1. The Great War
World War I

2. Organizing Principle
The continents of Europe and North America had developed in parallel fashion since the mid- 1800s. After the turn of the century, the same political and economic transformations that had taken place in the United States, pitted many European nations against each other. The tensions in Europe mounted and resulted in the outbreak of War in The United States put their head in the sand as isolationist sentiments ruled the day. However, as The Great War drifted into its third year, President Wilson had his arm twisted by the behemoth of conflict. Wilson’s position on neutrality quickly changed after diplomatic relations with Germany collapsed. Wilson justified his actions by proclaiming that the United States was fighting for a greater cause…a war to end all wars.

3. Isolationism to “Wilsonian” Idealism
American tradition
War spurred opposition
Midwest—insulation
Jeannette Rankin
1st female representative
Pacifist
Idealism
“To make the world safe for democracy”
Righteousness—not riches or conquest

4. Wilson’s Fourteen Points
Wilson’s War Aims (Jan. 8, 1918)
Three categories:
Political boundaries
International conduct
League of Nations
Highlights:
Abolishment of secret treaties
Freedom of the seas
Removal of economic barriers
Reduction of armaments
Adjustment of colonial claims
Self determination
International organization that prevents wars

5. Creel Commission Committee on Public Information Mobilized the minds
George Creel
150,000 workers
Posters, leaflets, booklets, movies, songs, et cetera…
Oversold Wilson’s ideals
Pro-war propaganda

6. Enforcing Unity German-Americans discriminated against
Beaten, tarred and feathered, lynched*
Banning:
Music, literature, instruction in foreign language
Liberty cabbage, liberty steak, and liberty pups
Espionage and Sedition Acts ( )
Opposing the war was a federal offense
Targeted labor
Eugene V. Debs
IWW
Schenck v. United States (1919)
Suspension of free speech upheld by SCOTUS

7. The Nation’s Factories Go to War
Unpreparedness?
Council of National Defense (1915)
Economic mobilization
Shipbuilding programs
War Industries Board
Production (?)
Capitalism=chaos
Government control (?)
Bernard Baruch—March 1918
Urge mass production
Standardization of products
National War Labor Board
Leader: Howard Taft
encourages business to grant concessions to labor
Does not support organization of labor

8. Suffering Until Suffrage
Progressive women split
National Woman’s Party
Pacifists
NAWSA
Supported war to shape peace
Wilson endorses suffrage
19th amendment (1920)
Women in the workforce
Filled the labor void in manufacturing
Women’s Bureau established
National American Woman Suffrage Association

9. War Economy The Food Administration The Fuel Administration
Herbert Hoover—encourages conservation
“Victory gardens”
Food production: increased by 25%
Food exports: tripled
Solidifying Prohibition
German beer companies
The Fuel Administration
Conservation
Expanding our fleet
U.S. seized enemy merchant vessels
Increased production of tonnage

10. Wartime Economy Treasury Department Cost of war Liberty Bonds Taxes
32 billion
Liberty Bonds
23 billion
Taxes
10 billion

11. War Without Stint Military Struggle Soldiers U.S. Navy Bolsheviks
Trench stalemate
Soldiers
Selective Service Act (1917)
Draft—3 million
Volunteer—2 million
U.S. Navy
Convoy system
Bolsheviks
American Expeditionary Force (1918)
The Doughboys
John J. Pershing
11/11 at 11:00 am
Armistice Day

12. The Paris Peace Conference
The “Big Four”
Woodrow Wilson (US)
David Lloyd George (UK)
Georges Clemenceau (FR)
Vittorio Orlando (ITL)
Talking points
National self-interest dominates
Punish the Germans!
Bolshevik threat
Treaty contains League of Nations

13. Ratification Opposition in the Senate Wilson refuses compromise
Henry Cabot Lodge
Republican Agenda
Reservations (14) and amendments
Wilson refuses compromise
Public tour
Becomes ill
League membership rejected