1. Unit 9
WWI

2. Causes of WWI Nationalism Assassination of Imperialism
Francis Ferdinand
Imperialism
Economic Rivalries
Alliance System
(Triple Alliance & Triple Entente)
Militarism

3. Fighting in Europe Trench Warfare
Both sides dug trenches that extended for hundreds of miles.
Naval Blockade
Britain wanted to starve Germany into submission, and Germany tried to prevent Allied shipments to Britain
Airplanes
Started out scouting enemy positions, then bombed the enemy positions, then both sides engaged in aerial “dogfights”

4. America goes to War Cultural Ties
Most Americans favored and could trace their ancestry to the Allied Powers
Propaganda
Both sides used propaganda to gain support for the war, but Americans were angry when Germany invaded neutral Belgium
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany began sinking any ships that entered British waters including the Lusitania, killing 128 Americans
Zimmerman Telegram
German Arthur Zimmerman sent a secret telegram to Mexico asking them to attack the United States

5. America at War Mobilization
The United States sent one million soldiers to Europe under the command of General Pershing (American Expeditionary Force)
Selective Service Act
This was required military service based on a draft of registered men. Eventually 3 million men were drafted, another 2 million volunteered.
Some chose not to serve due to religious concerns (conscientious objectors)
Committee of Public Information
George Creel was appointed to run it, and they created posters, pamphlets, billboards, newspaper articles , movies, and the 4 minute men gave speeches

6. War-Time Economy War Industries Board
Led by Bernard Baruch, they coordinated America’s wartime manufacturing
Food Administration
Led by Herbert Hoover, they oversaw the production and distribution of America’s food. Asked citizens to voluntarily eat less wheat and meat.
Fuel Administration
Regulated America’s coal and gasoline supply
War Labor Board
They mediated labor disputes between owners and workers so manufacturing would continue throughout the war
Paying for the War
Increase of income taxes, liberty bonds, and loans

7. Civil Rights Women and Minorities
Espionage Act – created procedures for detecting and imprisoning spies
Sedition Act – made it a crime to use “disloyal” language toward the government, flag, or constitution
The government prosecuted over 2000 people under these acts, including Eugene Debs and Charles Schenck
Women and Minorities
Many women joined the labor force, joined the military, or fought for suffrage
African Americans still faced segregation at home and in the military. Thousands left the south to move north and fill manufacturing jobs (Great Migration)

8. Victory
Arriving in spring 1917, the U.S. brought much needed fresh troops, supplies, and weapons. The American Expeditionary Force gave the Allies superiority
The Germans surrendered 11/11/1918 signing the armistice
Over 117,000 Americans were killed in just a year and a half
Peace
Wilson proposed his 14 points peace plan. England and France rejected most of them, but agreed to the League of Nations
Eventually the Treaty of Versailles was signed ending the war. Germany was required to accept much of the blame, pay reparations to the Allies, give up territory to France and Poland, and significantly reduce their military