America in World War I Did World War

America in World War I Did World War I transform America into a World Power or push it further into isolation from Europe?

Europe’s Entry into War • Militarism • Economic Rivalry • Alliances – Secret and Known • Nationalism

America’s Stand on the War • Neutrality • Sinking of American Ships – Lusitania, May 7, 1915, 128 Americans killed – Arabic, August 1915, 2 Americans killed – Sussex, March 1916 (merchant ship) • Economic Links – Ease of trade with England France; English naval blockade of Germany • British Propaganda • Ethnic Loyalties – Italian Americans – German Americans – “Native” Americans

Entry into War • National Defense Act, 1916 – Increase the regular army to 175, 000 men – Construction of 50 warships • Unrestricted submarine warfare – January 1917 – Germany communicated to US • Zimmerman Telegram – Urging Mexico to begin a war with the US to regain territories lost • Russian Revolution – Russia no longer in the war; no more czar • “Make the world safe for democracy. ”

Effects of the War • Espionage Act, 1917 – Incitement in the armed forces, obstruction of the draft • Sedition Act, 1918 – Disloyal or abusive remarks about the government • Schenck v. US – Clear and present danger • Selective Service Act, 1917 – Lottery system • Women – Nineteenth Amendment • Migration of Mexican and African-Americans – Southwest and North for jobs

A Few of the 14 Points • • • Freedom of the Seas End to secret treaties Reduction of arms Self-determination An association of nations – League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles • League of Nations established • Germany – War guilt – Reparations – Demilitarization of the Rhineland – Reduced armed forces – Loss of colonial territories

US Ends the War • 2 votes in the Senate regarding Treaty of Versailles – Irreconcilables – Reservationists – Wilson would not accept reservations about joining the League • Separate peace in 1921 – US never joins the League of Nations