The First World War: US History

Timeline: United States: 1914 – Hollywood, CA becomes the center of movie production in the US – Alexander Graham Bell makes the first transcontinental telephone call – The US Selective Service sets up the draft World: 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated – Albert Einstein proposes his general theory of relativity – The First World War ends.

Section 1: Objectives By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Identify the long-term causes and the immediate circumstances that led to World War I. 2. Describe the first two years of the war. 3. Summarize US public opinion about the war. 4. Explain why the United States entered the war.

Section 1: World War I Begins: Main Idea: As World War I intensified, the United States was forced to abandon its neutrality. Why it Matters Now: The United States remains involved in European and world affairs. Key Terms: Nationalism Militarism Allies Central Powers No Man’s Land Key Terms / Names: Trench Warfare Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lusitania

Causes of the War: M.A.I.N. Historians have traditionally cited four long-term causes of the First World War MILITARISM – The growth of nationalism and imperialism led to increased military spending ALLIANCE SYSTEM – By 1907 Europe was divided into two armed camps (allies and central powers) IMPERIALISM – Economic and political control over weaker nations NATIONALISM – a devotion to the interests and culture of one’s nation

Causes of World War I: Militarism: European nations built large armies (especially Germany) Other nations tried to keep up (naval power) Alliance System: Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and Russia (US would join later) Central Powers, consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Imperialism: Nations around the world were overtaking weaker ones Provided the resources to build a larger empire Nationalism National pride led to rivalries and conflicts between nations

1. The Alliance System Triple Entente: Triple Alliance:

Two Armed Camps! Allied Powers: Central Powers:

3. Economic & Imperial Rivalries

4. Aggressive Nationalism

Pan-Slavism: The Balkans, 1914 The “Powder Keg” of Europe

The “Spark”

The Spark: An Assassination: Many countries were competing for access to the Ottoman Empire (present day Turkey) Russia wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea Germany wanted a rail link to the Ottoman Empire Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the Austrian throne was gunned down by an assassin while visiting the city of Sarajevo (Bosnia) Click the Pic!

The Assassination: Sarajevo

The Assassin: Gavrilo Princip

The Alliance System – European Dominoes Following the assassination, Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia. Russia, who is Serbia’s ally, declares war on Austria-Hungary. Germany, who is Austria-Hungary’s ally, declares war on Russia & France.

Mobilization  Home by Christmas!  No major war in 50 years!  Nationalism!  Home by Christmas!  No major war in 50 years!  Nationalism!

THE FIGHTING BEGINS  Russia pledged to protect Serbia  Germany saw Russia’s movement as aggression against Austria-Hungry  Germany declared war on France  Alliance system pulled one nation after another into the conflict – The Great War had begun  On August 3, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, following a strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan  This plan called for a quick strike through Belgium to Paris, France  Great Britain declared war on Germany  Next, Germany would attack Russia  The plan was designed to prevent a two-front war for Germany  Many countries believed that a strong military force would prevent war. 30 Countries fought in the “Great War” The Schliefflen Plan

The War Becomes A Stalemate: Both allies and central powers forces dug in for a long fight Trench warfare – hand dug channels that were created all across Europe There were 3 types of trenches: front line Support reserve Between enemy trenches was “ no man’s land ” – an area pockmarked with shell craters and filled with barbed wire wGT_-WrhE

Trench Warfare “No Man’s Land”

The conditions in these trenches were horrific; aside from the fear of bombardment, soldiers also had to contend with the mud, flooding and disease associated with living in such a harsh environment.

First Battle of the Somme: During the First Battle of the Somme - the British suffered 60,000 casualties the first day! Final casualties for the First Battle of the Somme totaled 1.2 million, yet only 7 miles of ground was gained This bloody trench warfare, in which armies fought for mere yards of ground, lasted for three years Gas attacks were common features of trench life and often caused blindness and lung disease

The Somme – July, 1916 e 60,000 British soldiers killed in one day. e Over 1,000,000 killed in 5 months. e 60,000 British soldiers killed in one day. e Over 1,000,000 killed in 5 months.

