1. US INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR I
The Great War
US INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR I

2. Long Term Causes of World War i
M – Militarism : built up their military preparedness and bought/made many weapons – arms race A – Alliances : nations formed alliances, or partnerships, intended to protect them in case war broke out – secret alliance system I – Imperialism : countries competed with each other to gain colonies overseas N – Nationalism : pride in ones country or culture – extremist groups like Serbia’s Black Hand demand independence

3. Taking sides Allied Powers Central Powers Great Britain France Russia
Germany
Austria-Hungary
The Ottoman Empire

4. The Spark
When Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian, assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (heir to throne of Austria-Hungary), Austria declared war on Serbia.
Alliances pull over 30 nations into a World War
Russia backs up Serbia by mobilizing troops
Germany backs up Austria by declaring war on Russia and her ally France
Germany attacks France by marching through neutral Belgium
Great Britain backs up Belgium by declaring war on Germany
Colonies are called on to supply men for the fighting

5. OLD TACTICS + NEW TECHNOLGOY = SLAUGHTER
Trenches – No Mans Land
Cavalry charges
Bayonets
Machine guns
Barbed wire
Heavy Artillery
Airplanes
Flame throwers
Tanks
Poisoned gas

6. HOW DID THE US GET DRAWN INTO EUROPE’S WAR?
Before 1915 Americans were not affected by the war
Many Immigrants from the various warring countries hoped that the US would enter the war on the side of their homelands
American businesses sold war supplies to Great Britain (at HUGE profit!)

7. HOW DID THE US GET DRAWN INTO EUROPE’S WAR?
Great Britain set up a naval blockade in the English Channel and the Northern Sea
Germany used U-Boats to attack any ships they encountered, even neutral ships.
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare was the factor that most challenged US neutrality.
A German U-Boat sunk a British Luxury Ship on May 1, 1915, killing over 1200 people, 128 of those people were Americans – The Lusitania
Afterwards, Germany promised not to sink merchant ships without a clear warning
The Sussex Pledge

8. HOW DID THE US GET DRAWN INTO EUROPE’S WAR?
At the same time- Germany sent a secret message to Mexico asking them to enter the war and attack The United States
The Zimmerman Note
Promised Mexico the territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona if they won.
A revolution in Russia got rid of the Tsar (king) and Russia dropped out of the war.
How would this help Germany?

9. The War for Democracy (must fight to make the world safe for democracy)
In March 1917, three US ships were sunk in direct violation of the Sussex Pledge.
Pres. Wilson was persuaded to declared war because of attacks on merchant ships
On April 2, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany,
“We shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts, for democracy… [and to] bring peace and safety to all nations and to make the world itself at last free.”
Congress approved the request on April 6
All of the members of the Allied Powers were now democratic
All of the Central Powers were now Empires headed by Monarchs (Not Democratic)

10. The Americans are coming!
American transport ships were protected from U-Boats by convoy systems.
The civil service was created to draft enough men for service, however many volunteered to fight.
Americans went to training immediately to learn drills and discipline.
African Americans, Latinos and Women in the war
Over 42,000 African American Men fought
Latino men that wanted to fight had to learn English first
Women served as nurses and secretaries in the war department
Women that spoke French operated telephone switchboards during the war and were called “Hello Girls”
American soldiers landing in Europe gave the Allies the needed boost to break the stalemate and defeat Germany

11. The war at home The War Industries Board Great Migration
Organizes the shift from consumer goods to war goods
Make sure there are enough supplies and equipment for the military
Great Migration
Cutting off immigration from European countries opened up jobs for minorities
Movement of poor blacks from the South to industrial cities in the North

12. The war at home Selling the War Opposition Propaganda
War bonds – IOUs from the government to raise money for the war
Opposition
Conscience objectors – fighting is against their religion/morals – Alvin York
Anti-German sentiment – attacks and suspicion of German immigrants (censored speech and press; faced deportation if objected to the war)
Espionage Act  crime to interfere with the military draft
Sedition Act  crime to say anything disloyal or abusive about the government

13. An end to the fighting Germany was crippled by the war
No Food or supplies for German civilians
Food Riots
Revolution in Austria-Hungary
Unable to make soldiers fight.
Central Powers sought peace terms  ceasefire went into effect on November 11, 1918
World leaders have VERY different ideas of what post-war Europe should look like
France wanted security, Great Britain wanted Germany to pay for damages, President Wilson wanted to make sure a world war would never be fought again

14. The Treaty of Versailles
Wilson’s 14 Points – road map to a better world
No secret alliances, free navigation of the seas, demilitarize, people should be able to chose their own form of government (no empires)
A League of Nations should be set up to prevent future conflicts
European Leaders demand harsh restrictions be placed on Germany
Only some of Wilson’s 14 Points make it in
Many of the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles are direct causes of World War II

16. Rejected!
Wilson was in France advocating for his peace plan  it must be approved by the US Congress
Congress is divided
Some wanted to revise it  Especially the requirements to send troops into conflict and submit to League decisions
Some wanted to reject it  wanted no part in the League, might draw us into another world war
Some wanted to approve it  great step forward to cooperation between nations
**The Senate votes to reject the treaty three different times**
The US does not join the League of Nations

17. Impact on the League of Nations
No US membership = League of Nations is weak-sauce.