1. Texas During World War 1 Essential Question:
Explain the political, economic, and social impact of World War 1 upon Texas

2. How did WWI start? Assassination:
A leading cause of the great war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
Mutual defense alliances:
-Russia and Serbia
-Germany and Austria-Hungary
-France and Russia
-Britain and France and Belgium
-Japan and Britain
Nationalism:
Much of the origin of the war was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria-Hungary but instead be part of Serbia.
Militarism
As the world entered the 20th century, an arms race had begun. By 1914, Germany had the greatest increase in military buildup. Great Britain and Germany both greatly increased their navies in this time period.
Imperialism:
Before World War 1, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention (argument) amongst the European countries. This was especially true because of the raw materials these areas could provide. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I.

3. World War I
1914 – World War I began, but the U.S. remained neutral (stayed out of the war).
German submarines sank ship (the British ocean liner Lusitania) carrying American and British passengers. Nearly 1200 people died; the event angered the U.S. and becomes one of the main reasons why we entered the war.

4. The Zimmermann Telegram
In January 1917, German diplomat, Arthur Zimmermann, sent a secret-code telegram to Mexico.
In telegram, Germany promised to help Mexico regain its “lost territories” of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico in exchange for its support.
The U.S. intercepts the message and is furious!
In April, President Woodrow Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany!

7. Texas and World War I
About 200,000 U.S. troops are Texans. 25% are African Americans.
5,000 Texans die in the “Great War”.
500 women serve as aides/nurses
Texas is excellent for training troops because of wide open spaces and many connecting railroad networks.
Training camps include:
Kelly Field in San Antonio – world’s largest
flight training school
Camp Logan near Houston
Other camps near Waco, San Antonio, and Ft. Worth

8. Texas Soldiers in the War
The War caused significant changes for Texas soldiers.
many got health and dental care for the first time.
many had never before traveled outside of Texas.
many received more education and specialized training.

9. Texans Support the War at Home
Texans encouraged to “Do your bit” at home to support troops by:
buying war bonds and liberty loans
buying war stamps
giving to and volunteering for the Red Cross
ration food/supplies

10. Wartime Prosperity in Texas
Businesses, industries, farmers, and ranchers prospered during the War because they produced many things for the troops.
Items included:
cotton and wool = tents, uniforms
leather = boots
cattle meat/grain = food supplies
oil industry = gas, lubricants for machinery
lumber industry = shipping crates, splints, etc.

11. Results of WWI -Deaths: 116,526 (U.S.)
-The Allied Powers (U.S., Britain, France, Italy, Japan) defeated the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire) after four long years of fighting ( ).
-A League of Nations was formed to help prevent a future world war (which failed). The United Nations after WWII succeeded.
-Independent republics of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Turkey were formed.
-The Communist Bolsheviks took power in Russia in 1917 and formed the Soviet Union.

12. "The Americans who went to Europe to die are a unique breed
"The Americans who went to Europe to die are a unique breed.... (They) crossed the seas to a foreign land to fight for a cause which they did not pretend was peculiarly their own, which they knew was the cause of humanity and mankind. These Americans gave the greatest of all gifts, the gift of life and the gift of spirit."
- Woodrow Wilson President of the United States 1913 to 1921

13. Post-War Changes

14. The KKK Rises Politically
The Ku Klux Klan was a secret anti-minority organization formed during Reconstruction; very resistant to ongoing changes in society
Used violence against victims (African Americans, Jews, Catholics)
1920s – very influential in Texas politics (Democrats); accepted socially
Many Texans fed up with Klan’s violence and elected anti-Klan Miriam “Ma” Ferguson as Governor. First woman to be elected Governor in Texas! Dan Moody (also anti-Klan) followed as Governor.

15. KKK Washington D.C. March in 1925

17. Urban Texas
1920s - Texas changed from a rural, agricultural state to an urban one in which people had more leisure time.
Most homes now had:
* electricity, phone service
* refrigerators, electric appliances
* washing machines, irons, vacuums
Cities experienced population boom

19. Houston 1928 – looking Northwest

20. Houston – Main Street @ Texas Avenue – late 1920s

21. San Jacinto High School vs. Reagan High School Football Game - 1928

22. Women and Equality
1920s – living, working conditions improved for most white women in Texas; more women joined the workforce.
Limited jobs, opportunities remained for African and Mexican American women.
More women entered politics now. Jane McCallum held powerful posts in Democratic Party and was Texas Secretary of State under 2 governors.

23. 20th Century Immigration
Generally, most immigrants came to Texas for:
Job opportunities
Education (college, university)
Eastern Europeans:
Jobs
Escape religious persecution
Settled in same locations as earlier Europeans, major urban areas

24. 20th Century Immigration
Latin Americans
Jobs, escape economic depression/poor economies
Escape political revolutions
Settled in major urban areas
The workforce grew in Texas because of many new jobs that were created; this was a major economic factor that led to the urbanization of Texas.

25. Jobs and Occupations in 20th Century Texas
Cattle ranching, farming, agricultural jobs decreased because of new technologies and changing demands of populations.
Oil and gas industry jobs increased because of changes/growth in transportation and products made from petroleum. Most products today are made from a byproduct of petroleum.

26. Jobs and Occupations in 20th Century Texas
More people migrated from rural to urban areas for jobs in oil and gas industry.
Service industry jobs increased because more people were living in urban areas.