World War I C. Corning U.S. History (Photo German line Battle
of Verdun, 1916)
Slide 2
Essential Questions: 1. Should the U.S. intervene in foreign
conflicts? Why or why not? 2. When the U.S. interests are
threatened, how should the government respond? 3. Should the U.S.
go to war to make the world safe for democracy? Choose two
questions and discuss in groups of three.
Slide 3
MWH Review How much do you remember about WWI? Causes? Central
Powers: Allied Powers: Two Front War
Slide 4
Why does the U.S. stay neutral? Wilsons administration (and
many Americans) felt that the war was an European issue and had
nothing to do with the U.S. Socialists who felt this war was a
capitalist/imperialist struggle between England and Germany to
control markets in Asia agreed. So did pacifists who believed that
war was evil Not all Americans agreed with the policy of
neutrality. Many people felt close to Britain b/c of common
ancestry and democratic traditions Another issue many recently
naturalized citizens still had ties to their home nations However
U.S. businesses were making great profits from selling weapons to
the Allies and the U.S. govt made over 2 million dollars in war
loans
Slide 5
Why does the U.S. join the war? Philosophically the U.S. was
already supporting the Allies (war loans, weapons, etc.) Germans
resumed attacking U.S. ships in the Atlantic Lusitania in 1915
increased anti-German feeling and brought the threat of war with
the U.S. so Germans reduced the U-boat attacks By 1917 Germany
desperate for a quick victory, needed to starve Britain and France
out of supplies, unrestricted submarine warfare within British
waters (8 weeks 8 ships) Zimmerman Telegram Germanys foreign
minister, sent to Mexico encouraging it to join Germany and declare
war on U.S. April 2, 1917 Wilson delivers war resolution make the
world safe for democracy, passed in Congress within days.
Slide 6
U.S. Role in WWI The U.S. military was not prepared for war
needed to mobolize to build a large and efficient army. Selective
Service Act in May 1917 required men to register with the govt in
order to be randomly selected for military service, 28 million
registered, 3 million were called up, 2 million reached Europe
before armistice was signed, of these saw combat. 400,000 African
Americans served, most in France, in segregated units and excluded
from the Navy and the Marines, most to non- combat units. Eight
month training period in U.S. and Europe Women accepted in Army
Corps of Nurses but were denied rank, pay and benefits equitable to
men. Hello Girls recruited to help connect the HQ with the
frontlines for the first time. Women were accepted in Navy and
Marines in non-combat roles with rank!
Slide 7
U.S. Role in WWI U.S. needed to quickly build a fleet to
transport men, food and equipment 1. Shipyard workers received a
deferment classification or full exemption. 2. Public was
encouraged to support shipyard workers. 3. Shipyards used
fabrication techniques to build ships quickly. 4. Fed govt took
over commercial and private ships and converted them for
transatlantic war use.
Slide 8
U.S. Role in WWI Convoy system heavy guard of destroyers
protected merchant ships who were supplying the war effort Navy
laid bombs designed to keep Germany out of Atlantic Ocean. Fresh
boots hit the battlefield and brought a renewed enthusiasm to the
Allied troops Infantrymen called doughboys b/c of the white belts
they wore American Expeditionary Force led by General John J.
Pershing who called for a more aggressive combat AFE stopped German
advance, captured important enemy positions (see map page 592)
Slide 9
WWI On The Home Front Congress gave increased powers to
President Wilson, setting a precedent. War funded via Victory
Bonds, progressive income tax and excise tax on luxury items total
spent $35.5 billions Women worked in factories and in positions
traditionally held by men: factories, coal mines, railroad workers,
dockworkers, nurses, teachers and clerks. Increased publics support
for suffrage I can work like a man, why cant vote like one too?
