An Overview of the Great War

1917-18: Revolution and Peace American Neutrality *good for business *many Germans and Irish * “It’s none of our business!” * Wilson’s re-election slogan: “He kept us out of War!” America Enters *growing sympathy for Allies *unrestricted sub warfare *the Zimmerman Telegram *April 2, 1917: US Declaration of War

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare In an effort to prevent supplies reaching the Allies from the United States and others, Germany declared all waters around Britain a war zone and warned all nations of possible attack. On May 7, 1915, the submarine U-20 torpedoed the Cunard line Lusitania. Of the 2000 passengers, 1198 were lost, including 128 Americans.

Fred Spear’s evocative recruitment poster based on the sinking of the Lusitania.

The Zimmerman Telegram

Americans Turn Out to Fight With the entrance of the United States, the Allies gain nearly 4 million soldiers. American military is relatively unprepared to fight but will learn quickly. General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing named Commander of the AEF.

American “Doughboy”

Americans Turn Out to Fight Training camps quickly go up across the nation (Greenville: Camp Sevier). All branches of the military are segregated and African-American troops will be attached to the French when sent to Europe. The most famous of these units is the 369th, known as “The Harlem Hellfighters.”

Americans Turn Out to Fight At home, Americans busy themselves supporting the troops through rationing and purchasing war bonds. Industry was mobilized to assist and the 16th Amendment established the federal income tax.

Americans Turn Out to Fight

Americans Turn Out to Fight

Russia Exits Reasons for Revolution *mounting military losses *hunger *disconnect with the Czar March 1917 *Nicholas overthrown *Vladimir Lenin promises: “Land! Bread! Peace!” November 1917 *Bolshevik Revolution March 1918 *Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Russia given new name: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) 1922

The Armistice Thanks to fresh troops and supplies from America, the balance of power tipped in favor of the Allies in 1918. At 11:11 am on November 11, 1918, the Germans signed an armistice to end the war. The Kaiser abdicated and fled to Holland.

The Aftermath Casualties of War Country Men Mobilized Killed Total Casualties Percent Casualties Russia 12 million 1.7 million 9.2 million 76.3% France 8.4 million 1.4 million 6.2 million 73.3% Britain 8.9 million 908,000 3.19 million 35.8% US 4.4 million 126,000 350,000 8.0% Allies 42.2 million 5.2 million 22.1 million 52.3 % Germany 11 million 1.8 million 7 million 65% Aust/Hun 7.8 million 1.2 million 7 million 90% Turkey 2.9 million 325,000 975,000 34% Central Powers 22.9 million 3.4 million 15 million 67% Total 65 million 8.5 million 37.5 million 58%

Europe in 1914