1. Woodrow Wilson, War Message, April 2, 1917
The War to End All War
“The World must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for sacrifices we shall freely make”.
Woodrow Wilson, War Message, April 2, 1917

2. Germany moves America to War
Jan. 22, Wilson reaffirmed US neutrality rights & declared a negotiated “peace without victory” would work.
Jan. 31, Germany announced that they would resume “unrestricted” sub warfare- sinking all ships in the war zone.
Wilson broke all diplomatic relations with Germany- refused to go to war unless Germany took “overt” acts against the US
Why would Germany insist on unrestricted sub warfare?
Germany had been fighting to a bloody stalemate for 3 long years-
Hoped to make Britain submit before the US could intervene

3. Germany Provokes War
Wilson asked Congress for authority to arm US merchant ships
Mid-West Senators (“little group of willful men”) filibustered= demonstrated US isolationist tendencies.
**The Zimmermann Note (Telegram)- March 1, German foreign secretary (Arthur Zimmermann) secretly proposed a German-Mexican Alliance & hinted that if Mexico allied with Germany it could recover Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona.
the note was “intercepted” & published in US PAPERS= angered US citizens.
Oct communist Bolsheviks held a revolution & overthrew the tsars – Russia will pull out of the war
Early March German U-Boats sank 4 unarmed US merchant ships
April 2, Wilson asked Congress for war declaration
6 Senators & 50 representative (including the 1st woman in Congress -Jeanette Rankin) voted against going to war.

4. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION vs Vladimir Lenin Czar Nicholas
Czar Nicholas and the Romanov Family would be overthrown by Lenin who eventually would start the first Communistic state……

5. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION CAUSES EFFECTS Food and fuel shortages
Striking workers
Terrible loses in WWI
Czar was a weak ruler
Marxist (communist) propaganda spread by Lenin
EFFECTS
Czar overthrown
Russia pulls out of the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk)
Russia becomes a communistic country
Germany sends Zimmerman Note to Mexico

6. battle fronts

7. The Yanks Are Coming!

8. US ENTRY INTO WWI
congress actions

9. AMERICAN EXPEDTIONARY FORCES
pershing
General John J. Pershing, commanding general of the AEF. Referred to as the Doughboys and Yanks. 2 million in France by Sept. 1918

10. Americans in the Trenches

11. Was America dragged into the war by War industries & Moneyed Interests?
Weapons merchants & US banks were thriving before we entered the war
POST WWI, a Congressional investigation (The Nye Committee) will determine otherwise
Wilson showed reluctance in entering such a war-broke with American tradition of avoiding European wars
Wilson’s goal- “make the world safe for democracy”

12. Wilson’s Fourteen Points
Wilson became the moral leader of the Allied cause
Jan. 8, delivered his *Fourteen Point Plan to Congress
Purpose- keep Russia out of the war; also inspired the Allies, & demoralized the enemies.
Abolish secret treaties
Freedom of the seas (appealed the Germans & US)
Removal of barriers to trade (tariffs etc.)
Reduction of militarization (pleased all)
Adjust colonial claims- in the interest of colonizers & those people who were colonized
Helped destabilize old empires= national independence for millions
Independence for oppressed minorities (self-determination)
14th Point--- called for an international body for collective security (LATER CALLED the League of Nations)
Groups not applauding Wilson’s plan- Allied leaders & Republicans
The World was hopeful

13. America “Sells” the War
Committee on Public Information- headed by George Creel; purpose- sell the war to the American people.
GOAL: PUSH Wilson’s war aims to the world using
Propaganda
Employed 150,000 at home & overseas
Tactics: “Four minute men” (75,000) delivered propaganda speeches at movie houses etc.
Posters, leaflets, pamphlets, movies “The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin” & “To Hell with the Kaiser”
Music of George M. Cohan “Over There”- patriotic
* Creel over sold Wilson’s ideals-the world expected too much

14. Committee on Public Information
presidents actions

18. Enforcing Loyalty & Stifling Dissent
German-American = 8 million out of 100 million; one parent was foreign-born
Most were loyal to the US
Americans targeted German-Americans during the war (tar & feathered, beaten)
German books were banned, German-composed music banned, German classes canceled
*The Espionage Act & Sedition Acts made it possible to arrest anyone suspected of espionage & outlawed anyone speech that seemed treasonous.
1,900 convictions ( targeted anti-war Socialists & radical union members)
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) “Wobblies”; leader William “Big Bill” Haywood arrested with 99 associates.
Eugene V. Debs- sentenced to 10 years; pardoned 1921

19. *Schenck v. United States 1919
Charles Schenck- Secretary for the Socialist Party issued pamphlets to men of draft age urging resistance to the draft. He was arrested under the Sedition Act.
Supreme Court affirmed the legality of laws passed by arguing that freedom of speech could be curbed when it posed “ a clear and present danger” to the nation.
i.e. “ yelling fire in a crowded theater”

