Herbert Hoover and the FDA Wheatless Wednesdays Meatless Tuesdays Alcohol manufacturing slowed 18th amendment (1919) $21 billion raised

The Draft of 1917 Selective Service Act of 1917 Males 18-45 Work or fight rule discouraged strikers Women and African Americans allowed to serve

Workers Unemployed males threatened with the draft Union membership increased Wartime inflation threatened to eliminate wage gains and thousands of strikes resulted.  IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) were victims of some of the worst working conditions in the country. 

1919 Steel Strike In 1919, the greatest strike in American history hit the steel industry.  More than 250,000 steelworkers walked off their jobs companies brought in 30,000 African-Americans to keep the mills running.  After several deadly confrontations, the strike collapsed, crippling the union movement for over 10 years.

Women and the War National Woman's party protested the war. National American Woman Suffrage Association, supported Impressed by women's war work, President Wilson supported women suffrage.  In 1920, The 19th Amendment was passed, giving all American women the right to vote. Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act of 1921 providing federally financed instruction in maternal and infant health care.

19th amendment

Russia backs out…. 1917 Bolshevik Revolution Communist Russia toppled the tsar regime Pulled out of “Capitalistic” war War now fought solely for democracy

America enters into Europe A year after Congress declared war, the first American troops reached France.  used as replacements in the Allied armies deployed in quiet sectors with the British and French.  Shipping shortages plagued the Allies.

The Fighting Begins Spring 1918 – Germans attack western front 500,000 German troops Marshal Foch (French commander in charge of allies) 30,000 Americans sent to French frontlines Halted German advance

Second Battle of the Marne July 1918 Marked the beginning of a German withdrawal. The Americans demanded a separate army; General John J. Pershing was assigned a front of 85 miles.  Pershing's army undertook the Meuse-Argonne offensive from September 26 to November 11, 1918.  Cut the German railroad lines feeding the western front.  As German supplies ran low and as their allies began to desert them, defeat was in sight for Germany.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

St. Mihiel September 12th-16th, 1918 1.2 million U.S. troops Cut German supply lines Allied victory but costly

German Defeat In October of 1918, the Germans were ready for peace based on the Fourteen Points.  Surrendered on November 11, 1918 The United States' main contributions to the victory had been foodstuffs, munitions, credits, oil, and manpower.  Only fought 2 major battles, at St. Mihiel and the Meuse- Argonne.  The prospect of endless U.S. troops, rather than America's actual military performance eventually demoralized the Germans.  

Paris Conference January 18th, 1919 The Big Four Wilson (1st president to travel oversees) Orlando (Italy) Lloyd George (Britain) Clemenceau (France) Wilson’s main goal: League of Nations World parliament Seats for all nations Controlled by major power

The Big Four Clemenceau of France, Orlando of Italy, David Lloyd George of Britain and Woodrow Wilson

The Treaty of Versailles Wilson infuriates Republicans when he fails to take any w him to negotiations Wilson must compromise on most of the 14 Pts. Europe blamed war on Germany League of Nations is created and Article X calls for members to stand up for each other if one country’s sovereignty is threatened.

Problems with the Treaty The Treaty of Versailles was forced upon the Germans in June 1919.  Outraged with the treaty, noticing that most of the Fourteen Points were left out. Wilson, also not happy with the outcome of the treaty, was forced to compromise away some of his Fourteen Points in order to salvage the more precious League of Nations.

American Support Critics of the League of Nations came from all sides.  Irish-Americans, isolationists, and principled liberals all denounced the League. In an attempt to speed up the passing of the treaty in the Senate, President Wilson decided to travel the country On his return to Washington, Wilson suffered a stroke and suffered from physical and nervous exhaustion.

Wilson’s Route

Defeat Through Deadlock Senator Lodge, a critic to the president, came up with fourteen reservations to the Treaty of Versailles.  These safeguards reserved the rights of the U.S. under the Monroe Doctrine and the Constitution and otherwise sought to protect American sovereignty. After the Senate rejected the Treaty twice, the Treaty of Versailles was defeated.  The Lodge-Wilson personal feud, traditionalism, isolationism, disillusionment, and partisanship all contributed to the defeat of the treaty.

Election of 1920 The Republicans chose Senator Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge The Republican platform appealed to both pro-League and anti-League sentiment in the party. Democrats nominated pro-League Governor James. M. Cox as their presidential hopeful and chose Franklin D. Roosevelt as their vice-presidential nominee. Warren Harding won the election of 1920.  Harding's victory lead to the death of the League of Nations.

Election of 1920 What does this tell us about the League of Nations?

On to the next war…. The Treaty of Versailles was the only one of the four peace treaties not to succeed. After the war, America did not embrace the role of global leader.