1. World War I
US History

2. Allies v. Central Powers

3. Reading One: Wilson 8/19/1914
Audience: Who is he speaking to? Context: When is Wilson giving this speech? Purpose: In Wilson’s first speech, does he believe that the US should enter WWI? Why do you think he would take that viewpoint?

4. US Exports to Warring Nations 1914 to 1916
Economic Interests
US Exports to Warring Nations 1914 to 1916
NATION
1914
1915
1916
G. Britain
$594,271,863
$911,794,954
$1,526,685,102
France
$159,818,924
$369,397,170
$628,851,988
Germany
$344, 794,276
$28,863,354
$288,899
Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant

5. Lusitania

6. Zimmerman Note
Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico against the United States.
Offered to help Mexico regain the territories lost to United States
The telegram was intercepted by the British
Mexico declined the offer

7. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany announced that as of January 31, 1917, they would start submarine warfare against any ships headed to Allied ports including American ships. Over 2000 Allied and neutral ships were sunk in 1917.

8. Reading Two: Wilson 4/2/1917
Context: What has changed since the first speech? Give 2-3 specific examples
Purpose:
Does he believe the US should enter the war? Why?
What does he accuse Germany of doing?
Why do you think he added the last part? How would this make you feel as an American?
Should the US have joined World War I based on what you have learned? Be sure to explain why with facts.

9. Declaration of War – April 1917

10. Reading Three: Historian Howard Zinn, 1995
1. Why does Zinn disagree with Wilson’s argument?
2. What does Zinn argue are the real reasons for the US entering World War I?
What evidence does he present?
3. Do you find Zinn’s argument convincing?

11. Summary # 1 - Causes of WWI
Who/What/Where/Why/When
Details to include:
Allies (countries) v. Central Powers (countries)
US Neutrality – Why?
Economic Policy
German Naval Policy
Zimmerman Note
US Declaration of War

12. The Sedition Act
Whoever, when the United States is at war, shall willfully utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States or the Constitution of the United States, or the military or naval forces of the United States, or the flag of the United States, or the uniform of the Army or Navy of the United States or shall willfully utter, print, write, or publish any language intended to incite, provoke, or encourage resistance to the United States shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or the imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both.

13. Limits on Civil Liberties
Sedition Act – prohibited speech critical of the government Espionage Act –any actions that interfere with foreign relations are illegal

14. Document Analysis Document A – Debs Document B - Schenck
Who is the audience?
What was happening at the time of the speech?
What is the main message of the speech?
What is one piece of evidence to support the main message?
What do you think happened to each person?

15. Schenck v. US (1919) Background: Legal Question(s): Legal Decision:
Schenck was convicted for violating the Espionage Act of He was guilty of handing out anti-draft literature.
Legal Question(s):
Were Schenck’s 1st Amendment freedom of speech rights violated?
Legal Decision:
No (9-0)
Impact:
In times of “clear and present danger” there may be limits to freedom of speech.

16. Supreme Court opinion by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr
Supreme Court opinion by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., March 3, 1919.
The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done. The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting “Fire!” in a theatre and causing a panic The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent When a nation is at war many things that might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured so long as men fight and that no Court could regard them as protected by any constitutional right.

17. Discussion Questions Do you think Debs and Schenck broke the law?
Were critics of the war anti-American?

18. Great Migration

19. Article # 2 – Impact of WWI
Who/What/Where/Why/When
Details to include:
Anti-German Hysteria
Suspension of Civil Liberties
Schenck v. US
Great Migration

20. League of Nations Idealism vs. Realism

21. Wilson’s Fourteen Points
I. No secret treaties
II. Freedom of the seas
III. Free trade
IV. Armament reductions
V. Readjustment of colonial claims
VI – XIII. Self Determination of Nations
XIV. League of Nations

22. Treaty of Versailles – ends WWI
Punishes Germany – takes away land, military, colonies; forces Germans to pay war reparations
Includes League of Nations (international peace keeping organization)

23. Document Analysis Document A – Wilson Document B - Lodge
Why are they giving the speech?
What was happening at the time of the speech?
What is the speaker’s tone? (Support it with a quote).
What is their best argument? (Support it with a quote).

24. Point of View?

25. Article # 3 – Results of WWI
Who/What/Where/Why/When
Details to include:
14 Points
Treaty of Versailles
League of Nations
Opposition to Treaty of Versailles
Results of Treaty Votes

26. Post WWI Reactions Red Summer (Video) Red Scare (Reading)
Xenophobia (define)