1. America in World War I

2. America Declares “Neutrality”
America neutral in European conflict
Most Americans supported the Allies
American business took advantage of neutrality
Traded with both sides
Loaned Allies $2B, thus we needed Allies to win
Germans and Irish supported the Central Powers
The country’s official neutrality allowed American businesses to trade with both sides
Business interests heavily leaned toward the Allies.
US banks heavily loaned money to the Allies over $2 billion
As a result we needed the Allies to win, so we would be repaid

3. Sinking of the Lusitania
German submarine sinks British passage liner Lusitania; 128 Americans were killed
Sussex Ultimatum: Germany was to cease its attacks on ships without warning
Agrees, then reneges (negates the purpose of a submarine!)
Wilson runs for reelection on the slogans “He kept us out of war” & “America First.”
Sinking of the Lusitania
German wages “unrestricted submarine warfare” on all ships in the waters around Britain.
Sinks the British passage liner, Lusitania; 128 Americans were killed
Sussex Ultimatum: Germany was to cease its attacks on ships without warning
Agrees, then reneges (negates the purpose of a submarine!)
Wilson runs for reelection on the slogan “He kept us out of war.”

4. Telegram intercepted by the British and made public
Zimmerman Telegram
Proposed a German- Mexican alliance against the U.S. if they joined the war: Mexico keeps America busy; gets back Southwest
Telegram intercepted by the British and made public
The American public demanded war
Zimmerman Telegram
Oh no, you DI-N’T!
In January of 1917, German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman sent a confidential, encoded telegram intended to be relayed by the German ambassador in the U.S. to the German ambassador in Mexico. The telegram outlined a plan for a proposed alliance between Mexico and Germany against the United States. In return for allying themselves with Germany, Zimmerman promised to help Mexico “…reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.” The British, however, intercepted the message before it reached Count von Bernstoff, the German ambassador in Washington, D.C. Hoping to convince the Americans to abandon neutrality and enter the war as an ally, the British presented the telegraph to President Woodrow Wilson on February 24; soon afterwards, the contents of the telegram became public. As a result, more and more Americans began to clamor for their country to enter the war.

5. America Declares War
“The world must be made safe for democracy… [The United States has] no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion… We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind… It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But… we shall fight for the [idea] which we have always carried nearest in our hearts – for democracy.”
--Woodrow Wilson’s War Speech in Congress, April 2,1917
“My message today was a message of death for our young men. How strange it seems to applaud that.”

6. America Declares War
Jeannette Rankin: The first U.S. Congresswoman; voted against BOTH World Wars.
Cited Washington’s Farewell Address as her justification

7. War on the Home Front

8. New York City men wait to register for the draft
U.S. needed massive military force QUICKLY!
Draft implemented (1917)
First since Civil War; no longer allowed to purchase an exemption
Very little training – no time!
24 million registered; 6.4m actually called into service
New York City men wait to register for the draft

9. America on the Move
The Great Migration – Millions of African Americans moved to Northern industrial cities to fill jobs left by men who left for war
Influx of Mexican immigrants into Southwest to fill agricultural jobs
Vastly changed demographics, leading to racial tension

10. War Time Labor
War Industries Board: Created to coordinate production of materials for the war effort
National War Labor Board: Created to settle labor disputes and keep people on the job
Supported by AFL – patriotic duty, not supported by IWW (Wobblies) – detrimental to future labor efforts

11. Selling the War
Britain began selling Americans on the idea of war long before its actual involvement.
Committee on Public Information: Wartime propaganda organization created to sell the war; headed by George Creel.
“Four minute men” – gave patriotic speeches
Propaganda posters
Pamphlets outlining ideals and goals of war
Propaganda films
Patriotic traveling bands
Britain began selling Americans on the idea of war long before its actual involvement.
Britain cut the transatlantic telegraph cable from Europe to the U.S., limiting war news to mainly British reports.
Used propaganda posters to influence opinion
Leaked stories depicting numerous German war atrocities, e.g. Germans used corpses to make fertilizer and soap.

12. American
Propaganda

13. “Over There”
Johnnie get your gun, get you gun, get your gun, Take it on the run, on the run, on the run, Hear them calling you and me; Every son of Liberty Hurry right away, no delay, go today, Make your daddy glad to have had such a lad Tell your sweetheart not to pine, To be proud her boy's in line. Chorus: Over There, Over There Send the word, send the word, Over There That the Yanks are coming, The Yanks are coming, The drums rum tumming everywhere So prepare, Say a Prayer Send the word, Send the word to beware We'll be over, we're coming over. And we won't be back till it's over over there! Johnnie get your gun, get you gun, get your gun, Johnnie show the Hun, you're a Son-of-a-Gun, Hoist the flag and let her fly Like true heros do or die Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit, Soldiers to the ranks from the towns and the tanks, Make your Mother proud of you and to Liberty be true.

14. Supporting Our Boys “Over There”
Women
African Americans
War dogs
Children
Women served as nurses, volunteered with Red Cross relief efforts, or helped with war production
Blacks served in segregated units, mostly as support staff
Military dogs were highly important to the war effort
Children collected items for the war effort

15. Food Administration Headed by Herbert Hoover Conservation of food
Meatless Mondays, Wheat-less Wednesdays
Victory gardens
Voluntary; incredibly popular

16. Conservation of oil, coal, and electricity
Fuel Administration
Conservation of oil, coal, and electricity
Lightless Nights, Heatless Tuesdays
Instituted Daylight Saving Time
Not very popular

17. Eliminating Dissent
German-Americans were largely loyal to the United States, but were branded as spies and saboteurs.
German names were re- branded to more “patriotic” names.

18. Eliminating Dissent Espionage Act: Prosecuted “spies”
Sedition Act: Prosecuted those who spoke out against the war, including Eugene V. Debs
Espionage Act: sought to prosecute “spies”
1,900 prosecutions followed, including Eugene V. Debs, the Socialist leader
Sedition Act: sought to prosecute anyone engaging in “seditious” activity
Essentially negated the first amendment
Trading With the Enemy Act: sought to prosecute those who traded with the Central Powers during wartime
Also imprisoned those who communicated with the enemy.

19. Protecting Liberties? ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union
Created to protect the basic rights of Americans; used legal system to protect citizens and release the unrightfully imprisoned
Schenck v. United States: the Supreme Court invented the famous "clear and present danger" test to determine when a state could limit an individual's right to free speech

20. Epidemic!
Influenza Pandemic of 1918: Deadliest virus in history, killing million people (3-5% of the world’s population)
Spread rapidly due to close quarters during the war
Killed soldiers and civilians alike; deadliest for young, normally healthy adults
Influenza Pandemic of 1918: Deadliest virus in history, killing million people (3-5% of the world’s population)
Unclear origins, but spread rapidly due to close quarters during the war
Unworthy nickname of the Spanish Flu
The influenza epidemic killed soldiers and civilians alike; deadliest for young, normally healthy adults.

21. Home Front Propaganda Common Objectives: Recruitment Financing the War
Eliminating Dissent
Conservation of Resources
Home-Front Support