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THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918. The Beginning of the Great War 

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Presentation on theme: "THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918. The Beginning of the Great War "— Presentation transcript:

1 THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918

2 The Beginning of the Great War  http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/542430 http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/542430

3 American Neutrality  Foreign policy tradition  Trading rights

4 Freedom of the seas?  Great Britain declares naval blockade against Germany, seizing all ships running the blockade America Too! Wilson’s Response

5 German Response  The submarine is introduced into WWI as Germany announces its own blockade, threatening to sink on site any ships near the British Isles

6 Sinking of the Lusitania  British “passenger” liner, the Lusitania, is sunk on May 7, 1915  128 Americans drown

7 How Neutral? (mo money mo problems)  American business interests  J.P. Morgan’s loans to Britain and France  4x trade with Allies, 0 trade with Germany

8 But, still…  “We must be impartial in thought, as well as action.”  America was neither  Majority of native-born Americans supported Britain and France  British propaganda influenced Americans

9 So, Just in Case  National Security League organized soon after European war began.  Roosevelt and other Republicans recognized inadequate Army and Navy  “Preparedness”  Initially against preparedness, Wilson got the National Defense Act passed in June 1916

10 Any Objections?  Americans in the Midwest and West feared “preparedness” would lead us America to war  Populists, Progressives, Socialists, and Women Suffragists actively campaigned against involvement

11 “He kept us out of war”  Roosevelt declines the Progressive Party’s nomination, rejoins the Republicans.  Republicans nominate Charles Evans Hughes  http://www.270towin.com/ http://www.270towin.com/

12 Wilson Declares War Woodrow Wilson declared war only one month after being sworn into office because of A. SubmarinesB. Business Interests C. Russian RevolutionD. National Security League

13 Why? How?  Wilson’s Peace Without Victory Speech- Jan.1917  Unrestricted Submarine Warfare- Jan. 1917  The Zimmermann Telegram- Jan. 1917 (US receives in late Feb. 1917 from Britain)  Wilson’s Second Inaugural Address- March 1917  U.S. declares war on Germany- April 6, 1917

14 Wilson’s Peace Without Victory Speech- Jan.1917  Group 1

15 Unrestricted Submarine Warfare- Jan. 1917  Group 2

16 The Zimmermann Telegram  Jan. 1917 (US receives in late Feb. 1917 from Britain)  Group 3

17 Wilson’s Second Inaugural Address- March 1917  Group 4

18 U.S. declares war on Germany- April 6, 1917  Group 5

19 America at War  Why did the US have a difficult time staying out of World War I?  In a short essay, respond to the following prompt. Make sure to include events from 1914 up to the immediate causes.

20 Fighting the War  Germany was preparing a knockout blow so the US had to mobilize quickly.  War Industries Board set production priorities and set controls over raw materials and prices.  Food Administration, led by Herbert Hoover.  Fuel Administration to save coal. Daylight savings time.

21 Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all  Government raised $33 billion in two years through loans, taxes, and bonds.

22 The Armed Forces  Selective Service Act of 1917 called 2.8 million men to serve. 4.7 million total Americans served.  Segregation applied to the army, with 400,000 African American soldiers. Only a few became officers.

23 Public Opinion  Propaganda agency, Committee on Public Information, led by George Creel

24 Espionage and Sedition Acts  Espionage Act of 1917- 20 years in prison for inciting rebellion in armed forces or obstructing the draft  Sedition Act of 1918- no disloyal or abusive remarks about US government  2,000 prosecuted, half were jailed  Schenck v. United States

25 What’s Going on at Home?  Women enter the workforce  Mexican immigration  African American migration north

26 Fighting the War  Armed escorts for merchant ships to Britain  American Expeditionary Force commanded by General John J. Pershing  US troops filled in French and British lines, then took control of the Western front  American victory at Belleau Wood, Meuse River through the Argonne Forest

27 Armistice Day  November 11, 1918  Germany signed armistice to surrender arms, give up much of their navy, and evacuate occupied territory

28 “Peace Without Victory”  Wilson’s Fourteen Points  Recognition of freedom of the seas  End of secret treaties  Reduction of national armaments  “impartial adjustment of all colonial claims”  Self-determination for nations within Austro-Hungarian Empire  League of Nations

29 Treaty of Versailles  The Big Four-  Georges Clemenceau- France  David Lloyd George- Great Britain  Woodrow Wilson- USA  Vittorio Orlando- Italy  Sought revenge and compensation

30 Peace…and Victory!  Germany disarmed and stripped of colonies in Asia, Africa  Admit guilt for war, pay huge reparations to Britain, France  Self-determination for former German territories  League of Nations- each nation ready to protect other nations

31 Ratification  Republicans concerned with League of Nations  Irreconcilables- no entry into League, no matter what  Reservationists- could accept the League if reservations were added  Wilson goes all in, touring country for support  Ratification fails in 1919 and 1920


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