THE GREAT WAR

The Beginning of the Great War 

American Neutrality  Foreign policy tradition  Trading rights

Freedom of the seas?  Great Britain declares naval blockade against Germany, seizing all ships running the blockade America Too! Wilson’s Response

German Response  The submarine is introduced into WWI as Germany announces its own blockade, threatening to sink on site any ships near the British Isles

Sinking of the Lusitania  British “passenger” liner, the Lusitania, is sunk on May 7, 1915  128 Americans drown

How Neutral? (mo money mo problems)  American business interests  J.P. Morgan’s loans to Britain and France  4x trade with Allies, 0 trade with Germany

But, still…  “We must be impartial in thought, as well as action.”  America was neither  Majority of native-born Americans supported Britain and France  British propaganda influenced Americans

So, Just in Case  National Security League organized soon after European war began.  Roosevelt and other Republicans recognized inadequate Army and Navy  “Preparedness”  Initially against preparedness, Wilson got the National Defense Act passed in June 1916

Any Objections?  Americans in the Midwest and West feared “preparedness” would lead us America to war  Populists, Progressives, Socialists, and Women Suffragists actively campaigned against involvement

“He kept us out of war”  Roosevelt declines the Progressive Party’s nomination, rejoins the Republicans.  Republicans nominate Charles Evans Hughes 

Wilson Declares War Woodrow Wilson declared war only one month after being sworn into office because of A. SubmarinesB. Business Interests C. Russian RevolutionD. National Security League

Why? How?  Wilson’s Peace Without Victory Speech- Jan.1917  Unrestricted Submarine Warfare- Jan  The Zimmermann Telegram- Jan (US receives in late Feb from Britain)  Wilson’s Second Inaugural Address- March 1917  U.S. declares war on Germany- April 6, 1917

Wilson’s Peace Without Victory Speech- Jan.1917  Group 1

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare- Jan  Group 2

The Zimmermann Telegram  Jan (US receives in late Feb from Britain)  Group 3

Wilson’s Second Inaugural Address- March 1917  Group 4

U.S. declares war on Germany- April 6, 1917  Group 5

America at War  Why did the US have a difficult time staying out of World War I?  In a short essay, respond to the following prompt. Make sure to include events from 1914 up to the immediate causes.

Fighting the War  Germany was preparing a knockout blow so the US had to mobilize quickly.  War Industries Board set production priorities and set controls over raw materials and prices.  Food Administration, led by Herbert Hoover.  Fuel Administration to save coal. Daylight savings time.

Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all  Government raised $33 billion in two years through loans, taxes, and bonds.

The Armed Forces  Selective Service Act of 1917 called 2.8 million men to serve. 4.7 million total Americans served.  Segregation applied to the army, with 400,000 African American soldiers. Only a few became officers.

Public Opinion  Propaganda agency, Committee on Public Information, led by George Creel

Espionage and Sedition Acts  Espionage Act of years in prison for inciting rebellion in armed forces or obstructing the draft  Sedition Act of no disloyal or abusive remarks about US government  2,000 prosecuted, half were jailed  Schenck v. United States

What’s Going on at Home?  Women enter the workforce  Mexican immigration  African American migration north

Fighting the War  Armed escorts for merchant ships to Britain  American Expeditionary Force commanded by General John J. Pershing  US troops filled in French and British lines, then took control of the Western front  American victory at Belleau Wood, Meuse River through the Argonne Forest

Armistice Day  November 11, 1918  Germany signed armistice to surrender arms, give up much of their navy, and evacuate occupied territory

“Peace Without Victory”  Wilson’s Fourteen Points  Recognition of freedom of the seas  End of secret treaties  Reduction of national armaments  “impartial adjustment of all colonial claims”  Self-determination for nations within Austro-Hungarian Empire  League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles  The Big Four-  Georges Clemenceau- France  David Lloyd George- Great Britain  Woodrow Wilson- USA  Vittorio Orlando- Italy  Sought revenge and compensation

Peace…and Victory!  Germany disarmed and stripped of colonies in Asia, Africa  Admit guilt for war, pay huge reparations to Britain, France  Self-determination for former German territories  League of Nations- each nation ready to protect other nations

Ratification  Republicans concerned with League of Nations  Irreconcilables- no entry into League, no matter what  Reservationists- could accept the League if reservations were added  Wilson goes all in, touring country for support  Ratification fails in 1919 and 1920