Should America Join the Fight? In 1914, most Americans saw no reason to join a struggle 3,000 miles away – they wanted neutrality –Many Americans felt close to the British because of a shared ancestry and language –Many immigrants saw their countries being ripped apart. During the first two years of the war, America was selling the allied forces war materials and weapons They used the sea to transport the goods Germany warned that any ship found in the waters around Britain would be sunk

The Lusitania Disaster: The Lusitania was a British passenger liner A German U-boat sank the Lusitania, killing all aboard (1200 people) including 128 American tourists The Germans claimed the ship was carrying Allied ammunition Americans were outraged and public opinion turned against Germany and the Central Powers

Steps Leading Towards War: Woodrow Wilson campaigned on the idea of “neutrality” _________________________ 1. He tried to speak with German officials in hopes of peace (they ignored him) 2. 4 more American ships were sunk by U-boats 3. Germany was also trying to ally with Mexico and promised to give them back American lands in return for help (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) Zimmerman Note

The Zimmerman Telegram

The Yanks Are Coming!

America Declares War: Wilson had reached his breaking point “The world must be safe for democracy” Congress passed the resolution a few days later –Declared war to protect the seas.

Section 2: Objectives By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Describe how the United States mobilized for war. 2. Summarize US battlefield successes. 3. Identify the new weapons and the medical problems faced in WW I. 4. Describe the US offensives and the end of the war. GOOAAALLL!!!(s)

Section 2: American Power Tips the Balance Main Idea: The United States mobilized a large army and navy to help the Allies achieve victory. Why it Matters Now: During World War I, the United States military evolved into the powerful fighting force that it remains today. Key Terms: Selective Service Act American Expeditionary Force Conscientious Objector Armistice Key Names: General John J. Pershing Alvin York

American Power Tips The Balance: America was not ready for war – only 200,000 men were in service when war was declared! –Domestic Issues Little Interest in foreign affairs Immigration, Industrialization, Progressive Era Selective Service Act (Draft) - required men to register with the government to be randomly selected to serve in the military About –2 million American troops would reach Europe –Many of them were poorly trained Some fought against the SSA – Conscientious objector

America Mobilizes for War America’s Budget: –Army $377, – $4,869,955 –Navy $239,633 $1,278,840 What supplies are needed? For Soldiers/Sailors Training Transportation Convoy System

Fighting “Over There” General John J. Pershing led a group called the American Expeditionary Force.- this was a group of newly trained, rural farm boys that got called in to fight –American infantry were nicknamed “doughboys” because of their white belts / buttons (they polished with a white clay – “dough”) Also viewed as being very “soft” Pershing wanted his troops to fight as “Americans” not as reserves for the British

New Weapons of War: Machine Guns – Guns could now fire 600 rounds per minute The Tank – New steel tanks ran on caterpillar treads (semi- bullet proof) Airplanes –The British had a fleet of planes that could deliver bomb loads Poison Gas – mustard gas was used to subdue the enemy

The Hazards Of War: These new technologies led to horrific injuries and hazards. Examples: Inhalation of poison gas, polluted water, lice, rats, and constant bombardment. The term “Shellshock” originated here – It is now called Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) –Trench Foot – Caused by standing in cold wet trenches for long periods of time without changing into dry socks/boots. –Toes would turn red/blue, then become numb and rot.

The Collapse Of Germany: Germany’s partner, Austria- Hungary, finally surrendered to the allies Other revolts followed, and Germany was too exhausted to continue –Sailors started to mutiny So at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of 1918, Germany signed a truce ending the Great War –Armistice –Nov

The Final Toll: WW I was the bloodiest war in history up to that time. Deaths numbered about 22 million. (more than half were civilians) 20 million additional people were wounded. The cost of the war was around $338 billion. The US lost 48,000 men in battle and another 62,000 from disease.

Section 3: Objectives By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Explain how business and government cooperated during the war. 2. Show how the government promoted the war. 3. Describe the attacks on civil liberties that occurred. 4. Summarize the social changes that affected African Americans and women.

Section Three: The War at Home Main Idea: World War I spurred social, political, and economic change in the United States. Why it Matter Now: Such changes increased government powers and expanded economic opportunities. Key Terms: War Industries Board Propaganda Espionage and Sedition Acts Great Migration Key Names: Bernard M. Baruch George Creel

The War At Home: The entire nation of US had to focus on the war –economy was focused on the war effort Total War –Consumer goods to war supplies –Business owners and government started to work together In the process, the power of the U.S. government expanded Congress gave President Wilson direct control over the economy –Fix prices –Nationalize war related industries.

