U S and World War I Causes of

U. S. and World War I

Causes of WWI – MANIA! • Militarism - policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war, military used as a tool for diplomacy • Alliances – agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another • Nationalism – extreme pride in one’s country, national interests should be placed above international affairs • Imperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically. • Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand

Alliances • There were 2 major alliances in Europe before WW 1. Alliances were made to protect each nation from attack • The Triple Alliance – Germany, Italy, Austria Hungry • The Triple Entente – Russia, France, Britain

The Spark • Archduke Franz Ferdinand his wife Sophie are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. • He was a member of the Serbian nationalist group – the black hand.

The Domino Effect • Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia. • Germany pledged their support for Austria –Hungary • Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

• Germany declares war on Russia. • France pledges their support for Russia. • Germany declares war on France. • Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. • Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.

Who was fighting? Allied Powers • • • Britain & its colonies France & its colonies Russia Italy United States Many more Central Powers • • Germany Austria-Hungry Ottoman Empire Bulgaria

Stalemate • Outdated military tactics and new technology quickly turn the war into a stalemate • Trenches were dug in France to protect soldiers and solidify gains. The area between the Central Powers and Allied Powers was known as no mans land.

New Technology • New Technology was used to turn WW 1 into a modern war. – Tanks, Planes, Submarines, Poison Gas, Machine Guns all see use in the war.

U. S. Neutrality • U. S. remains neutral until 1917 • Practicing (foreign) policy of Isolationism Reason: 1. Europe’s war 2. Economic reasons - trade - financial backing 3. Immigrant sympathizers

U. S. getting drawn into WWI • Germany counter-attack to GB’s blockaded with • the U-boats (sinking without warning) • May 7, 1915 U-boat sank the Lusitania - German’s defense - was carrying ammunition • March 1916 Germany torpedoes the Sussex liner • Sussex Pledge – agreement - Germany would stop attacking ships if U. S. could get G. B. to lift blockade • Election of 1916: Wilson wins on campaign promise to keep the U. S. out of war

Neutrality Ends Immediate Causes: • Violation of Sussex - Germany announces the U-boats will sink ships again - no warning • Rev. in Russia- attempting democratic gov’t now an acceptable ally • Zimmermann Note (telegram from Germany to Mexico) suggesting an alliance between them and promising to help them recover the territories of TX, NM, & AZ * 1917 – U. S. had no option but to enter the war

Big IDEAS for the U. S. entrance • Financial - to ensure Allies victory and repayment of debts to the U. S. • Threat - to prevent the Germans harming U. S. shipping and protect U. S. territory

The "I WANT YOU" Army recruiting poster from World War I became the most recognized image of Uncle Sam, a character first made popular by Thomas Nast and other 19 th century political cartoonists. The poster was painted by James Montgomery Flagg in 1916 -1917. Flagg reportedly used his own face as the model for Uncle Sam’s stern visage. www. klasek. com/90 th/1917_timeline. html

Home Front Production • shifting in production of goods • must make war & consumer goods pro. corbis. com/search/Enlargement. aspx? CID=is. . .

Selective Service Act • a draft • eventually 24 million draftees • ages of 21 -23 (some lied about their age) • Those excused - married men - those with dependents - medical reasons

Citation: Records of the Selective Service System (World War I)

Women and WWI • filled all types of roles/jobs in society i. e. • • • driving cabs and delivery trucks bricklayers cooks railroad workers dock workers and shipbuilder • Roles in society gave them the final ammunition needed for the 19 th amendment

• women filled industry jobs https: //www. allposters. co. jp/Redirect. Locale. a. . .

War Industries Board (WIB) • encourage mass production techniques • to increase efficiency & eliminate waste - production increased by 20% - i. e. corsets tall leather boots hemlines laracorsets. com

By Howard Christy. Used in WW I recruiting campaigns.

Supporting the War • Propaganda ~ persuasive technique used to influence opinions ~ A campaign to help people feel justified in the sacrifices they were making. • promote patriotism • it manufactured hate

By Norman Lindsey. “? ” was one of six posters designed for the last Australian recruiting campaign.

Fuel Administration • monitored coal supplies, rationed gasoline & heating oil • adopted to help conserve for the war i. e. • gasless Sunday • heatless Monday • lightless nights ~ daylight-savings time used www. rainfall. com/posters/WWI/195. htm

Food Administration • established to conserve food (voluntary) • Herbert Hoover - director • each day special emphasis i. e. - wheatless Mon. and Wed. - meatless Tues. - porkless Thurs. and Sat. - sweetless Fri (calling it Hooverizing) • victory gardens - planted at people’s homes - on city buildings and in allies staff. imsa. edu/. . . /jiang_3_7/conservation. htm

Financing the War • U. S. spent 33 billion • raised 1/3 with taxes (higher income taxes) • higher excise tax on luxury goods • Liberty Loans - war bonds

Attack on Civil Liberties • worst attacks directed at German - Americans i. e. • lost their jobs • would not play music by German composers • Schools stopped teaching German language • German books were removed from libraries

Civil Liberties cont… Government ‘s Role • Sedition Act (p. 598) no disloyalties to the U. S. gov. , its symbols, or the war, • Espionage Act punish those found helping the enemy • Trading with the Enemy Act postmaster could censor publications exchanged * What did all of these violate?

Wilson’s Fourteen Points • Jan. 1918 • Wilson presented to Congress - Causes of war - boundaries - plan for peace /League of Nations (international peace organization)

Peace Conference • Allied leaders / Council of Ten • new Russian leaders did not attend • Purpose: decide end of war issues • Wilson presented his 14 pts. - wanted peace organization • Clash between Wilson’s ideas & Allies rewards/punishments - Allies wanted territory & Germany punished

Treaty of Versailles • agreement to end the war • between Allies & Central Powers • League of Nations included - U. S. Congress did not support - made it a WEAK organization

Terms of the Treaty • Germany had to accept full responsibility for war. • Germany had to surrender all land back to its surrounding nations. • Germany would reduce its military and give up all warships. • Germany would transfer all colonies to a mandate where the Allies could watch them. • Germany must pay reparations for the entire cost of the war to the Allies. • Territory divided (Ottoman, A-H, Russia) • League of Nations established

U. S. Congress would not support plan Reasons… • Economic reasons • Did not fit policy of Isolationism • Did not want to be responsible for world peace * Why did Congress believe the League violated Isolationism?

War Impact On the U. S. • Industrial production increased • became richest country in the world • achieved a high standard of living • citizens became materialistic • women more opportunities/recognition • rejecting the Treaty/League of Nations • U. S. shifts back to a policy of Isolation

War Impact On Europe: • All economies were bad • Land was destroyed • German develop a depression in 1923 • German $ became almost worthless • Germans were looking for someone to blame On Middle East: • Territory divided among Allies

Casualties • Total troops mobilized by all countries in WW 1 – 65, 038, 810 • Total troops dead from all countries in WW 1 – 8, 556, 315 • Total troops wounded from all countries in WW 1 – 21, 219, 452 • Total missing or POWs – 7, 750, 945