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WORLD WAR I Unit VD AP United States History
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Fundamental Question To what extent was the American public supportive of increased foreign involvement?
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Great War in Europe (1914-1919) Archduke and wife of Austria-Hungary assassinated by Serbian nationalist on June 28, 1914 Alliances and ultimatums dragged Europe into a destructive conflict
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American Neutrality and Opinion Wilson proclaims neutrality on August 4, 1914 Economic prosperity key to American progress and continue trade with both sides American ships seized by British and sunk by Germans violating freedom of the seas American loans toward Allies American public and American and British press favored Allies while depicting Central Powers as brutal aggressors Ethnic opinions based on nation’s allegiance Populists, Progressives, William Jennings Bryan, Socialists, Midwest, West, women, Jane Addams opposed becoming more involved in war
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Toward American Involvement German U-Boats Lusitania sunk on May 7, 1915 killing 128 Americans Sussex in March 1916 Wilson threatened sanctions and Germany promised to abide by freedom of the seas National Security League Preparedness by developing and increasing military during 1915-1917 Unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany Russian Revolution Zimmermann Telegram German request for Mexico alliance in return for lost land by U.S. Wilson requested declaration of war by Congress against Germany Given on April 6, 1917 by near unanimous vote
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American Home Front War agencies War Industries Board – prioritized production, limited use of resources, set prices Food Administration – rationing of food National War Labor Board – union concessions, no strikes Liberty Bonds Americans purchase government bonds to finance war Committee on Public Information Provide a pro-Allies perspective in the newspapers, arts, literature, theaters, music American Protective League Prejudice-based propaganda, especially against Germans Espionage Act of 1917 Prohibit interference in military and obstruct the draft Schenck v. United States upheld; “clear and present danger” Sedition Act of 1918 Prohibit criticism of U.S. government Selective Service Act of 1917 American Society Effects Women Filled in jobs as men fought war Blacks Segregated as troops Job opportunities Mexicans Job opportunities
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American Propaganda
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American War Front American Expeditionary Force (AEF) Inspired to preserve democracy and defend American honor Reality of trench warfare and war of attrition Naval convoys escort merchant ships to supply Allies Spring Offensive (1918) German offensive in Western theater Hundred Days Offensive (1918) Allied counteroffensive; leads to end of the fighting Armistice (11/11/1918) German capitulation 117,000 American casualties, most due to influenza Over 16 million total dead 1 million British, 1.6 million French, 3.3. million Russian, 2.4 million German, 2.9 million Ottoman, 1.5 Austrian-Hungarian 650,000 Americans die due to Spanish Flu/Influenza outbreak across the world
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Wilson and Peace “Peace without victory” and Fourteen Points Self-determination and League of Nations Treaty of Versailles German guilt, reparations League of Nations Treaty Ratification in U.S. Republican majority in Congress – 2/3 majority needed for ratification Henry Cabot Lodge and Republicans Irreconcilables and Reservationists Never ratified; separate peace couple of years later
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America After the War Economic turmoil Recession hit in 1919 and more severely in 1920-1921 Overproduction, increased labor force, adjustment from war production to peace production, labor strife/unions, Fed and interest rates First Red Scare Fueled by Russian Revolution and labor strikes Targets included socialists, communists, anarchists, Wobblies 1919 Bombings Newspapers and government spearheaded raids and deportations, but public soon detested actions as violations of civil liberties Strikes Led to anti-union sentiment as national security and welfare threatened by strikes Race riots Increased competition led to increased racism in Northern cities and South
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