6-3: World War I, 1914-1918

Overview

▪ Ongoing debates about U.S. role in the world

▪ How to best achieve national security?

Neutrality▪ Beginning of the War

▪ Wilson issued neutrality proclamation

▪ Urged belligerents to respect neutral rights

▪ Submarine Warfare

▪ British blockade of Germany

▪ Sinking of the Lusitania and Sussex

▪ Sussex Pledge and renewal of submarine warfare

Neutrality

▪ Zimmermann Note

▪ Germany proposed alliance with Mexico

▪ Links with Britain and France

▪ Economic Ties

370% increase in exports to Allies

7,000% decrease in exports to Central Powers

▪ Psychological and Ethnic Ties

Traditions, propaganda

Declaration of War

▪ Wilson’s War Message

▪ German violations of freedom of the seas

▪ German killings of Americans

▪ German interference with Mexico

▪ Making the world “safe for democracy”

Reshaping world through progressive principles

Declaration of War

▪ Preparedness

▪ U.S. quite prepared

▪ Build-up of Navy under T. Roosevelt

▪ Army enlarged in 1915 due to war in Europe

▪ Selective Service Act (draft)

Mobilization

▪ Financing the War

▪ Congress empowered Pres. Wilson to direct U.S. economy

▪ War Boards

War Industries Board

War Labor Board

Fuel Administration Board

Food Administration Board

▪ Liberty bonds

▪ Income taxes on the wealthy

Mobilization▪ Public Opinion and Civil Liberties

▪ Propaganda

Committee on Public Information

Aroused public support

Stifled opposition

Voluntary censorship of the press

War Bonds

Prohibition

▪ Espionage and Sedition Acts

▪ Schenck v. United States

“clear and present danger”

Mobilization

▪ Effects on American Society

▪ More Jobs for Women

▪ Migration

Great Migration of African Americans

Conflict following return of white troops

Increased Mexican immigration

American Expeditionary Force

▪ General John Pershing

▪ Most fighting in France

▪ Germany halted at 2nd

Battle of the Marne

▪ Final counteroffensive and German surrender