WORLD WAR I

 “War to end all wars”  War was mostly fought in Europe.  There were two fronts or places where the fighting occurred.  Eastern Front  Western Front WORLD WAR I

 It was the bloodiest war in history up to that point.  Over 8 million deaths  Millions more were wounded  Long lasting physical effects of fighting  Much of Europe’s land was destroyed DEVASTATION OF WAR

 The world took “the Great Leap Forward” in military technology.  Military technology allowed for the efficient killing of a large number of people. EFFECTS OF WAR

 America would enter the war late, but would play a very important role.  America would be involved in the war while they were neutral or sitting on the sideline.  America would enter the war and would be a decisive factor in the win for the Allied Powers. AMERICA

 The aftermath of World War I would affect the world for years to come.  Learning from the past.  Aftermath of World War I would lead to a second more deadly and devastating war, World War II. LESSONS FROM WORLD WAR I

PRE AND POST WAR WORLD

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR 1

 Nationalism- loyalty and devotion to a nation; exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations  Pre-World War I there was a belief that people who held the same ethnicity, language, and history should be able to form their own independent states. CAUSE #1-NATIONALISM

 Great Britain had historically dominated the sea.  Germany wanted to challenge Great Britain’s naval superiority.  Germany and Great Britain took part in a Naval Arms Race during the early 1900’s.  The arms race increased tensions and Great Britain felt the need to strengthen their relations with France and Russia. CAUSE #2-NAVAL ARMS RACE

 The Alliance System dates back to the 1860’s. Prussia had united Germany and proclaimed a German Empire.  Germany would protect itself and form the Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary.  Russia and France would form the Franco-Russian Alliance. Later Great Britain would join the alliance and it would become the Triple Entente Alliance. CAUSE #3-ALLIANCES

CAUSE #4-ASSASSINATION  “The match that lit the powder keg” was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.  He and his wife were shot by a Serbian Nationalist from the group the “Black Hand”.  Germany support Austro-Hungary, Russia supported Serbia, and the Russians counted on the support of the French.  This quickly led to World War I.

AMERICA PREPARES FOR WORLD WAR I

 The United States only had roughly 300,000 soldiers in the Army and National Guard.  The Progressives in government decided on a new conscription system, called selective service.  Selective Service Act required all men 21 to 30 had to register for the draft.  Lottery determined who would be selected to serve.  Approximately 2.8 million men were drafted and another 2 million volunteered. BUILDING UP THE MILITARY

 400,000+ African Americans were drafted for the war.  42,000 served overseas as combat troops.  African Americans encountered discrimination and prejudice in their racially segregated units.  Despite all of this they fought with distinction. They received good marks from superiors. AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE WAR

 World War I, first war where women officially served in the armed forces, although they were only noncombat positions.  Women worked as clerks, nurses, radio operators, electricians, pharmacists, photographers, chemists, and torpedo assemblers.  Navy enlisted women, where as the Army did not. The only women that served in the Army, was the Army Nursing Corps.  Over 20,000 women served as nurses, including 10,000 overseas WOMEN IN THE MILITARY

 Progressives helped big business and government come together to ensure that the use of natural resources was used to further the war effort.  One of the first agencies created was the War Industries Board (WIB). Its job was to coordinate the production of war materials.  Told manufacturers what they could and could not produce.  Controlled the flow of raw material, constructed new factories, and in some instances set prices. ORGANIZATION OF COUNTRY AT HOME

 Herbert Hoover was put in charge of the Food Administration. The agency was in charge of increasing food production while reducing civilian consumption.  Hoover’s programs were voluntary and they included:  Wheatless Mondays  Meatless Tuesday  Porkless Thursday  Hoover encouraged victory gardens. FOOD ADMINISTRATION

 The Fuel Administration was run by Harry Garfield.  His task was to manage the nation’s use of oil and coal.  Garfield introduced daylight savings time and shortened workweeks for factories that did not make war materials.  He encouraged Heatless Mondays. FUEL ADMINISTRATION

Continued AMERICA PREPARES FOR WORLD WAR I

 The National War Labor Board was created to prevent disruptions in the war effort, especially strikes.  Membership in unions increased by more than 1.5 million  NWLB pressured industry to increase workers wages, 8-hour workdays, and they recognized unions. In return the labor leaders agreed to not strike and disrupt war production.  World War I led to an increase in work opportunities for women. MOBILIZING THE WORK FORCE

 World War I opened up many job opportunities for African Americans.  500,000 African Americans moved from the South to the North in search of jobs.  This became known as the “Great Migration”.  100,000 Mexicans migrated north to provide labor for ranchers and farmers. THE GREAT MIGRATION

 The Committee on Public Information(CPI) was created to “sell” the war to the American people.  CPI recruited advertising executives, artists, authors, songwriters, public speakers, motion picture companies, etc.  CPI distributed pamphlets, arranged speeches, and developed the “Four Minute Men”. PUBLIC SUPPORT

 By the end of World War I, America was spending $44 million dollars a day, which led to a total bill of $32 billion for the war.  Congress raised income taxes, taxed corporate profits, and extra taxes on arms factories.  Government borrowed $20million from the American people by selling Liberty Bonds and Victory Bonds. PAYING FOR THE WAR

 Espionage Act of 1917-established penalties for and prison terms for anyone helping the enemy, being disloyal, or disrupting the war effort.  Sedition Act of 1918-illegal to make any public expression of opposition to the war.  1,500 prosecutions and 1,000 convictions  Fear of spies and suspicion led to the dislike and mistrust of German-Americans. CIVIL LIBERTIES