1. Exploring American History
Unit VII- The Beginning of Modern America
Chapter 23 Section 2
America Prepares for War

2. Americans Prepare for War
The Big Idea
After entering World War I in 1917, Americans began the massive effort of preparing for war.
Main Ideas
The United States entered the war after repeated crises with Germany.
The United States mobilized for war by training troops and stepping up production of supplies.
Labor shortages created new wartime opportunities for women and other Americans.

3. Wilson’s Peace Efforts
In the election of 1916 his slogan had been “He kept us out of war”.
After 1916 Wilson still tried to keep the US out of the war.
He asked the European powers to declare a “Peace without victory.” But Germany announces unrestricted sub warfare.
Germany felt the US would be too late even if they entered the war.

4. The United States was initially a neutral country.
Main Idea 1: The United States entered the war after repeated crises with Germany.
The United States was initially a neutral country.
America continued to trade with European nations during the war.
Germany used U-boats to try and stop supply lines.
Lusitania

5. U.S. Neutrality
Aug. 4, 1914 Wilson proclaims the neutrality of the United States. U.S. needs to be the model for world peace. U.S. more interested in competing for markets than killing.
1915 Henry Ford charters a Peace Ship to Stockholm, Sweden conference January 1916
Oskar II- Peace ship

6. Ties that bind Allies Central Powers ancestors Irish Americans.
language.
U.S. Laws and customs
news
Propaganda-atrocity stories.
Kaiser Wilhelm
Trade
$2 billion in loans
Central Powers
ancestors
Irish Americans.
trading.

7. Problem of Neutral Rights
International Law and use of the Seas
Neutral nations.
Warring nations.
(Contraband)
give warning.
No court
“Freedom of the Seas”

8. The Problem of Neutral Rights
British Navy
Blockade
Contraband
All neutral ships would be searched
North Sea was a military area and put mines down.
All in violation of international law.
British would pay for all goods
German Submarines
1915- fleet of 27 subs
War zone-
Unrestricted sub warfare.
Wilson insists under International law
1915- Germany sinks Lusitania, then Arabic and Sussex passenger ships.

9. Congress Declares War
March 1916– a U-boat attacks a French passenger ship, the Sussex,.
February 1917– President Wilson breaks diplomatic relations with Germany
March 1917– Zimmermann Note
April 1917– Congress declared war on Germany.

10. Possible causes of U.S. entry
British Propaganda and Pro-British sentiment
Submarine Warfare
Munitions trade and loans to Great Britain
Zimmerman Note
Sinking of the Lusitania

11. The United States Enters World War I
Recall- What did most Americans think about involvement in the war?
Identify- State two ways the United States supported the war before sending troops?
Summarize- What two incidents caused Americans to turn against the Germans? Why?

12. Committee on Public Information -Propaganda
Main Idea 2: The United States mobilized for war by training troops and stepping up production of supplies.
Committee on Public Information -Propaganda
Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918.
Selective Service Act
Liberty bonds
War Industries Board and Food Administration

14. Government takes control- War Industries Board
The Overman Act of 1918 helped create the War Industries Board- Bernard M. Baruch in charge.
Job.
During the war production

15. Mobilization of Money Military Expenses
Expenses for army, navy, credit and materials for allies ran into billions.
$23 billion for the U.S. war effort and $10 billion for war loans to Allies.
Taxes and Loans to pay the expenses.
Increased taxes brought in $10.5 billion
The rest came from loans from the people through sale of Liberty Loans and a Victory Loan.

17. The American Army Discrimination
Raising an Army
On May 18, 1917, Congress passed the Selective Service Act, requiring men between 21 and 30 to register for a draft.
Lottery was the fairest way to choose.
24 million men between entered selective service. 3 million called into service
million- enlistee, draftees, and national guard in armed service.
Discrimination
African American soldiers were segregated and trained in separate camps.

18. Regulations to Supply U.S. and Allied Troops
Regulating Food
Congress passed the Lever Food and Fuel Control Act,
Herbert Hoover’s Food Administration
Victory Gardens, Meatless Mondays, Wheatless Wednesdays
Prohibition
Regulating Fuel
The Fuel Administration.
Harry Garfield.
daylight savings time
He promoted fuel conservation by encouraging Americans to go without gas and heat on certain days. Gasless Sundays, and Heatless Mondays.

20. Mobilizing for War
Recall- How did the American government assist the war effort?
Identify- What foods did some Americans give up one day a week?
Make Inferences- In what ways was discrimination present in the military?

21. labor shortage in the United States during the war
Main Idea 3: Labor shortages created new wartime opportunities for women and other Americans.
labor shortage in the United States during the war

22. Women’s War Efforts 1 million women joined the workforce.
About 25,000 women volunteered.
Other women protested.

23. Labor and the War
Mexican Americans and African Americans to move to northern industrial cities.
Union membership increased.
National War Labor Board was established to help management and workers reach agreements.

24. New Wartime Opportunities
Recall- What types of jobs did women perform in Europe during the war?
Identify Cause and Effect- Name three factors that caused a labor shortage in the United States?

25. New Wartime Opportunities
Identify- Name two groups of people that moved from the West and the South to meet the increased demand for labor in American industrial cities?
Evaluate- Do you think setting up the National War Labor Board was a good idea?