War Industries Board: The War Industries Board encouraged companies to use mass-production techniques Bernard M, Baruch –Under the WIB, industrial production and wages increased 20% People and the war effort –National War Labor Board “work or fight” –Labor disputes were kept to a minimum because the affect they would have on production

A Culture of Change: To conserve food, Wilson set up the Food Administration –The FA declared one day a week “meatless” another “sweetless” two days “wheatless” and two other days “porkless” Homeowners planted “victory gardens” in their yards Farmers increased production by almost 30% by adding 40 million acres of farmland

Selling The War: The U.S. had two major tasks 1.Raising money 2.Convincing the public to support the war The U.S. spent $35.5 billion on the war effort The government raised about 1/3 of that through an income tax and “sin” taxes The rest was raised through war bonds sold to the public Propaganda –To popularize the war, the government set up the nations first propaganda agency Committee on Public Information –George Creel led the agency and persuaded many of the nation’s artists to create thousands of paintings, posters, cartoons and sculptures to promote the war

Attacks On Civil Liberties: As the war progressed, Civil Liberties were compromised –German and Austrian-Hungarian immigrants were targets Hamburger – Freedom Burger German not taught in school Congress decided to pass the Espionage and Sedition Acts - These acts were designed to prevent anti-war protests but went against the spirit of the First Amendment (Free speech) –Interfere with the War Effort –Saying anything disloyal, profane or abusive –Eugene V. Debs – 10 yrs in prison Speaking out against the war and draft Is it morally right to protest during war times?

Social Change During The War: The Great Migration was the large scale population shift for hundreds of thousands of blacks from the south to Northern cities They left to escape discrimination and to seek greater job opportunities Women also took over for the men at their jobs

Causes of the Flu: During WWI, soldiers were in close quarters and often spread disease. Soldiers returning home from war often spread the disease In 1918, a Flu Epidemic killed as many as 500,000 in the U.S. before it disappeared in 1919 Worldwide, the epidemic killed more than 50 million people (More than the death toll of World War I !)

Section 4: Objectives By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: 1. Summarize Wilson’s Fourteen Points 2. Describe the Treaty of Versailles and International and domestic reaction to it. 3. Explain some of the consequences of the war.

Section 4: Wilson Fights For Peace Main Idea: European leaders opposed most of Wilson’s peace plan, and the US Senate failed to ratify the peace treaty. Why it Matters Now: Many of the nationalist issues left unresolved after WW I continue to trouble the world today. Key Terms: Fourteen Points League of Nations Treaty of Versailles Reparations War-guilt Clause

What Happened After the War? Each nation had to learn to deal with the outcome of the war ($, death, loss of power, etc.) Woodrow Wilson came up with a plan for peace that he thought other countries would like….they didn’t In the end, Germany was stripped of much of it’s power as other nations teamed against them.

Wilson Fights For Peace: Wilson’s plan for peace would be rejected by the Allies Wilson’s plan was called the “Fourteen points” Included in his “points” were: No secret treaties Freedom of the Seas More free trade Reduction of arms Less colonialism League of Nations to promote peace Wilson’s 14 pts. In his own shorthand

The Allies Reject Wilson’s Plan: Wilson conceded on most of his 14 points in return for the establishment of the League of Nations – an international organization to address worldly problems The allied forces signed the: Treaty of Versailles Established nine new nations: Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia Broke up the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire empires Barred Germany from maintaining an army, required them to give land back to France, and forced them to pay $33 billion in reparations to the Allies

TREATY OF VERSAILLES The Treaty established nine new nations including;  Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia  The Treaty broke up the Austro- Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire empires  Harsh treatment towards Germany  No Air force,  100,000 men, no tanks  Give back all conquered land  Germany surrender all colonies  269 billion is reparations  Not allowed to join the League of Nations The Big Four met at Versailles

The Weaknesses Of The Treaty: The Treaty humiliated the Germans by forcing them to admit sole responsibility for the war - War-Guilt Clause Germany would never be able to pay $33 billion in reparations – war damages to other countries Germany was furious! – this would lead into WW II

 In the United States, the Treaty was hotly debated especially the League of Nations  Conservative senators, headed by Henry Cabot Lodge, were suspicious of the Leagues’ joint economic and military commitments  Many wanted the U.S. Congress to maintain the right to declare war  Didn’t want to get pulled into another European Conflict.  Ultimately, Congress rejected U.S. involvement in the very League the U.S. President had created DEBATE OVER TREATY AT HOME The U.S. never did join the league

THE LEGACY OF WWI  At home, the war strengthened both the military and the power of the government  The propaganda campaign provoked powerful fears in society  For many countries the war created political instability and violence that lasted for years  Russia established the first Communist state during the war  Americans called World War I, “The War to end all Wars” --- however unresolved issues would eventually drag the U.S. into an even deadlier conflict WWI million dead, more than half civilians. An additional 20 million wounded.