1. America and the Great War

2. World War I
Killed?

3. World War I
Killed: 15,000,000 (yes, that 15 Million, folks)

4. World War I 1914-1918 Killed: 15,000,000 (yes, that 15 Million, folks)
Major nations in Europe:
Central Powers – Germany, Austria, ?Italy?
Allies – England, France, Russia
Casualties: 39 Million

5. Causes?
Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism

6. Balance of Power
1815 – Holy Alliance (Prussia, Austria - Hungary, Russia)
Bismarck tried to renew w/Germany; Russia & Austria Hungary couldn’t agree on Balkans.
Russia sided with England & France. Italy w/ Germany.

7. Archduke Ferdinand (Austria) assassinated in Bosnia (by a Serb).

8. Archduke Ferdinand (Austria) assassinated in Bosnia (by a Serb).
Austria-Hungary made impossible demands on Serbia – then declared War (with German support).

9. Archduke Ferdinand (Austria) assassinated in Bosnia (by a Serb).
Austria-Hungary made impossible demands on Serbia – then declared War (with German support).
Russia declared war on Austria.

10. Archduke Ferdinand (Austria) assassinated in Bosnia (by a Serb).
Austria-Hungary made impossible demands on Serbia – then declared War (with German support).
Russia declared war on Austria. Germans declared war on Russia;

11. Archduke Ferdinand (Austria) assassinated in Bosnia (by a Serb).
Austria-Hungary made impossible demands on Serbia – then declared War (with German support).
Russia declared war on Austria. Germans declared war on Russia; France and England declared war to help their allies in Russia.

12. WWI

13. America at War

14. America at War Stay Neutral! War - Americans don’t want it in 1916.
Were technically neutral, but favored England.
War - Americans don’t want it in 1916.
Wilson runs on slogan “He kept us out of war.”
Russians back out of war (Communists) 1917

15. Germans switch tactics:
Unrestricted submarine Warfare
Figure Americans wont be a threat, even if they are drawn into the war.

16. Germans switch tactics:
Unrestricted submarine Warfare
Figure Americans wont be a threat, even if they are drawn into the war.
Move most forces to Western Front

17. Prepared for war? Arsenal of Democracy? Our soldiers fought with…
Unpreparedness….

18. Choosing a Commander
John J. “Black Jack” Pershing

19. Training for War How should the regular Army be used?
The worst shortage was….
The answer was…

20. The Great controversy…
The dispute was over….
French view…
British view…

21. The Great controversy…
The dispute was over….
French view…
British view…
Lloyd George believes…
Allies are…
American army is…

22. The Great controversy…
The dispute was over….
French view…
British view…
Lloyd George believes…
Allies are…
American army is…
Wilson orders Pershing…

23. The Great controversy…
The dispute was over….
French view…
British view…
Lloyd George believes…
Allies are…
American army is…
Wilson orders Pershing…
Americans view themselves as…

24. 1918 Spring Offensive Desperation… German’s attack West
Russians had given up
Desperation…

25. 1918 Spring Offensive Desperation… In mid July Allies…
German’s attack West
Russians had given up
Desperation…
In mid July Allies…
Hundred Days offensive
Americans counter attack with Meuse Argonne Campaign with their “own” army.
Impact of campaign…

26. Sudden Victory Wilson’s conditions for peace….
Germans surrender believing….

27. Historiographical Controversy
How important was the US to Allied Victory?
My argument….
Morale
Military weight
Raw Materials

28. War Morale
1916, The Deserter (British)