20. Voluntary Methods: Factories & War
There was very little preparation before the war.
1915- Council of National Defense created- to study problems of economic war mobilization.
No one knew how much steel or powder the country could produce
Shipbuilding program- of little military consequence
Beefing up the army with 100,000 regulars (ranked 15th in the world)
Obstacles:
States-rights Democrats
Business people

21. *The War Industries Board- 1918
Led by Bernard Baruch
US agency: coordinated production of war materials in the US; increased war production by 20%.
Set production quotas, allocated raw materials, mitigated labor disputes
Disabled within days of the armistice (cease fire) January 1919

22. Labor & the War Effort
AFL- led by Samuel Gompers supported the war- “Labor will win the war”
Work or Fight Law (1918)- any unemployed man could be immediately drafted- kept labor strikes to a min.
The National War Labor Relations Board- led by Taft; mediated labor disputes to prevent strikes= higher wages & 8 hour days.
**The IWW-union whose workers worked in worst conditions for lowest pay protested the war and became targets of the government.
Labor’s Reward:
Membership in AFL more than doubled (3 million)
Real wages (after adjusting for inflation) rose 20%
Recognition of unions had not occurred yet
Wartime inflation was cutting into wage gains (prices doubled)

23. Labor and the War
Patriotism could not stop all strikes during the war.
6,000 strikes (including the largest in US history)
**1919 Steel Strike- largest; 250,000 Pittsburgh steel workers & involved government clashes with workers.
Steel company refused to negotiate- brought in AA strike breakers.
* A dozen workers dead.
* Steel strike collapsed= set labor back a decade

24. *The Great Migration
Beginning millions of African-Americans fled the South & moved north to take jobs in war factories.
Effects: changes the make up of cities like Chicago, lead to racial unrest
Riot- East St. Louis, Missouri (July 1917)- 9 whites; 40 blacks dead.
Chicago Riots- African-Americans moved to Chicago; used as strike breakers & moved into working class white neighborhoods= racial unrest .
July week race riot= 15 whites & 23 blacks dead.

25. league cartoon1

26. Chicago Race Riots 1919

27. Women Suffrage & The War
Women flooded into factories & fields during the war.
The war split the women’s movement deeply
Progressive era militant feminist opposed the war= Alice Paul organized the National Woman’s Party & demonstrated against the war with marches & hunger strikes “Kaiser Wilson” marches
The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) – led by Carrie Chapman Catt held most members- supported the war.
If women support the war-they can help shape the peace
Wilson noticed women’s support as vital & finally endorsed suffrage (NY, Michigan, Oklahoma, SD gave suffrage)
19th Amendment (1920) gave all women the right to vote.
Most women workers gave up war jobs-after the war

28. Post War Life for Women:
Department of Labor created the Women’s Bureau to protect women in the
workplace.
Most women gave up their jobs in war factories after the war.
Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act (1921): federally funded instruction in maternal
and infant care.

29. The War Economy
Voluntary Programs- successful= food production increased by 25%, food exports to Allies increased times 3.
US issued no ration cards (done in Europe)
The Food Administration- led by Herbert Hoover; urged food conservation.
Used propaganda pamphlets & programs
“wheatless Wednesdays” , “meatless Tuesdays”
“victory gardens”-
Congress restricted foodstuffs that would be used to manufacture alcohol= only helped the wave of prohibition in the country.
th Amendment- prohibited all alcoholic drinks.

30. U. S. Food Administration

31. U. S. School Garden Army

32. National War Garden Commission

33. The War Economy
2. The Fuel Administration- called on Americans to save energy; “heatless Mondays”, “lightless nights”
Standard Time Act (1918)- set daylight savings time to conserve fuel for the first time nationally; ended nationally at the end of WWI.

34. U. S. Fuel Administration

35. Liberty and victory loans raised $21 billion.
US ENTRY INTO WWI
3.Financing the war:
Dept. Of Treasury
Sale of war bonds.
Liberty and victory loans raised $21 billion.
Raised income taxes
($112 Billion)
congress actions

37. Government Forced Actions of the War
1917- US government took control of the nation’s Railroads.
Seized enemy merchant ships in US ports
2. Draft/Conscription Act- registration of all males aged (exempted key industrial workers only)
Army grew from 100,000 to 4 million
337,000 “slackers” escaped draft; 4,000 conscientious objectors
Women admitted into armed forces for 1st time= 11,000 in the navy, 269 in Marines
African-Americans served in segregated units led by white officers; not allowed to fight early on
US troops (‘doughboys”) supposed to get 6 months training in US & 2 overseas=most did not.

