WORLD WAR I The US in World War

  • Slides: 36
Download presentation
WORLD WAR I The US in World War I: 1914 -1918

WORLD WAR I The US in World War I: 1914 -1918

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Militarism – European nations built up large armies &

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Militarism – European nations built up large armies & navies to protect their national interests. Alliances – Nations created a web of alliances & pledged to come to one another’s defense in the event of an attack. Imperialism – The Great Powers competed for territories in Africa, Asia, & the Middle East. Nationalism – Movements such as Pan-Germanism led to ill-feelings among nations.

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Immediate Cause – The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Immediate Cause – The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his wife Sophie set off a chain of war declarations throughout Europe. § Allied Powers – Great Britain, France, Russia § Central Powers – Germany, Austria. Hungary

PRECARIOUS US NEUTRALITY President Wilson issued a Proclamation of Neutrality after the start of

PRECARIOUS US NEUTRALITY President Wilson issued a Proclamation of Neutrality after the start of the war in 1914. § Most Americans were anti-German from the outset of the war. § Threatened by the rapid rise of Germany § Angered by Germany’s attack on Belgium § Outraged by stories reported in the British press

US MONEY FLOWS TO EUROPE British & French war orders served to boost the

US MONEY FLOWS TO EUROPE British & French war orders served to boost the US economy in the early years of the war. § US trade with the Allies reached $2. 4 billion. § In addition, J. P. Morgan & other bankers lent the Allies over $3 billion

THE LUSITANIA INCIDENT Germany announced in 1915 that it would use submarines to sink

THE LUSITANIA INCIDENT Germany announced in 1915 that it would use submarines to sink ships carrying “contraband. ” § The submarine was a new war technology that did not fit existing international law. § Wilson warned Germany that it would be held to “strict accountability” for any attacks on US vessels or citizens. § The British passenger liner, Lusitania, was sunk off the coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915 – 128 Americans die.

THE LUSITANIA INCIDENT

THE LUSITANIA INCIDENT

THE SUSSEX ULTIMATUM In March 1916, Germany torpedoed the French passenger steamer, the Sussex.

THE SUSSEX ULTIMATUM In March 1916, Germany torpedoed the French passenger steamer, the Sussex. § Wilson & Germany agreed to an uneasy truce: § Germany agreed not to sink passenger & merchant ships without warning. § The US agreed to persuade the Allies to end their naval blockade.

THE ELECTION OF 1916 Republican – Charles Evans Hughes § Platform – Condemned the

THE ELECTION OF 1916 Republican – Charles Evans Hughes § Platform – Condemned the lower tariff, assaults on trusts, & Wilson’s indecisiveness in dealing with Mexico & Germany Democrat – Woodrow Wilson § Slogan – “He kept us out of war. ”

THE ELECTION OF 1916

THE ELECTION OF 1916

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR In January 1917, Wilson called on European leaders to

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR In January 1917, Wilson called on European leaders to reach a “peace without victory” in order to end the war. In that same month, Germany announced a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. § All ships, including American ones, would be sunk. § Justified the policy using the Sussex pledge as the US had not persuaded the Allies to end their blockade.

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR Wilson broke diplomatic relations with Germany but refused to

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR Wilson broke diplomatic relations with Germany but refused to move toward war unless Germany attacked US lives & property. § Asked Congress for the authority to arm US merchant ships, but Midwestern Senators blocked the measure. § Used the Zimmerman Telegram to get Congressional approval for the measure. § Germany had proposed an alliance with Mexico – join against the US & win back TX, NM, & AZ. § Americans, especially westerners, were outraged.

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war on 2 April 1917 – accepted 4 days later. Wilson sought to instill idealism in order to inspire Americans to fight. In doing so, he claimed: § US was not fighting for profit or territorial conquest § US wanted to shape an international order in which democracy could flourish – “Make the world safe for democracy” These ideals were essential to Wilson’s Fourteen Points.

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR

US ENTRY INTO THE WAR

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION The Committee of Public Information (CPI) was created to sell

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION The Committee of Public Information (CPI) was created to sell America on the war & to sell the world on Wilsonian war aims. § Headed by George Creel § Established voluntary censorship of the press § Published propaganda, including posters & movies § Set up volunteer Liberty Leagues in every community § Urged members to spy on their neighbors & report any suspicious words or actions

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES Anti-German hysteria swept the US, largely due to Creel Committee

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES Anti-German hysteria swept the US, largely due to Creel Committee propaganda. § Resulted in rampant rumor of spying & sabotage § German courses were discontinued in many schools § Orchestras stopped playing Wagner & Beethoven § Food items were renamed

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES Espionage Act of 1917 § Provided fines & imprisonment for

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES Espionage Act of 1917 § Provided fines & imprisonment for persons making false statements, aiding the enemy, inciting rebellion in the military, or obstructing draft recruitment Sedition Act of 1918 § Forbade any criticism of the government, flag, or uniform § Targeted Socialists & members of the IWW, including Eugene V. Debs & “Big Bill” Haywood

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES Schenck v. United States § Upheld the constitutionality of the

RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES Schenck v. United States § Upheld the constitutionality of the Espionage Act § Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. ruled that Congress could limit free speech when words represented “a clear & present danger…that…will bring about…evils that Congress has the right to prevent. ” § For example, a person could not “cry fire in a crowded theater. ”

MOBILIZING INDUSTRY The nation’s economy was not originally geared for war. Bernard Baruch was

MOBILIZING INDUSTRY The nation’s economy was not originally geared for war. Bernard Baruch was appointed to head the War Industries Board in March 1918. § Sought to control raw materials, production, prices, & labor relations. § Never really had much power & was disbanded within days of the armistice. § US businesses opposed government controls § Democrats lost power in the 1918 Congressional elections

MOBILIZING LABOR US workers were mobilized with the slogan, “Labor Will Win the War.

