1. The Great War

2. Outbreak of WWI A world of “isms” Militarism Nationalism Imperialism
The belief that a nation needs a large military force
Nationalism
The feeling of pride, loyalty, and protectiveness of one’s country
Imperialism
The policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over a weaker nation.
Isolationism
Avoiding involvement in other countries affairs
Alliances
Agreement between countries

3. Immediate cause of the outbreak of WWI
Outbreak of War
Immediate cause of the outbreak of WWI
Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were murdered in Sarajevo June 28, 1914
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; soon after other European countries were following (because of alliances)—leading to the outbreak of WWI

4. World War I Opponents Allies Central Powers Great Britain France
Russia
Serbia
Belgium
United States
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Bulgaria
Ottoman Empire

5. Reasons for U.S. involvement in War
Inability to remain neutral
Sinking of American merchant ships
Alliance with Great Britain
German submarine warfare
German u-boats torpedoed several merchant ships without warning—unrestricted warfare.
Sinking of the Lusitania
Germany torpedoed the British passenger ship killing 1,198 people including 128 Americans
U.S. economic and political ties to Great Britain
The Zimmerman Telegram

6. World War I: The United States enters the war
The Untied States Declares War
Wilson is reelected in 1916 and events quickly turned the US towards war.
Zimmerman Telegram:
German official named Arthur Zimmerman, instructed the German ambassador to propose an alliance between Mexico and Germany.
Germany would help Mexico take back New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona from the U.S.
Plan fails when British intelligence intercepts the Zimmerman Telegram.
In March 1917, Germany continues with unrestricted submarine warfare; sinking three American ships.
Wilson asks for a declaration of War, April 6, 1917

7. Step 1: Building up the Military
The Home Front
Step 1: Building up the Military
Selected Service
All men between the ages of were required to register for the draft and a lottery randomly determined the order they were called.
2.8 million men were drafted and 2 million volunteered.
African Americans
400,000 were drafted only 42,000 served in combat.
Encountered discrimination and prejudice in combat.
Served in segregated units.

8. Step 2: Organizing Industry
HOMEFRONT
Step 2: Organizing Industry
Congress creates special boards to coordinate mobilization of economy.
Used to emphasize cooperation between big businesses and government

9. HOMEFRONT Food & Fuel Fuel Paying for War
Food Administration; Herbert Hoover
To conserve food Americans followed:
Wheatless Monday’s, Meatless Tuesdays, Porkless Thursdays
Victory gardens
Fuel
Introduced daylight savings to conserve energy.
Heatless Mondays
Shortened work weeks for non war production factories.
Paying for War
Bonds: American people were loaning the government money.
Victory bonds

10. Step 3: Mobilizing for War
HOMEFRONT
Step 3: Mobilizing for War
National War Labor Board
Mediate labor disputes.
Pressured industry to grant wage increases, 8 hour workdays, right of unions
Women’s Support Industry
Filled vacancies in the industry.
Shipping industries
Railroad industries
Jobs were not permanent for women.

11. Women First time served in armed forces as
Nurses, clerical duties, radio operators, electricians, pharmacists, photographers, chemists and torpedo assemblers
11,000 women served in Navy
Army only allowed to enlist in Army Nursing Corps: 20,000 served and 10,000 served overseas