1. Unit VIID AP United States History
World War I
Unit VIID
AP United States History

2. Fundamental Question
To what extent was the American public supportive of increased foreign involvement?

3. Great War in Europe ( )
Archduke and wife of Austria-Hungary assassinated by Serbian nationalist on June 28, 1914
Alliances and ultimatums dragged Europe into a destructive conflict

4. The Path to War American Neutrality German U-Boats
Isolationists
Mostly pro-Allies policies and public opinion
German U-Boats
Lusitania sunk on May 7, 1915 killing 128 Americans
Sussex Pledge
Sussex in March 1916
Wilson threatened sanctions and Germany promised to abide by freedom of the seas
German unrestricted submarine warfare
Russian Revolution (1917)
Zimmermann Telegram (1917)
German request for Mexico alliance in return for lost land by U.S.
United States declares war on April 6, 1917

5. American Domestic War Effort
War Agencies
War Industries Board
Mass production, standardization, price and supply controls
National War Labor Board
Representatives from labor and business arbitrated labor disputes to prevent disruptions
Food Administration
Committee on Public Information
War propaganda agency
Liberty Bonds
Financial support for American war effort
Portrayed as an act of patriotic duty

6. American Propaganda

7. American Domestic Insecurity
Espionage Act of 1917
Prohibition of:
Interfere in military operations
Interfere in military recruitment
Support of U.S. enemies
Promote insubordination
Schenk v. United States (1919)
“Clear and present danger”
Sedition Act of 1918
In times of war:
Prohibit disloyal, profane, scurrilous, abusive language against U.S. government, military, and flag

8. Americans Over There Selective Service Act of 1917
Conscription of 21-31
18-45 by 1918
American Expeditionary Force (AEF)
Inspired to preserve democracy and defend American honor
General John J. Pershing
War Events
Spring Offensive (1918)
Hundred Days Offensive (1918)
Armistice (11/11/1918)
German capitulation
Casualties
117,000 Americans
1 million British,
1.6 million French,
3.3. million Russian,
2.4 million German,
2.9 million Ottoman,
1.5 million Austrian-Hungarian

9. Wilson and Peace Fourteen Points Treaty of Versailles
“peace without victory”
Self-determination
League of Nations
Treaty of Versailles
German guilt, reparations
Wilson and Senate Treaty Ratification
Senate Opposition
Irreconcilables
Strongly opposed the Treaty of Versailles
Reservationists
Henry Cabot Lodge
Amendments to Treaty to limit American involvement
Wilson’s Public Campaign
Wilson debilitated by a stroke from exhaustion
Senate rejects Treaty and League of Nations

10. Postwar America Labor Unions and Strikes
Union Membership
AFL supported WWI
AFL reached 4 million by 1920
IWW opposed WWI
Lost membership
Strikes of 1919
Seattle General Strike
Boston Police Strike
Steel Strike
Coal Strike
Anti-union sentiment increases
Association with radicals

11. Postwar America Race Riots
Red Summer of 1919
Three dozen cities experienced race riots
Economic competition and First Red Scare
Chicago (July-August)
Blacks react to stoning of young man
Omaha (September)
Brutal lynching of William Brown

12. Postwar America First Red Scare
Causes
War Propaganda
Russian Revolution
Strikes and Riots
Targets
Anarchists, Bolsheviks, Socialists, Communists, Wobblies
1919 Bombings
Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer
Palmer Raids
Deportations