World War I U.S. Involvement, Turning Points & Effects of the War

U.S. Involvement WWI started in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand by Serbian nationalists. Immediately all of Europe was up in arms as countries began to honor their alliances with other nations. WWI started in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand by Serbian nationalists. Immediately all of Europe was up in arms as countries began to honor their alliances with other nations.

Europe Takes Sides Serbia refused to help Austria with the investigation. In retaliation, Austria declared war. Germany and Italy promised to protect Austria should Britain or France interfere. However, it was too late. Britain, in hopes of protecting France, declared war on Germany. WWI had begun… Triple Alliance= Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary Triple Ententé= Great Britain, France & Russia

Isolationism Although Europe was fully engaged in war, Pres. Woodrow Wilson pursued a policy of isolationism. As a humanitarian, Wilson believed in using “moral diplomacy” or allowing other nations to deal with their own issues. He therefore, tried to keep the United States out of the war. Moreover, Wilson begged Americans to remain neutral in both thought & action. “In a melting pot nation that tried to make Americans from peoples of diverse origins, Wilson did not want to see the war set Americans against one another. “ (United States History Text)

Staying out of the war at all costs was harder than first thought. Britain, France and Russia needed supplies if they were to be the victors. With the proliferation of new technologies, inventions and industry, the U.S. was poised on the brink of becoming the world’s leading economic power.

The Russian Revolution Although Russia had joined the allied forces, back home it had bigger problems to worry about. In 1917, Csar Nicholas, the ruler of Russia, stepped down. Within a year, Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks took over and ushered in a Communist regime. That same year, Russia backed out of the war.

America gets involved … Several factors led to America’s involvement in the war: Germany’s invasion of Belgium, a neutral country Germany’s invasion of Belgium, a neutral country Germany’s attack on the passenger ship, the Lusitania Germany’s attack on the passenger ship, the Lusitania The Zimmerman Note-Sent by Germany to Mexico in hopes of forming a secret alliance against America The Zimmerman Note-Sent by Germany to Mexico in hopes of forming a secret alliance against America Germany resumes submarine warfare Germany resumes submarine warfare

America gets involved … Germany’s invasion of Belgium in 1914 was horrific. Germans attacked men, women & children in this neutral country. Americans were outraged, and many felt that it was America’s duty to protect the innocent and stop the aggressor. Germany’s invasion of Belgium in 1914 was horrific. Germans attacked men, women & children in this neutral country. Americans were outraged, and many felt that it was America’s duty to protect the innocent and stop the aggressor.

Attack on the Lusitania May 7, 1915: German U-boats sink British passenger ship, Lusitania, claiming that it was carrying weapons of war. May 7, 1915: German U-boats sink British passenger ship, Lusitania, claiming that it was carrying weapons of war. Dramatic newspaper illustrations infuriated Americans, who felt the attack on innocent lives unlawful and immoral. Dramatic newspaper illustrations infuriated Americans, who felt the attack on innocent lives unlawful and immoral. Later investigations showed that the Lusitania was indeed carrying a cache of weapons bound for Great Britain. Later investigations showed that the Lusitania was indeed carrying a cache of weapons bound for Great Britain.

The Zimmerman Note January 1917-Germany, suffering a severe shortage of supplies, sends a telegram to Mexico. January 1917-Germany, suffering a severe shortage of supplies, sends a telegram to Mexico. The Zimmerman Note proposed an alliance with Mexico, should the U.S. declare war on Germany. The Zimmerman Note proposed an alliance with Mexico, should the U.S. declare war on Germany. Mexico would then attack the U.S. and in return, Germany promised to give them back Texas, New Mexico & Arizona. Mexico would then attack the U.S. and in return, Germany promised to give them back Texas, New Mexico & Arizona.

Zimmerman Note, continued… The Zimmerman Note was intercepted by British officials and given to American authorities. The Zimmerman Note was intercepted by British officials and given to American authorities. Although most leaders knew Mexico had no intentions of attacking the U.S., Americans were shocked by the telegram. Although most leaders knew Mexico had no intentions of attacking the U.S., Americans were shocked by the telegram. The Zimmerman Note was, perhaps, the most influential reason that Americans entered the war in The Zimmerman Note was, perhaps, the most influential reason that Americans entered the war in 1917.

