessels, President Wilson announced that the Germans would be held accountable for future attacks Then…

ATTACK!!

The Germans attacked an American ship called the Luistania Wilson did not declare war –He asked the Germans to apologize, requested that they pay damages, and asked them to promise not to attack American ships in the future –The Germans agreed in the Sussex pledge

1916—American joins the war… Wilson was still reluctant to enter the war He tried to negotiate a “Peace without Victory”

When the Germans attacked an American merchant ship, Wilson broke off negotiations with Germany The Germans tried to ally with Mexico In 1917, Wilson asked congress to declare war: “The world must be made safe for Democracy”

Organizing Wartime America Wilson suspended anti-trust laws The government seized oversight of railroads Established the War Industries Board –Oversee production and manufacturing of food –Organize American industry as one big factory

The WIB developed slogans and posters to support the war effort. This propaganda encouraged Americans to sacrifice in order to support the war. Some of their slogans included:

When in doubt, eat potatoes. and… If you have a sugar tooth, pull it out. and… and perhaps the most famous...

Food Will Win the War!

Labor in Wartime A draft was passed in 1917 Drafted all races, but the military was segregated Women were not drafted, but many from all social classes, volunteered Conditions for workers improved during wartime –Increased wages –Upward job mobility –Increase in union memberships The war especially helped minority workers and women workers

Propaganda The Committee on Public Information was created to help convince Americans to support the war Used propaganda to influence public opinion –Anti-German –Anyone against the war was unpatriotic –Selling war bonds to support the war –Supported the draft

Anti-German propaganda…

Protesters and the War… Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was a radical labor movement –They staged strikes

Anti-protestor Legislation Passed Espionage Act Sedition Act Anti-German sentiment Communist Revolution Clear definition of the freedom of speech –Sensibile limits placed on freedom of speech in wartime –Cannot shout “Fire!” in a crowded theater –If there is a clear and present danger that something said might hurt the war effort, then the government can take action

Weapons of the Great War War became mechanized Tanks

Weapons of the Great War Poison Gas

Weapons of the Great War Airplanes

Weapons of the Great War Machine Guns

Other Statistics… Americans were killed in WWI 230,000 wounded More died of the Spanish Flu 2 million people worldwide died of the Flu epidemic

Wilson’s Plan for Peace –Wilson was planning for peace, even as America was entering the war –Wilson wanted fair treatment for all Did not want to establish such hard terms that the losers would begin plotting another war to regain what they lost

Wilson’s Plan for Peace –Fourteen Points Establishing wartime etiquette Redrawing the boundaries of European power Right of self-determination –peoples should be able to decide which country they belong to League of Nations—international Congress established to settle international disputes –Wilson’s “just peace” helped to shorten the war because the terms encouraged the Germans to surrender

Versailles Peace Conference –The allies met in Versailles to draft a formal treaty –Wilson represented the American delegation First time a President had left office to participate in this way –Council of Four America, Great Britain, France, Italy –Wilson was forced to agree to the terms set down by the British, French and Italian representatives Germany had to pay the cost of ALL of the war (reparations-- $33 billion) Not what Wilson had promised “Peace without victory” –Established the League of Nations

So what were the effects of World War I?