The United States Entry into World War I

At the start of the war ... Woodrow Wilsondeclared a USpolicy of absoluteneutrality.

Why Neutrality?

1/3 of the US population were either first or second generation immigrants from England, France, Germany, etc.

American tradition of staying out of foreign wars – “it’s over there….”

Presidential Preference/Diplomacy

England and France have similar governments to the US, while Germany and AH are ruled by a monarchy

Reasons US Entered WWI

Submarine Warfare

British blockades of Germany strangled the country

Germany resorted to submarines to get around the blockades & to sink ships from any country supplying their enemy

Submarine Warfare

May 7, 1915 – German u-boats sunk a British passenger liner named the Lusitania

It had been loaded with over 4,000 cases of small arms destined for England

128 Americans died

Submarine Warfare

March 24, 1916 – German u-boats sunk French passenger liner named the Sussex

Many Americans were injured

Submarine Warfare

Germany signed the Sussex Pledge - stating they would announce themselves to ships before firing upon them

Asked US to help end blockade of Germany – we said NO!

Submarine Warfare

Germany had many starvingFeb. 1, 1917 – Germany breaks pledge & declare unrestricted submarine warfare

US breaks off relations with Central Powers

Zimmerman Note

Key Players

Arthur Zimmermann – German Foreign Minister

Von Eckhardt – German Ambassador in Mexico

Zimmermann Note

German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman had proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico, calling for Mexico to attack the US southern borders in order to re-capture their lost lands.

Zimmermann Note

The plan was to keep the US out of Europe long enough so that Germany could win the war before we arrived on behalf of the Allies.

Wilson released letter to press

Wilson’s War Message

April 2, 1917 – Wilson asked Congress to declare war

Stated “the world must be made safe for democracy.”

Congress declared war!

American Use of Propaganda

George Creel, former newspaperman, heads up the Committee on Public Information

Appointed by Woodrow Wilson after US entry into war

Used artists, writers, and speakers to “sell” the war to Americans

Propaganda to Engage Citizens

Posters would use images and phrasing that would be familiar to the American public

Posters would also be specific for groups of people when necessary

THE DRAFT&

AMERICANS WHO FOUGHT

The Draft

The Selective Service Act of May 1917 was established to draft young men for the military service

Early on men age 21-31 were drafted – by late 1918 it extended to include men age 18-45

The Draft

By November 1918 more than 24 million had registered for the draft

From those a lottery selected 3 million to serve in the war

American Expeditionary Force (AEF)

Name of American Troops in the war

Led by General John Pershing

Women in the War

Filled a variety of roles in the war effort including caregivers (nurses) and home defense

A small number worked in the signal corps (communications)

Telephone Operators

Navy Nurses aboard USS George Washington in 1918

African Americans in the War

Many had no choice where to serve – only the Navy and Army accepted recruits

Served as laborers, delivery personnel, messengers, and in the kitchen (within the navy)

African Americans in the War

Several regiments were loaned out to the French and saw combat

The 369th Regiment or “Harlem Hell Fighters” was cited most for their bravery and as the first to reach the Rhine River in Germany

Sergeant Henry Johnson, 369th Infantry ("Harlem Hellfighters"), who single-handedly fought off a German raiding party to save his comrade, Private Needham Roberts, 1918.

African Americans Post-War

Frustrated at the freedoms that they experienced, but did not return to in the US

Experience (and freedom) overseas led to the early beginnings of the Civil Rights movement

Situation in Europe

Bolsheviks – Russian Communists over throw the Czar

Vladimir Lenin - leader of the Bolsheviks

Situation in Europe

March 3, 1918 – Russia signs treaty w/ Germany

March – May Germany pushed deep into France

June 3, 1918 – Germany 50 miles from Paris

End of World War I

Bulgaria surrenders on September 29, 1918

The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) surrenders on October 30, 1918

End of World War I

Austria-Hungary surrenders on November 3, 1918

11:00 AM, November 11, 1918, Germany surrenders

Around 15 Million people died in WWI

9 million soldiers

Approx. 21 million were wounded in WWI

Armistice Terms

Germany left France, Belgium, Luxembourg

Surrender all war materials

Allies occupied German Territories

Wilson’s 14 Points

Wilson’s Plan for PeaceEnd Causes of War

No Secret TreatiesFreedom of the SeasReduction of Weapons

Wilson’s 14 Points

Self Determination – power to make decisions about one’s futureLiberate people whose lands were controlled by others

Big 4 Meeting

US – WilsonGB – David Lloyd GeorgeFrance – ClemenceauItaly – OrlandoWilson only one who wanted real peace!

Big 4 Meeting

Other leaders wanted to divide up Central Powers

Wilson compromised & created League of Nations

League of Nations

International peace keeping organization that would protect its members

Was unsuccessful because the US never joined

Congress prohibited it

Treaty of Versailles

1. German Colonies given to Allies

2. Alsace-Lorraine given to France

3. Border Changes for Italy, Greece, Romania, & Belgium

Treaty of Versailles

4. New Countries Created Czechoslovakia, Poland,, &

Yugoslavia

5. Germany held responsible & must reduce military

6. Germany forced to pay reparations