The Sinking of the Sussex After the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany made promises not to sink unarmed passenger ships again without warning. After the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany made promises not to sink unarmed passenger ships again without warning. March 24, 1916-Germany breaks its promise by sinking the Sussex. March 24, 1916-Germany breaks its promise by sinking the Sussex. Early 1917, desperate German leaders declare unrestricted submarine warfare. This, along with the Zimmerman Note caused the U.S. to finally abandon its policy of neutrality and enter the war. Early 1917, desperate German leaders declare unrestricted submarine warfare. This, along with the Zimmerman Note caused the U.S. to finally abandon its policy of neutrality and enter the war.

The American Homefront During WWI Once America entered the war, several laws were passed to ensure American security: Espionage Act (1917)=Enacted severe penalties for anyone engaged in disloyal or treasonable activities. Espionage Act (1917)=Enacted severe penalties for anyone engaged in disloyal or treasonable activities. Selective Service Act (1917)=Authorized the draft Selective Service Act (1917)=Authorized the draft Sedition Act (“Schneck v U.S.”)=Authorized the government to limit “free speech” during times of war if the words present a “clear & present danger” to the country. Also, made it illegal to print, distribute or mail anti-war materials. Sedition Act (“Schneck v U.S.”)=Authorized the government to limit “free speech” during times of war if the words present a “clear & present danger” to the country. Also, made it illegal to print, distribute or mail anti-war materials.

Minorities During the War Mostly young, white males, called “dough boys” joined or were drafted into the military to fight in the war, leaving their jobs vacant. Mostly young, white males, called “dough boys” joined or were drafted into the military to fight in the war, leaving their jobs vacant. African Americans, wishing to escape Jim Crow Laws & southern discrimination, migrated North & filled the vacant jobs. African Americans, wishing to escape Jim Crow Laws & southern discrimination, migrated North & filled the vacant jobs. Many Mexicans also immigrated to America and found work on farms in the Southwest and California. Many Mexicans also immigrated to America and found work on farms in the Southwest and California. Women, too, found their way into new roles and jobs. Many worked in factories helping to build weapons of war. This, along with gaining the right to vote in 1919, began to change society’s view of women. In the 1920s a “new woman” would emerge… Women, too, found their way into new roles and jobs. Many worked in factories helping to build weapons of war. This, along with gaining the right to vote in 1919, began to change society’s view of women. In the 1920s a “new woman” would emerge…

End of the War & Peace “Peace without Victory”= President Wilson’s idea that the everyone should simply stop fighting without declaring a victor. “Peace without Victory”= President Wilson’s idea that the everyone should simply stop fighting without declaring a victor. Wilson’s Fourteen Points=List of terms for resolving WWI & future wars as outlined by Pres. Wilson. Included a proposal for a “League of Nations” Wilson’s Fourteen Points=List of terms for resolving WWI & future wars as outlined by Pres. Wilson. Included a proposal for a “League of Nations”

League of Nations World Organization established after WWI to promote peaceful cooperation between countries. World Organization established after WWI to promote peaceful cooperation between countries. The only part of Wilson’s 14 points that the Allies accepted. The only part of Wilson’s 14 points that the Allies accepted.

Treaty of Versailles (ver-sigh) Versailles, France-Treaty that ended WWI Versailles, France-Treaty that ended WWI Britain & France demanded that Germany take blame for the war and pay war reparations. Britain & France demanded that Germany take blame for the war and pay war reparations. Reservationists in Congress, such as Henry Cabot Lodge, opposed the treaty as written. Wanted minor changes. Reservationists in Congress, such as Henry Cabot Lodge, opposed the treaty as written. Wanted minor changes. Irreconcilables in Congress refused to agree to any treaty with a League of Nations for fear it would require America to go to war Irreconcilables in Congress refused to agree to any treaty with a League of Nations for fear it would require America to go to war Congress never ratified the Treaty of Versailles. Congress never ratified the Treaty of Versailles.