1. What impact did World War One have on America? Objective: Know the positive and negative impacts of WW1 on America. 11 June, 2016

2. The First World War began in Europe in 1914. At first, the USA remained officially neutral and did not join the conflict. This was partly because of its traditional policy of isolationism, but also because American public opinion was divided, due to the diverse European backgrounds of its citizens. Democrat President Woodrow Wilson continued to preach peace in 1915 – 16, but by April 1917 the USA entered the war on the side of the Allied countries for several key reasons. 1.An increase of German submarine attacks on Americans ships, especially the sinking of the Lusitania. 2.The British and French markets were more important that the German market. Indeed, sales to Britain and France soared from $825million in 1914 to $3.2 billion in 1916. 3.The USA could not afford to see Germany winning the war against countries such as Britain, which owed the USA large amounts of money. With its powerful economy and financial strength, the USA helped bring about and end to the war. Over 1 million Americans fought on the Western Front in 1918, and the war ended in November 1918. 1.What was the traditional American approach to foreign policy? 2.Why did the USA join the war on the Allies side?

3. Impact of the First World War Economic Strength Social and Economic Problems IsolationismImmigration Unemployment and Strikes 4 million soldiers came home Industrial workers were laid off as industrial demand fell Prices doubled. Employers refused to increase wages = strikes. Fear of Radicalism Communist Parties established. Anarchists started bomb attacks. People feared revolution Race Riots White communities attacked blacks Blacks faced discrimination and poor economic circumstances after the war

4. The Growth Of Isolationism Objective: Understand what isolationism was and what it meant for America 11 June 2016

5. Woodrow Wilson President of the USA Fourteen Points speech, January 1918 Proposed a clear set of war aims with the objective of establishing world peace. Presented the war as a struggle for freedom and democracy Wanted the USA to take a leading global role through the creation of a League of Nations League of Nations was to be an association of nations with the main aim of preventing war and keeping the peace by nations talking to each other

6. But how did the American people feel by 1918? Important to understand the mood of American people at the end of WW1 the war seemed remote to many American people people were angry and upset about the unnecessary loss of life in a war that did not really concern the USA most people wanted to keep out of other countries’ problems

7. The rejection of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations When the German government reluctantly signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, Wilson travelled around the USA in a campaign to persuade the American people and Congress to support the Treaty and the League of Nations. However, in late September 1919 Wilson suffered a stroke and, although he remained in office, he was severely weakened and could not lead his Presidential campaign (for the 1920 presidential elections) with the necessary energy. In contrast, the isolationists, led by the Republicans, campaigned against the idea of the League. They presented it as an organisation that upheld British and French imperial power and was anti-German. In 1918, they were victorious in elections to Congress and their control in Congress led to a rejection of the Treaty of Versailles and therefore, a rejection of the League of Nations. The USA never joined. 1. Explain why the USA did not sign the Treaty of Versailles or join the League of Nations.

8. The 1920 Presidential election was also a defeat for the Democrats The people of the USA did not want to be held responsible for world peace Warren Harding, the Republican candidate, won the election in 1920 Harding promised a ‘return to normalcy’ – the USA would focus on internal political and economic matters and would withdraw from European affairs. Harding campaigned with the slogan ‘America First!’ What do you notice about the length of time he was in office? 2. Explain who won the Presidential election and what his key promises were.

9. What does Isolation mean? Warren Harding suggested three strands to isolation: No involvement in foreign affairs Limiting foreign trade 3 Limiting immigration

10. The United States shall avoid, at all costs, any war in Europe. No President will be allowed to take the American people into any conflict 1. Foreign Affairs

11. A tariff is a tax or duty put on imported goods. It is intended to make goods from abroad (imports) more expensive than goods produced in the home country. Therefore tariffs are a kind of economic protection for domestic agriculture and industry. In the 1920s, Harding’s Republican administration believed that the introduction of tariffs would lead to more economic growth in the USA. Therefore, it passed the Fordney – McCumber tariff in 1922, which placed duties on 28 goods coming into the USA. The tariffs raised taxes as high as 60% on wheat, corn and beef imports as well as chemicals and textiles. 2. Limiting foreign trade 3. Explain what a tariff is 4. Explain why the Republicans passed the Fordney-McCumber tariff in 1922. 5. Explain what the tariff did.

12. Can you think of any problems that this policy might cause? What would a foreign government think of these high taxes? If the Americans want to make it hard for us to sell our goods to them, then we’ll make it hard for them to sell their goods to us! 6. How did other countries react to the tariff and what problems did it cause? The Fordney – McCumber tariffs reflected the American mood of isolationism of the 1920s, but it was short-sighted - the tariff ultimately led to a decline in world trade, to the disadvantage of most nations.

13. Limit Foreign Trade: how would this policy make America rich? American people were only allowed to buy American goods This increased the production of many goods in America Henry Ford with the Model-T that became a symbol of US economic Isolation it took just over 1 hour to make 7. How did tariffs help the US economy?

14. 3. Limiting Immigration Between 1900 and 1913, 13 million immigrants came to the USA, prompting concern over the extent of immigration. Many of these new immigrants were from southern and eastern Europe: Italy, Poland, Greece and Russia. Many, not surprisingly, could not speak English on their arrival, so it was easy to accuse them of not being ‘true Americans’ and importing foreign ideas and values to America, such as socialism and communism. The post war depression led to immigration GHETTOS, dangerous areas with crime, alcoholism and prostitution. With the blame set at the immigrants door, widespread intolerance of immigration spread in the 1920s. In fact an increasingly powerful anti-immigration mood developed.

15. How did the American government reduce immigration? Feb 1917 Immigration Act – All foreign people had to take a literacy test – They had to be able to read a passage in English May 1921 emergency Quota Act – Limited immigration each year to 3% of the current population of that nationality in the USA, according to the 1910 census. 1924 National Origins Immigration Act –Limited immigration each year to 2% of the current population of that nationality in the USA, according to the 1890 census. Impact: Dramatic reduction in immigration 1929 only 150,000 immigrants were permitted to enter the USA The Act was geared to favour WASPs 8. What did the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924 say? 9. What was the impact of the Acts?

16. DateEvent Feb 1917Immigration Act – barred people over the age of 16 who were illiterate and anyone from Asia April 1917USA entered the First World War 1918Republicans won control of Congress in elections Sept 1919President Wilson fell ill 19 th March 1920Congress rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations 1920Warren Harding elected as President May 1921Emergency Quota Act limited immigration 1922Fordney – McCumber Tariff Act passed 1924National Origins Immigration Act

17. 100,000 Americans were killed in the First World War US involvement in the First World War divided its citizens Republican Warren Harding was elected President in 1920 Republicans won control of Congress in 1918 The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations were rejected by Congress Tariffs were imposed on foreign imports. Quotas restricted the numbers allowed to enter the USA, and immigration fell in the 1920s Many Americans wanted a ‘return to normalcy’ from 1919 onwards

18. In conclusion: What was the main impact of WW1 on America? Unscramble the words below to find a summary! Oollenmccyia gtrsnoe Iiioomssltan claiso runtse derecud mmgtirianoi Economically Stronger Social unrest Reduced Immigration Isolationism