39. WOMEN PARTICIPATION
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40. WOMEN PARTICIPATION
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41. WOMEN PARTICIPATION
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42. Results of This New Organization of the Economy Is it a move towards socialism?
Unemployment virtually disappeared.
Expansion of “big government.”
Excessive govt. regulations in eco.
Some gross mismanagement --> overlapping jurisdictions.
Close cooperation between public and private sectors.
Unprecedented opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

43. Fighting in France
1918- Russia pulled troops out of the war (due to Bolshevik Revolution & Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
Germany pulled troops from the eastern front to the western front in France.
Hoped to knock Britain off in 6 months before the US could get troops over (took US 1 year to get troops over)
Allies had trouble shipping as well
American troops fought in France, Belgium, Italy, & Russia
5,000 US troops to northern Russia (Archangel), 10,000 US troops to Siberia & 70,000 Japanese soldiers= prevent Japan from getting control of Siberia, rescue 45,000 Czech troops, take military supplies from Bolsheviks
* Bolsheviks resented American intrusion

44. America Helps Fight the Hun
Spring Germany launched attack on the Western Front (500,000 troops)
Supreme Allied Commander- Ferdinand Foch
May the German army was within 40 miles of Paris
US troops (less than 30,000) newly arrived- helped stop an advance at Chateau-Thierry (1st significant engagement of US troops on foreign soil)
July the German advance had ground to a halt
Second Battle of the Marne- Foch launched a counteroffensive (begins German withdrawal).
Sept US divisions joined 4 French divisions to push the Germans back at St. Mihiel
Gen. John Pershing- assigned a 85 mile area to Swiss border- Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Sept. 26-Nov. 11, 1918 (47 days battle; 1.2 million US troops)

45. German offensive in the summer of 1918 to capture Paris, France and win the war.
With the help of the U.S., the French and British were able to stop the German advance.
Germans surrender and sign an armistice on Nov. 11, 1918 to end the war.
battle fronts

46. troop buildup

47. American Heroes
Alvin York- former conscientious objector; captured 132 Germans & killed 20 at Meuse-Argonne Forest battle.
Eddie Rickenbacker- American flying Ace; 26 verified kills.

48. Germany Surrenders
Oct negotiated with Wilson to arrange an armistice (cease-fire) based on his 14 Point Plan.
US demands- Kaiser must be deposed (died in Holland 23 years later)
Armistice signed November 11, 1918 (today celebrated as Veteran’s Day)
US Contributions:
Food, munitions, oil, credit, manpower
Prospect of endless US troops boosted morale of Allies
US not the main supplier like WWII.

49. Peace
What form would it take (idealized peace-14 Points) or a return to colonialism?
Wilson seen as the moral leader of the world (Moral Diplomacy)
Wilson Stumbled at Home:
Wilson campaigned for Democrats in the congressional elections of 1918= voters gave Republicans a majority in Congress.
Wilson goes to Europe personally (seen by Republicans as grandstanding- 1st president to travel to Europe)
Wilson did not include a single Senate Republican in the European peace trip (snubbed Henry Cabot Lodge Republican Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

50. Countries were convinced that his 14 points could “end all war”.
TREATY OF VERSAILLES
big4
When President Wilson went to Paris, France, he was welcomed like he was a God.
Countries were convinced that his 14 points could “end all war”.
But, the hatred of the Allied nations led to the Treaty of Versailles to be a “Treaty of Revenge” against Germany.

51. The Versailles Treaty
“The Big Four” met in France to negotiate a peace.
Vittorrio Orlando – Italy
Georges Clemenceau – France
David Lloyd George- Britain
Woodrow Wilson- US
Germany not allowed to participate
Starting point- 14 Points Plan & “peace without victory” was the starting point
14th Point –League of Nations (created by treaty Feb without US joining)

52. Wilson Forced to Compromise
TREATY OF VERSAILLES
big4
BIG FOUR
Wilson Forced to Compromise
Although Wilson claimed that he was not interested in the spoils, or rewards, of war, his Allied colleagues were interested in making the Central Powers pay for war damages.
Wilson was forced to compromise on his 14 Points so he could negotiate for the League of Nations.
David Lloyd George Vitorio Orlando George Clemeneau Woodrow Wilson Great Britain Italy France U.S.

53. LEAGUE OF NATIONS
One of Wilson’s ideas, the formation of a League of Nations.
The League of Nations was designed to bring the nations of the world together to ensure peace and security.
Collective Security of larger nations to keep world peace.

54. Outcome of the Versailles Treaty
Resorted to prewar colonialism- victors could claim conquered territories (“protectorates”) as “trustees” of the League of Nations.
* Syria went to France
* Iraq went to Britain
New European map
Germany forced to pay huge “Indemnity” payments for starting the war; lost colonies, had to admit guilt for the war
* Treaty was not an idealistic success- only 4 of 23 Wilson ideas adopted.

