US INVOLVEMENT IN WWI Causes of American Involvement

US INVOLVEMENT IN WWI

Causes of American Involvement u 1. u 2. u 3. u 4. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare British propaganda Zimmerman Telegraph Russian Revolution

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare u Germany created new submarine called the ”U-Boat” u British blockaded North Sea, so Germany gave a “sink on sight” order to any ship approaching Britain u May 7 th, 1915 -British passenger liner the “Lusitania” sunk off the coast of Ireland u Killed 128 Americans

The Lusitania

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare u Aug. 1915 u The Arabic is sunk by the Germans u 2 Americans are killed

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare u u March 1916 The Sussex, an unarmed passenger ship is sunk America threatens to cut off diplomatic relations Sussex pledge- no passenger or merchant ships would be sunk without warning

British Propaganda u The British sent news of the war to US newspapers everyday u Full of Propaganda u Led the American public to be sympathetic toward the British

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

British Propaganda

Zimmerman Telegram u March 1917 -British authorities gave to the US a telegram that was supposedly sent to Mexico from Germany u It had been decoded by the British u It asked Mexico to declare war on the US and they would be supported by Germany

Russian Revolution u March 1917 -Russia left WWI due to a Revolution in their own country u Germany now would concentrate totally on the Western Front u Pleas from Great Britain and France to join the war effort

Declaration of War u April 2, 1917 -Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany u “The World must be made safe for Democracy” u April 6 th-Congress votes and declares war

Mobilization Europe needed munitions and supplies-immediate action u Encouraged people to eat less meat and bread u Invented Daylight Savings to conserve fuel u

Mobilization Convinced Americans to put savings into “Liberty Bonds” u Increased income tax, business tax, and excise tax u

US Propaganda Made heroes out of soldiers and villains out of the Germans u Attacked and gave new names to anything that sounded German u

US Propaganda

US Propaganda

Civil Liberties u Espionage Act of 1917 -imprisoned for 20 year if caught inciting a riot or obstructing the draft u Sedition Act of 1918 -Prohibited from making disloyal remarks u Schneck v. US (1919)-Restriction of civil liberties is ok if it demonstrates a “clear and present danger” to public safety

Minorities u Women-Entered the workforce in mass, took the jobs of soldiers fighting in Europe u Mexicans-immigrating in mass to get agricultural work in the southwest u African-Americans-400, 000 volunteered for the armed services, served in non-combat roles, and in segregated units

Armed Forces u u u Thousands volunteered Selective Service Act (1917)-2. 8 million drafted by lottery American Expeditionary Force (AEF) led by General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing

Casualties u 49, 000 -Combat Deaths u 64, 000 -Died from Disease u Worldwide Flu Epidemic

Armistice u November 11, 1918 at 11 am u “On the 11 th day of the 11 th month at the 11 th hour” u Memorialized-Veterans Day u Germany surrendered their arms, Navy, and occupied territory

Wilson’s Plan u Called the 14 points u Points 1 -5 -Remove the Causes of War – Freedom of Seas – Prohibit secret treaties – Reduce Arms – Reduce colonies – Self-Determination-each person allowed to move to country of their nationality

Wilson’s Plan u Points 6 -13 -Boundary Changes u Point 14 -League of Nations – Most valued-heart of peace plan – Peace association-solve problems by diplomatic means instead of war

Treaty of Versailles u January u Big 1919 -Paris Four – Woodrow Wilson-US – David Lloyd George-Great Britain – Georges Clemenceau-France – Vittorio Orlando-Italy

Wilson

Lloyd George

Clemenceau

Orlando

Treaty of Versailles u Wilson wanted this to be the “war to end all wars” u Others wanted revenge u Months of arguing u Wilson compromised on all of his 14 points except one

Treaty of Versailles Provisions u 1. Germany was disarmed, stripped of colonies, forced to admit guilt, occupation of Rhineland, and had to pay reparations (war debt) to England France u 2. Many boundary changes u 3. Established a League of Nations

Boundary Changes

Weakness of Treaty u Central Powers not invited u Russia not invited-took land away u Germany blamed u May have led to three wars – WWII – Cold War – Vietnam War

US Ratification u Wilson returns with treaty u Has to get 2/3 vote in Senate u Election of 1918 -Majority of Republicans in both houses u Senate-raised objections to treaty especially League of Nations-against the Monroe Doctrine

US Ratification u Opponents divided into two groups – Irreconcilables-would not accept the treaty – Reservationists-Would accept the treaty if reservations placed on League of Nations – Henry Cabot Lodge leader of reservationists

US Ratification Wilson against any reservations u Tries to rally public support by a speaking tour in the west u Sept. 25 th, 1919 -collapsed while speaking, returned to Washington and suffered a massive stroke u Never recovered u Many believe his wife was running the country u Led to the 25 th Amendment-Presidential handicap u

US Rejection of Treaty u Senate voted twice on treaty u Rejected both times u 1921 -US signed separate peace treaty with Germany u Never ratified the Treaty of Versailles or joined the League of Nations