1. US INVOLVEMENT IN WWI

2. Causes of American Involvement
1. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
2. British propaganda
3. Zimmerman Telegraph
4. Russian Revolution

3. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany created new submarine called the ”U-Boat”
British blockaded North Sea, so Germany gave a “sink on sight” order to any ship approaching Britain
May 7th, 1915-British passenger liner the “Lusitania” sunk off the coast of Ireland
Killed 128 Americans

4. The Lusitania

5. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Aug. 1915
The Arabic is sunk by the Germans
2 Americans are killed

6. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
March 1916
The Sussex, an unarmed passenger ship is sunk
America threatens to cut off diplomatic relations
Sussex pledge- no passenger or merchant ships would be sunk without warning

7. British Propaganda
The British sent news of the war to US newspapers everyday
Full of Propaganda
Led the American public to be sympathetic toward the British

8. British Propaganda

9. British Propaganda

10. British Propaganda

11. British Propaganda

12. British Propaganda

13. Zimmerman Telegram
March 1917-British authorities gave to the US a telegram that was supposedly sent to Mexico from Germany
It had been decoded by the British
It asked Mexico to declare war on the US and they would be supported by Germany

14. Russian Revolution
March 1917-Russia left WWI due to a Revolution in their own country
Germany now would concentrate totally on the Western Front
Pleas from Great Britain and France to join the war effort

15. Declaration of War
April 2, 1917-Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany
“The World must be made safe for Democracy”
April 6th-Congress votes and declares war

16. Mobilization Europe needed munitions and supplies-immediate action
Encouraged people to eat less meat and bread
Invented Daylight Savings to conserve fuel

17. Mobilization Convinced Americans to put savings into “Liberty Bonds”
Increased income tax, business tax, and excise tax

18. US Propaganda
Made heroes out of soldiers and villains out of the Germans
Attacked and gave new names to anything that sounded German

19. US Propaganda

20. US Propaganda

21. Civil Liberties
Espionage Act of 1917-imprisoned for 20 year if caught inciting a riot or obstructing the draft
Sedition Act of 1918-Prohibited from making disloyal remarks
Schneck v. US (1919)-Restriction of civil liberties is ok if it demonstrates a “clear and present danger” to public safety

22. Minorities
Women-Entered the workforce in mass, took the jobs of soldiers fighting in Europe
Mexicans-immigrating in mass to get agricultural work in the southwest
African-Americans-400,000 volunteered for the armed services, served in non-combat roles, and in segregated units

23. Armed Forces Thousands volunteered
Selective Service Act (1917)-2.8 million drafted by lottery
American Expeditionary Force (AEF) led by General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing

24. Casualties 49,000-Combat Deaths 64,000-Died from Disease
Worldwide Flu Epidemic

25. Armistice November 11, 1918 at 11am
“On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour”
Memorialized-Veterans Day
Germany surrendered their arms, Navy, and occupied territory

26. Wilson’s Plan Called the 14 points Points 1-5-Remove the Causes of War
Freedom of Seas
Prohibit secret treaties
Reduce Arms
Reduce colonies
Self-Determination-each person allowed to move to country of their nationality

27. Wilson’s Plan Points 6-13-Boundary Changes Point 14-League of Nations
Most valued-heart of peace plan
Peace association-solve problems by diplomatic means instead of war

28. Treaty of Versailles January 1919-Paris Big Four Woodrow Wilson-US
David Lloyd George-Great Britain
Georges Clemenceau-France
Vittorio Orlando-Italy

29. Wilson

30. Lloyd George

31. Clemenceau

32. Orlando

33. Treaty of Versailles
Wilson wanted this to be the “war to end all wars”
Others wanted revenge
Months of arguing
Wilson compromised on all of his 14 points except one

34. Treaty of Versailles Provisions
1. Germany was disarmed, stripped of colonies, forced to admit guilt, occupation of Rhineland, and had to pay reparations (war debt) to England and France
2. Many boundary changes
3. Established a League of Nations

35. Boundary Changes

36. Weakness of Treaty Central Powers not invited
Russia not invited-took land away
Germany blamed
Led to three wars
WWII
Cold War
Vietnam War

37. US Ratification Wilson returns with treaty
Has to get 2/3 vote in Senate
Election of 1918-Majority of Republicans in both houses
Senate-raised objections to treaty especially League of Nations-against the Monroe Doctrine

38. US Ratification Opponents divided into two groups
Irreconcilables-would not accept the treaty
Reservationists-Would accept the treaty if reservations placed on League of Nations
Henry Cabot Lodge leader of reservationists

39. US Ratification Wilson against any reservations
Tries to rally public support by a speaking tour in the west
Sept. 25th, 1919-collapsed while speaking, returned to Washington and suffered a massive stroke
Never recovered
Many believe his wife was running the country
Led to the 25th Amendment-Presidential handicap

40. US Rejection of Treaty Senate voted twice on treaty
Rejected both times
1921-US signed separate peace treaty with Germany
Never ratified the Treaty of Versailles or joined the League of Nations