Great Migration(1910-30) blacks move from the south to the northern
cities. Why? Looking for jobs in the war industries drop in
European immigrants (why?) Escape racial discrimination/segregation
in the South not successful! First race riots in the North. Attack
on Civil Liberties: anti-immigrant hysteria and the Espionage and
Sedition Act (1 st Amendment issues) Committee on Public
Information use of propaganda to increase support of the war.
Slide 10
End of the War Austro-Hungary surrendered to Allies on Nov 3,
1918. The same day German sailors mutinied and a revolution broke
out in Germany. Armistice signed by French General Foch and two
representatives of the new German Republic on November 11, 1918
Revolution in Germany had overthrown the monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II
Terms of the armistice were harsh Paris Peace Conference Jan 1919
what was the U.S.s role? 32 nations were represented at the
conference but three dominated the proceedings: Britain, France and
the U.S. Unfortunately these Big Three had very different
ideas/expectations
Slide 11
Paris Peace Conference France (Clemenceau) Germany must pay for
damages to France, be made weak enough that she could never attack
France again only possible by taking away her land/colonial
possessions, industry and armed forces. Britain (Lloyd George)
agreed with Wilsons 14 Points, understood that if the defeating
nations were treated too harshly that they would become angry and
resentful (and possibly cause future trouble) However British
public wanted Lloyd George to be tough on Germany, wanted revenge
for the deaths, injuries, economic depravations, etc. U.S.A.
(Wilson) - wanted to make future wars impossible by creating a fair
peace. He disagreed that Germany should pay cost of war he felt
many countries also were to blame.
Slide 12
Wilsons 14 Points Four Main Ideas 1. There must be no more
secret agreements between countries. If countries dealt openly with
each other, there would be less suspicion and misunderstanding in
the world. 2. Countries must reduce their armed forces and their
weapons. 3. People living under the rule of foreign empires ex:
Czechs in Austrian territory or Poles in Russian must be allowed to
form their own nations and choose their own governments (national
self- determination). 4. All countries should belong to a new
organization for keeping peace in the world League of Nations.
Slide 13
Treaty of Versailles June 1919 Treaty between Germany and the
Allied Powers very harsh and the German government were not
consulted about the specific terms until a few weeks before signing
it German people and military were upset so why sign? Threat of
Allied invasion! Established League of Nations, Germany to give up
land to neighbors, overseas colonies taken away and put under rule
of LofN, Germanys armed forces were reduced, Germany forbidden to
unite with Austria, creation of demilitarized zone on western
front, Germany war guilt clause, Germany to pay reparations (mainly
France)
Slide 14
New Europe Europe prior WWI:
http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/map01eu.htm
http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/map01eu.htm Europe after WWI:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/images/maps/
Europe1922.jpg
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/images/maps/
Europe1922.jpg What differences do you see? How does this affect
the U.S. in the short term? Long term?
Slide 15
League of Nations Objective was to keep the peace how? 1. If
any member of the League quarreled with another member, they would
talk about their differences rather than going to war. 2. If this
didnt work, and a League member was attacked, all other members
would to to its help collective security. Problems two major
issues: 1. The U.S. refused to join because they were not
interested in getting involved in the problems of other countries
(see page 607). Communist Russia and Germany were not allowed to
join. 2. League did not have an army to back up its decisions it
did have economic sanctions but couldnt force countries to stop
fighting.
Slide 16
Legacy of the War U.S. Consequences of WWI: 1. Accelerated
Americas emergence as the worlds greatest industrial power. 2.
Strengthened the U.S. military and the power of the federal
government. 3. Contributed to the movement of African Americans to
Northern cities 4. Intensified anti-immigrant and anti-radical
sentiments among mainstream Americans 5. Brought over one million
women into the workforce
Slide 17
Related Websites Guide to European Battlefields -
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ War Monuments
in France - http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/warmonuments-
pietas/index.html http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/warmonuments-
pietas/index.html Medical Issues -
http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/medical-
aspects/index.htmlhttp://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/medical-
aspects/index.html Black and White Photos -
http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/warpictures/index.html
http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/warpictures/index.html