55. New Countries Czechoslovakia Austria Hungary Yugoslavia Poland
Lithuania
Finland
Latvia
Estonia
Turkey
Iraq

56. But, Allied countries had their own self-interest and agendas in mind.
TREATY OF VERSAILLES
big4
Wilson believed he could “end all war” with his 14 points for world peace.
But, Allied countries had their own self-interest and agendas in mind.
Wilson had to compromise most of his 14 points to get his “league of nations”
Wilson warned Allies not to be to harsh on Germany because it could lead to future problems.

57. Ratifying the Treaty at Home
US Senate must approve the treaty for the US to participate (65 votes)
*Irreconcilables (the Battalion of Death)-led by Republican Henry Cabot Lodge & core group of isolationists.
William Borah- Idaho
Hiram Johnson- California
Mainly concerned about Article X of the League- US morally bound to aid any member of the League of Nations
Congress wanted to reserve its war powers, avoid foreign entanglements

58. ARTICLE 10 Problems Senator Lodge Had With LON
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
league
ARTICLE 10
The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members of the League. In case of any such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression, the Council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled.
Problems Senator Lodge Had With LON
Power of Congress to declare war
Get US involved in a war with no self-interest
How would it effect the Monroe Doctrine Policy?
Will the LON guarantee a just and lasting peace?
Goes against our policy of no “foreign alliances”

59. league cartoon1

60. Wilson Promoted the Treaty in the US
Wilson returned to the US July to promote the Treaty & League
Cabot Lodge hoped to “Americanize” it-used delay tactics
Wilson traveled the US to promote the League= had a stroke (paralyzed the left side of his body-blinded in left eye- for 7 months did not meet with anyone)
Senate voted no on the Versailles Treaty (twice)
Wilson told Democrats to veto the Treaty because of Lodge amendments that weakened it

61. LEAGUE OF NATIONS Afghanistan—1934 Luxembourg--1920
Albania—1920 (taken over by Italy Mexico--1930
in 1939) Netherlands
Argentina New Zealand
Australia Nicaragua (withdrew, 1936)
Austria (taken over by Germany Norway
In 1938) Panama
Belgium Paraguay (withdrew, 1936)
Bolivia Persia
Brazil (withdrew, 1926) Peru (withdrew,1939)
Bulgaria Poland
Canada Portugal
Chile (withdrew, 1938) Romania (withdrew, 1940)
China Siam
Colombia Spain (withdrew, 1939)
Costa Rica—1920, withdrew, Sweden
Cuba Switzerland
Czechoslovakia Turkey--1932
Denmark Union of South Africa
Dominican Republic— USSR—1934, expelled, 1939
Ecuador— United Kingdom
Egypt— Uruguay
El Salvador (withdrew, 1937) Venezuela (withdrew, 1938)
Estonia— Yugoslavia
Ethiopia—1923
Finland—1920
France
Germany—1926, withdrew, 1933
Greece
Guatemala (withdrew, 1936)
Haiti (withdrew, 1942)
Honduras, (withdrew, 1936)
Hungary—1922, withdrew, 1939
India
Iraq—1932
Ireland—1923
Italy (withdrew, 1937)
Japan (withdrew, 1933)
Latvia—1921
Liberia
Lithuania—1921

62. LEAGUE OF NATIONS
league

63. Significance of US failure to sign the Treaty
US failed to join the League
US made separate peace treaties with belligerent nations
Weakens of the League of Nations & Treaty of Versailles led to WWII???

64. Are historians and the Europeans being hypocritical?
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
league cartoon
“…there can be no doubt that the orphaned League of Nations was undercut by the refusal of the mightiest power on the globe to join it.” p. 717
Are historians and the Europeans being hypocritical?

65. Could the world eliminate war?
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
league cartoon1
Was Wilson’s League of Nations and his belief in “ending all war” based on idealism or reality?
Could the world eliminate war?

66. Election of 1920 1st election in which women can vote
Republicans (united again)-nominate Warren G. Harding (Ohio) & VP running mate Calvin Coolidge
Platform: appealed to pro-League & anti-league Republicans (“would work for a league but not the League”)
Advocated for a “RETURN TO NORMALCY”
Democrats (met in San Francisco) nominated James M. Cox (Ohio) & Franklin Roosevelt as VP.
Platform- pro-League of Nations
Socialist Eugene V. Debs (imprisoned) garnered 919,000 votes

67. POSTWAR ADJUSTMENTS Return to a peacetime industry and economy
War boosted American economy and industry.
United States became a world power, largest creditor and wealthy nation.
Soldiers were hero’s but found that jobs were scarce.
African American soldiers, despite their service returned to find continued discrimination.
The Lost Generation of men who were killed in WWI.
US returned to neutrality and isolation.
Did not accept the responsibility of a world power that President Wilson believed the US should take on.