The United States in the Great War

I. WW & WWI Wilson wins election of 1912 “Progressive,” but an ardent segregationist. “Moral Diplomacy” vs. “Big Stick,” “Dollar Diplomacy” Term eventually dominated by foreign affairs, especially “The Great War” Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904) USA as policeman of western hemisphere Europeans stay out US intervenes all over Caribbean, central America – see cartoon Mexican Revolution during Wilson’s 1st term US sends troops to oust Huerta “teach them to elect good men”

BUT: isolationism regarding Europe. We're here, they're there. June 28, 1914 – Archduke Ferdinand murdered – War! Germany – Austria-Hungary – Italy – Turkey vs. Russia – France – Britain - USA (eventually)

Wilson declares neutrality Traditional isolationism: Trades with both sides Popular opinion = against Germany Irish & German Americans against joining Allies Strengthened nativism

II. America Enters the War Wilson wins re-election 1916: “He kept us out of war.” May 1915: “unrestricted” submarine warfare  Lusitania Jan 1917: Germans revive unrestricted sub. Warfare Feb 1917: Zimmerman Note March 1917: Russia collapses; new gov’t = democracy April 1917: Wilson’s war message to Congress 2.8 million Americans serve, inc;luding women and 400,000 blacks

III. The War at Home - Social effects “Great Migration” Espionage and Sedition Acts Crime to criticize the war Schenck v. U.S. (1919) 6,300 Germans interned in camps Break unions, throw leaders in jail ACLU Economic effects “Total War”  Gov’t control of economy Set prices, production levels War bonds Get Americans invested in the war Propaganda!

H. R. Hopps. Destroy This Mad Brute. No date. http://www. hrc. utexas

IV. The Treaty of Versailles The League of Nations Jan. 1918 – Wilson introduces “14 Points” Freedom, self-determination International organization to preserve the peace Try not to make anybody too angry Jan. 1919 – conference held at Versailles Wilson represents US – brings no republicans! Treaty = compromise – much harsher on Germany than Wilson wanted, but includes L of N. L.O.N. – respect independence and protect each other from outside aggression

Treaty of Versailles (cont’d) B. American debate: isolationism vs. idealism/interventionism Opposition led by Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge (MA) Prefers traditional foreign policy Obstructs treaty Sept. 1919 – Wilson launches speaking tour in support of treaty Exhausted – Oct. 1919 – suffers a stroke Both sides still refuse to compromise – never passed by US. No consensus going forward…Wilson dies soon afterward