America’s Involvement in World War I

Europe During WWI

Freedom of the Seas

Causes of American Entry into WWI a.On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asked for a declaration of war from Congress after 4 more unarmed merchant ships had been sunk. 1.Zimmermann Note a. German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann secretly proposed a German-Mexican alliance with the Zimmermann note b. News of the Zimmermann note leaked out to the public, infuriating Americans. 2. Germany Declares Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

U.S Enters the Great War

President Wilson 1.President Wilson persuaded the public for war by declaring his twin goals of: a. "a war to end war" b. "to make the world safe for democracy." 2.He argued that America only fought to shape an international order in which democracy could flourish without fear of dictators and militarists.

Wilson

U.S. Economy During WWI 1.Herbert C. Hoover led the Food Administration a. rejected issuing ration cards and, to save food for export b. he proclaimed “wheatless” Wednesdays and “meatless” Tuesdays, all on a voluntary basis 2. Congress restricted the use of foodstuffs for manufacturing alcoholic beverages a. In 1919, the 18 th Amendment was passed, prohibiting all alcoholic drinks b. money-saving tactics of Hoover and other agencies such as yielded about $21 billion towards the war fund 3. Other funding of the war came through increased taxes and bonds.

Civilian Sacrificies

U.S. Building a Military President Wilson opposed a draft a. eventually realized that a draft was necessary to quickly raise the large army that was to be sent to France b. Congress passed the draft act in required the registration of all males between the ages of 18 and did not allow for a man to purchase his exemption from the draft 3. women were allowed in the armed forces.

U.S. Troops Fight in Europe , the Bolshevik Revolution in communist Russia toppled the tsar a. Russia pulled out of the WWI b. thousands of Germans on the Russian front were sent to fight on the western front in France c. Russia out of the war allowed the U.S. fight for Democracy in the war. 2. First American troops reached France in 1918 a. used as replacements in the Allied armies b. generally sent to quiet areas with the British and French c. American troops were also sent to Belgium, Italy, and Russia d. Americans hoped to prevent Russian weapons from falling into the hands of the Germans.

U.S. Troops Impact in WWI 1.Spring 1918 a. Germans on the western front with about 500,000 troops b. Allied nations for the first time united under a supreme commander, French marshal Foch c. to stop Germany from taking Paris and France, 30,000 American troops were sent to the French frontlines d. This was the first significant engagement of American troops in a European war 2. July 1918 a. German drive had been halted and Allies made a counteroffensive b. This marked the beginning of a German withdrawal

U.S. Troops Help End WWI America General John J. Pershing was assigned a front of 85 miles a. Pershing's army undertook the Meuse-Argonne offensive from September 26 to November 11, 1918 b. One objective was to cut the German railroad lines feeding the western front c. As German supplies ran low and as their allies began to desert them defeat was in sight for Germany d. November 11, 1918, after the emperor of Germany had fled to Holland, Germany surrendered

WWI Ends November 11, 1918

U.S. Contributions in WWI 1.The United States's main contributions to the victory had been foodstuffs, munitions, credits, oil, and manpower 2.The Americans only fought 2 major battles, at St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne 3. The prospect of endless U.S. troops, rather than America's actual military performance eventually demoralized the Germans

Wilson’s Fourteen Points. 1.Would provide a framework for peace discussions 2. First 5 points and their effects were: a. A proposal to abolish secret treaties b. Freedom of the seas c. A removal of economic barriers among nations d. Reduction of weapons e. An adjustment of colonial claims in the interests of both native people and the colonizers 3. Point #14- the League of Nations - an international organization that Wilson dreamed would provide a system of collective security

The Big Four

The Real Big Four: David Lloyd George of Britain. Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy. Georges Clemenceau of France. Woodrow Wilson of USA.

Peace Treaty 1.The Treaty of Versailles was forced upon the Germans in June Germans were outraged with the treaty, noticing that most of the Fourteen Points were left out 3. President Wilson forced to compromise away some of his Fourteen Points in order to save the League of Nations.

Signing of Treaty

Treaty Rejection 1.Republican Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, a critic to the president, came up with fourteen reservations to the Treaty of Versailles 2. Reserved the rights of the U.S. under the Monroe Doctrine and the Constitution and sought to protect American sovereignty 3.After the Senate rejected the Treaty twice, the Treaty of Versailles was defeated 3.The Lodge-Wilson personal feud, traditionalism, isolationism, disillusionment, and partisanship all contributed to the defeat of the treaty Treaty of Versailles

Henry Cabot Lodge

U.S. Policy After WWI 1.After the war America did not embrace the role of global leader 2.U.S. became isolationist in world affairs during the 1920s and 1930s 3. Should the United States have used its enormous strength to shape world-shaking events? 4. Could the United States have prevented another world war?

WWI Technology

Casualties of War War Statistics