1. 1914-1918 and following “Creating America” textbook
Chapter 10: World War I
and following
“Creating America” textbook

2. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Causes of World War I
- Europe was seen as a “powder keg – it only needs a spark to set the whole thing off” due to some main causes…

3. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Causes of World War I (con’t)
A) Imperialism: countries were competing for land in Africa, Asia, etc. and Germany wanted to keep up
B) Nationalism: People in Europe loved their nation and were very protective, loyal, and proud. Some ethnic groups wanted their own country, rather than be ruled by others.

4. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Causes of World War I (con’t)
C) Militarism: Many countries believed that they needed a very strong military, building up their army and navy forces
D) Alliances: Different countries formed secret treaties with another country to help protect in case another country attacked

5. Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Sent to Serbia
To help relations
between Austria-
Hungary and the
Serbs
Serbs hated it!
Did not want to
deal with them!
Seen as invaders
What happened?
(see History
Channel video…)
Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg one hour before………. June 28, 1914

6. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Causes of World War I (con’t)
The “Spark”: In June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot by a Serbian man in Sarajevo.
When Austria-Hungary found out that the gov’t of Serbia gave the man the weapons, they declared war.
Princip (the assassin)

7. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Causes of World War I (con’t)
- Russia helped Serbia, so then Germany went to war against France, and then Britain had to help them, and so on and so on…
- This led Europe to split into two different “sides”:
The Central Powers and the Allied Powers

8. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Who’s on What Side???
- The Central Powers: Germany, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary
- The Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Great Britain, Italy and seven other countries (and later the United States)
See map on next slide…

10. REVIEW Who was on which side? Central Powers: Allies: Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Bulgaria
Russia
France
Great Britain
Italy
Japan
United States (1917)
Why isn’t the United States involved at first?

11. America did not get
involved because:
The Monroe Doctrine
worked both ways (we
can’t get involved in
Europe’s problems, just
like they couldn’t for ours
2) America didn’t really
want to get involved in
this mess…unless it had
to become involved

12. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Stalemate in the Trenches
- the French were able to hold off Germany’s attack at the First Battle of the Marne in 1914, but…..
- both sides then dug in for trench warfare along the Western front
See map next page

14. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Stalemate in the Trenches
- neither side could win and each attack was met with death
- Battle of Somme (July-Nov 1916) led to 1.2 million dead/wounded and only 7 miles of land was gained for the Allies
More on trench warfare…
PBS website/map

15. Youtube clip from “The Somme” from BBC trailer (2)

16. Youtube clip “The Somme” w/death & over the top (2)

17. Youtube “The Somme” Sneak Peek #2

18. Trench Warfare

19. Life in the Trenches

20. What did a trench look like (in color)?
This website provides a nice link to see what a trench looks like from the BBC’s mini-series on television called “The Trench”
Not only was the actual fighting terrible, but the waiting, the food (rats, etc), “shell shock” (post traumatic stress syndrome) and trench foot also made the ‘down time’ in the trench terrible too.
Next slide - a picture of trench foot

22. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
War of New Technology:
- new technology led to more deaths
- British tanks were used to fight and cross the trenches
- machine guns fired over 600 bullets a minute, killing efficiently
- poison gas was used by both sides, burning and blinding soldiers

23. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
War of New Tech (con’t):
- airplanes were used for the first time in warfare during WWI (see Flyboys clips)
- “ace” pilots like the German “Red Baron” became famous
- German submarines, called U-Boats sank many ships at sea
See “WWI Tech” video
Youtube “Red Baron”)

24. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
America’s Path To War
- President Woodrow Wilson was against America joining the war, and many Americans agreed with him.
- German U-boats started sinking British merchant (supply) ships in response to Britain’s naval blockade of German ports

25. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
America’s Path To War
- in May 1915, the Germans sank the British passenger ship Lusitania
killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans
- Wilson demanded an apology and a promise that the Germans would not use unrestricted submarine warfare (sinking merchant ships without warning) and they agreed and we accepted it
Note in Bottle After Lusitania Disaster

26. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
America’s Path To War
- in 1917, Germany started sinking ships full-force again, knowing it would get us in the war (but they hoped they could end it before we got there)
- the Zimmerman Telegram was discovered, which had Germany promising Mexico their land (Texas, New Mex, AZ) in return for fighting against America in the war
- this was the last straw, and the U.S. declared war on Germany (1917)

27. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Revolution in Russia
- By 1917, Russia’s army was in trouble and the country was starving
- the Bolshevik Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin, occurred and a communist government was established
- Communism is where the government runs/owns the economy
Vladimir Lenin

28. Section 1: War Breaks Out in Europe
Revolution in Russia
- Lenin signed a peace treaty with Germany in 1918, and Russia pulled out of the war
- this let Germany send all of its troops, etc. to France (before they had been split fighting both them and Russia)
- France was in big trouble and the Allies really needed the United States to hurry up and get there!
Endangered:
French!
See map…

30. Moving to Section 2 America Joins the Fight
What does America do now that is is joining the war? What preparations?
How does the War change now that America is part of it?

31. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
Raising an Army & a Navy
The U.S. needed soldiers, so it started the Selective Service Act in 1917 (all males between must sign up for military)
By 1918’s end, 3 million troops had been drafted to the forces
About 2 million soldiers went to Europe to fight
Led by Gen. John J. Pershing (of Nebraska!), they fought in Europe under his command

32. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
Raising an Army & a Navy
Nearly 50,000 women also served in WWI
They were allowed to serve in the military for the first time
Nurses made up most of the over 1,000 who went to Europe
Also worked as interpreters, switchboard operators, entertainers, drivers, etc.

33. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
Raising an Army & a Navy
Around 400,000 African-Amer. troops also served, more than half in France
They faced discrimination from white U.S. soldiers and at first were not allowed to be drafted
African-American rights groups back in the U.S. helped pressure the U.S. Army to create two Af.-Am. Units (segregated of course) :-(

34. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
American Ships Make a Difference
German U-boats were sinking supply ships very often
The Allies started a convoy system to protect ships
Destroyer ships would surround supply ships to protect them
The Allies started laying down sea-mines in the water to blow up U-boats as well
This reduced the # of ship losses

35. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
U.S. Troops Enter the War
In 1917 the U.S. could send 14,000 troops to help
It took about a year to get the rest of the troops, etc. to Europe
Germany rushed its troops from Russia (since Russia signed a peace treaty with Germany) to France to quickly try to take France before the U.S. got there
They reached the Marne river (50 miles from Paris) again…
To the Rescue!
= HELP!
France
PBS website/map

36. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
U.S. Troops Enter the War
In May 1918, one million U.S. troops arrived for help
U.S. troops defeated Germans at the town of Cantigny, France
Then, they held off the German advance at Chateau-Thierry
Gen. Pershing’s troops then took over the Belleau Wood forest, but lost many men
U.S. troops were very helpful!

37. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
Pushing the German’s Back
The 2nd Battle of the Marne in summer 1918 was a turning point in the war’s outcome
German and Allied troops (including about 85,000 U.S.) fought for 3 days & the Allies won & forced the Germans back
This basically saved France and was the beginning of the end for the German troops
PBS website/map

38. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
Pushing the German’s Back
Some heroes of the War:
Alvin York: killed 25 German machine gunners and took 132 captives after surrender
Eddie Rickenbacker: U.S. “ace” pilot who shot down 26 planes
Four African-Amer. combat units were honored by the French (they fought under French commanders) for fighting 191 days and not losing any ground - well done!

39. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
Germany Stops Fighting
In early November, 1918 German navy mutinied (rebelled against its commanders) and its allies dropped out
Nov. 9th, the Kaiser resigned
On November 11, 1918 at 11am (11th hour,11th day, of the 11th month) the Germans agreed to stop the fighting and the war was now over
We now celebrate this day as Veteran’s Day!

40. Section 2: America Joins the Fight
Germany Stops Fighting
The aftermath of the war:
About 8.5 million soldiers dead
Around 21 million wounded
About 12 million civilian deaths from starvation, bombing, disease, etc.
Total of about 20 million deaths, all from one “spark” that started it all

41. Moving to Sec. 3 “Life on the Home Front”
How did Americans back in the USA support the war effort?
What else was going on in the U.S. during this time?
What disease killed many people during this period?

42. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
Mobilizing for War
The U.S. first needed money in order to fund the war effort
We spent $35.5 billion dollars on WWI - with 2/3 of the money raised by war bonds.
War bonds were loans given by citizens that they gave to the government to be paid back later
Liberty Loan drives used celebrities, posters, etc. to encourage people to support it

43. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
Mobilizing for War
Schoolchildren collected items that could help such as tin cans, paper, toothpaste tubes, etc.
Others grew “Victory Gardens” to feed their families so that other food could go to soldiers
Women’s groups got together to sew and knit clothing, etc. items
Wheatless Mon. and Wed. (no bread), meatless Tuesdays, no Sunday drives, etc. all helped save materials, etc.

44. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
Mobilizing for War
The U.S. government took over much of the economy to control materials made, prices, and labor agreements to keep production up
The gov’t also produced a lot of propaganda from writers, artists, film-makers, etc. to rally Americans to support the effort
Why would the government go to such lengths to do this?
Why would Americans go to these lengths? Would they still?

45. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
Intolerance and Suspicion
Why did Garland, Nebraska change their name during this time?
Why did many Lutheran churches change the language they used during their church services during this time?
Discuss…

46. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
Intolerance and Suspicion
Anti-German propaganda got Americans fired up for the war but also turned them against anything German in America
Towns changed names, sauerkraut became “liberty cabbage”, hamburger became “Salisbury steak”, and anti-immigrant issues arose as well

47. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
Intolerance and Suspicion
In 1917, Congress passed the Espionage Act which fined or sent people to prison for anti-war activities
In 1918, Congress passed the Sedition Act which made it illegal to even criticize the war
Hundreds went to jail and the Supreme Court upheld the laws in it’s ruling that Free Speech (1st amendment) could be limited if it caused panic, etc. especially during wartime
What would Americans’ response to these laws be like today? Discuss…

48. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
New Jobs & the Great Migration
America needed workers because so many soldiers were fighting overseas
Between 1910 and 1920 about 500,000 Af.-Amer. Moved to the north to work in factories that had rejected them earlier
Cities such as Detroit, Chicago, New York, etc. gained many new African-American workers hoping for a new start away from Southern discrimination
See map next slide

50. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
New Jobs & the Great Migration
New jobs with the railroad and agriculture opened up in the southwest United States
The Mexican revolution of 1910 sent many Mexicans to southwest America for work and safety
Women also got new job opportunities as they replaced men workers in steel mills, assembly lines, etc. and they did well
This helped lead to women getting the right to vote (19th amendment)

51. Section 3: Life on the Home Front
The Flu Epidemic of 1918
A deadly flu epidemic swept the globe in 1918, killing more than 20 million people by 1919
It was spread around the world by soldiers and had no known cure
Over 500,000 Americans died as people tried to protect themselves by shutting down schools, etc.
More than 1/4 of U.S. army soldiers got the flu and the German army was hit harder also

52. Moving to Section 4 How did World War I change the world?
How did it change relations between countries?
What was done to try to prevent another World War?
How did it effect the countries that fought in the war?

53. Europe at start of WWI
Europe after WWI
How are they different?
How and why did this happen?

54. Section 4: The Legacy of WW1
Wilson’s 14 Points
President Wilson offered Congress 14 points for world peace. Highlights…
Smaller military forces
No more secret treaties/alliances
Free trade and freedom on the seas
New country boundaries in Europe (more countries made)
14th Point: Form a League of Nations to help negotiate and prevent major wars from breaking out
This was the beginning basically of the current United Nations

55. Section 4: The Legacy of WW1
Treaty of Versailles
Leaders in Europe did not agree with Wilson on some things, and they wanted Germany to pay heavily for their part in the war
The Treaty forced Germany to accept full blame, took away their colonies, and made them pay $33 billion in reparations to pay for the destruction caused by the war
The treaty also divided up land from Austria-Hungary and Ottomon empire into smaller, independent countries (like Yugoslavia & Poland)

56. Section 4: The Legacy of WW1
Treaty of Versailles
The League of Nations was also part of the treaty and was heavily debated
The U.S. Senate argued for weeks on whether to accept the treaty and join the League of Nations (didn’t want to get involved in Europe’s problems again)
Wilson toured the country intensely to try to drum up support for the League of Nations & the need for the U.S. to join

57. Section 4: The Legacy of WW1
Treaty of Versailles
Wilson suffered a stroke in Sept, 1919 and never fully recovered
The U.S. didn’t accept membership into the League of Nations
The reparations, etc. in the treaty helped “sow the seeds” with hurt feelings in Europe that helped lead to WWII

58. Section 4: The Legacy of WW1
Strikes and the Red Scare
Labor unions and a number of labor strikes in the U.S. hurt production & the economy
Some saw this as the beginnings of Communism rising in the U.S.
Jan Attorney General Palmer orders agents to raid homes of suspected “radicals” (“Palmer raids”)
This was done without warrants (Constitutional?) and led to anti-foreigner actions in the U.S. as well
Overall, a dark spot on U.S. history

59. Section 4: The Legacy of WW1
Racial Tensions Increase
Due to the Great Migration, whites and African-Americans competed for jobs and housing in northern cities
In East St. Louis in 1917, blacks were brought in to replace striking white union members, causing tension and anger in the city
A shooting incident led to a full scale riot there
In 1919, racial tensions eventually led to race riots in 25 cities, one that lasted for 13 days in Chicago, killing 38 people
- Omaha had a terrible race riot in Sept. 1919, ending with a lynching
Weblink of the story… (not pleasant)
Omaha, NE Sept. 19, 1919

60. Section 4: The Legacy of WW1
Longing for Normalcy
By 1920, labor strikes, race riots, the Red Scare and the League of Nations debate had worn citizens out and voters wanted a break
Warren G. Harding, Republican candidate for the 1920 Presidential election promised a “return to normalcy” for America
Harding won a landslide election and Americans looked toward a new hope and a new beginning…
Sound familiar???????
Next slide for closure…

61. Closing Thoughts… The world after WW1…
New countries in Europe & League of Nations (but without the USA in it)
An angry and wounded Germany
Communism in Russia
The USA was tired of war, global issues, etc. and was ready for a new President
On the horizon… the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression