America in WWI

Total War The nations involved in World War I needed to commit to a strategy of total war Needed to support a modern, mechanized war Governments responded by: Imposing universal military conscription Setting up systems to arm, transport, and supply armies Raising taxes and borrowing money Rationing food and other products Setting prices and forbidding strikes

Propaganda War Both sides in the conflict waged a propaganda war They urged civilians to enlist or to loan money to the government. They played up atrocities committed by the enemy. They censored the press and the arts to keep bad war news from the public.

Women in the War Effort Total war meant that women had to take over the jobs of men who left to serve in the military – War industries – Manufacturing – Nursing – Farming – Armed forces Their work helped convince the United States, Germany, and Britain to give women the vote

America’s decision to enter the war 1. Sinking of the Lusitania – British passenger liner – Sunk by German sub – 1,200 died, including 128 Americans

America’s decision to enter the war 2. Unrestricted German submarine attacks – Germany refused to give warning in sub attacks

America’s decision to enter the war 3. Zimmerman note – German plot to provoke Mexico to war against US – Significance – changed public opinion in U.S.

Different Perspectives We will read two different perspectives on why America entered WWI and try to determine which is more accurate

Pre-War America When America entered the war in 1917, we had just over 100,000 troops Smaller than 16 other countries Congress had to institute the draft

As America enters, Russia exits Russian Revolution – Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took over – Signed a peace treaty with Germany – Significance: Let Germany fight a one-front war

The state of the war Germany was slaughtering British and French troops By May of 1918 they were just 50 miles from Paris

America to the rescue American troops jumped in and saved Paris Turned the tide of war 250,000 American troops arriving in France each month

IMPORTANCE OF WWI Deaths – Killed 9 million combatants and 5 million civilians Politically – Downfall of 4 empires, led to Bolshevik rise to power in Russia, triumph of fascism in Italy American interests – Led America to become the world’s leading creditor and industrial power Other consequences – Mass murder of Armenians in Turkey – Influenza epidemic that killed 25 million people