Winning the War World War I

Total War Total war – the use of a nation’s entire resources into the war effort Modern, mechanized war required the total commitment of the whole society.

Economic Impact Both sides set up systems to recruit, train, arm, transport and supply armies in the millions. Conscription – “the draft” required all young men to be ready to serve. – Germany even set up forced civilian labor too.

Economic Impact Raised taxes and borrowed huge amounts of money Rationed food and other consumer goods Economic controls – Setting prices – Forbidding strikes

Propaganda War Total war meant controlling public opinion – The press was censored – Restricted popular literature – Restricted movies & art Kept complete death numbers or discouraging news from the people Propaganda – spreading of ideas to promote or to damage an opposing cause.

Propaganda War Both sides used tales of atrocities, horrible acts against innocent people – Greatly exaggerated – Completely made up!

Impact on Women Women played a critical role in total war. Took over jobs and kept national economy going. – War industries, manufacturing, weapons, supplies British food shortages – Women’s Land army grew food Many served on the front lines as nurses Support for War effort help them win right to vote.

Collapsing Morale Germany sending 15 year olds to the front Britain on the verge of bankruptcy Food shortages, causalities Stalemate lead soldiers to abandon their post all over Europe.

Revolution in Russia Three years into the War – Russia hit hard Bread riots in 1917 lead to a revolution that brought down the Romanov Monarchy – Allies hoped for a new democratic Russia Vladimir Lenin came to power and promised to leave the war. Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany – ended Russian involvement

The United States Declares War Why? – Unrestricted Submarine warfare – Zimmerman Note – Cultural Ties

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Attacks on merchant and passenger ships carrying Americans Transporting supplies to the Allies – American was neutral and had a right to safe travel Lusitania torpedoed May 1915 – 1,200 killed; 128 Americans – Germany claimed in carried weapons (true)

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare U.S. threatens to cut off relations with Germany – Agree to restrict its submarine warfare – Before attacking- Germany would surface and allow neutral passengers to board life boats. December 1916 – Germany resumed unrestricted warfare

Cultural Ties Many Americans supported Allies – British heritage – France another democracy Some supported Central Powers – German Americans – Irish Americans – resented British rule of Ireland – Russian Jewish immigrants dislike Czar ALLIES OWED U.S. a whole bunch of money!

Declaring War April 1917, Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany. By 1918, 2 million American soldiers joined the fight Boosted morale of Allies and Americans are good fighters Financial aid helped them, too.

Fourteen Points President Wilson’s plan for resolving this war and all future war Some of the Points: – Freedom of the seas – Free trade – Large-scale reduction in weapons – End to secret treaties – Self-determination for all people – Creation of “League of Nations” to keep the peace.

Campaign to Victory As Allies forced Germany back across France and Belgium: – German commanders urged Kaiser to step down, which he did – fleeing to Netherlands – Government of Austria-Hungary collapsed- splintering the Hapsburg empire.

Armistice New German Government sought an armistice – or agreement to end fighting The Great War came to an end on the eleventh month, eleventh day at the eleventh hour of 1918

Questions to Ponder What measures did wartime governments take to control their national economies and public opinion? What impact did wartime failures have on Russia? Why did the United States declare war on Germany? What impact did American entry have on the war?