MOBILIZING LABOR US workers were mobilized with the slogan, “Labor Will Win the War. ” Over 1 million women entered the workforce. § Worked in munitions plants, ran elevators, delivered messages, etc. § Prompted Wilson to endorse women’s suffrage as a “vitally necessary war measure. ” § The 19 th Amendment was ratified in 1920

MOBILIZING LABOR Thousands of African Americans migrated north to work in warrelated factories. §

MOBILIZING LABOR Thousands of African Americans migrated north to work in warrelated factories. § The War Department issued a “work or fight” rule in 1918 § W. E. B. Du. Bois saw the war effort as a way to improve life for African Americans § Led to race riots in 26 cities

MOBILIZING LABOR

MOBILIZING LABOR

MOBILIZING LABOR The National War Labor Board was created to oversee labor disputes during

MOBILIZING LABOR The National War Labor Board was created to oversee labor disputes during the war. § William Howard Taft was chairman & Samuel Gompers served as a board member. § Essentially prohibited strikes, while encouraging progressive such as higher wages, an 8 -hour work day, & unionization. § Union membership increased from 2. 5 million in 1916 to 4 million in 1919. The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) used labor sabotage – including 6, 000 strikes – to undermine the war effort.

MOBILIZING THE ECONOMY The Food Administration § Headed by Herbert Hoover § Relied on

MOBILIZING THE ECONOMY The Food Administration § Headed by Herbert Hoover § Relied on voluntary compliance § Called for self-denial to support the war effort § Proclaimed “Wheatless Wednesdays” & “Meatless Tuesdays” § Encouraged “Victory Gardens” § The 18 th Amendment was ratified in 1919 § Resulted in increased farm production & food exports to the Allies

MOBILIZING THE ARMY Wilson proposed universal male conscription to raise an army. § The

MOBILIZING THE ARMY Wilson proposed universal male conscription to raise an army. § The Selective Service Act passed in May 1917 § Required registration of all men ages 18 -45 § Did not allow men to purchase exemptions or hire substitutes § Increased the size of the army from 200, 000 to over 4 million § 400, 000 African Americans served in segregated units § 11, 000 women served in the navy

THE US – OVER THERE The War at Sea § US & Britain began

THE US – OVER THERE The War at Sea § US & Britain began a convoy system in July 1917 § Dramatically decreased losses from U-Boat attacks Treaty of Brest-Litovsk § Took Russia out of the war & ceded vast territories to the Central Powers § Allowed Germany to redeploy its divisions to the front in France

THE US – OVER THERE The Western Front: France Germany launched a massive offensive

THE US – OVER THERE The Western Front: France Germany launched a massive offensive on the Western Front in the Spring 1918 The American Expeditionary Force – under the command of General John Pershing – were sent to France in May 1918 § Initially used as replacements in the Allied armies § Played a key role in stopping the German advance to Paris during the Second Battle of the Marne § Chateau-Thierry § Belleau Wood

THE US – OVER THERE The Western Front: France In September, the AEF participated

THE US – OVER THERE The Western Front: France In September, the AEF participated in the Battle of the Argonne Forest – the final Allied offensive of the war § Marked the largest battle thus far in American history § Fought for 47 days & engaged 1. 2 million American soldiers § Suffered 10% casualties § It was here that Sergeant Alvin York captured 132 German prisoners

THE US – OVER THERE The End of the War By October 1918, German

THE US – OVER THERE The End of the War By October 1918, German generals warned their government of their imminent defeat The German government turned to a seemingly moderate Wilson & sought a peace based on his Fourteen Points § Wilson demanded the Kaiser’s removal before an armistice could be negotiated § On 11 November 1918, Germany laid down its arms

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE Wilson’s post-war popularity in the world was unprecedented. § Viewed as

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE Wilson’s post-war popularity in the world was unprecedented. § Viewed as a savior by millions in Europe Democrats lost control of Congress in the 1918 elections. Wilson infuriated Republicans by personally going to the Paris peace conference. § No sitting president had traveled to Europe § Excluded Republicans from the delegation

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE Negotiated by the Big Four § US-Wilson, Britain-David Lloyd George, France.

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE Negotiated by the Big Four § US-Wilson, Britain-David Lloyd George, France. Georges Clemenceau, Italy. Vittorio Orlando § European leaders did not embrace Wilson’s ideas § Might foil their imperialistic plans § Wanted to punish Germany Meanwhile, Europe seemed to be slipping into anarchy

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE Wilson’s goals included a world parliament to be known as the

VERSAILLES PEACE CONFERENCE Wilson’s goals included a world parliament to be known as the League of Nations. § Called on all members to protect the “territorial integrity” & “political independence” of all other members – collective security § Permanent members – US, France, Britain, Italy, & Japan § General Assembly – 42 Allied & neutral countries § Excluded Germany & Russia

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Terms of the Treaty of Versailles § Article 231 – War

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Terms of the Treaty of Versailles § Article 231 – War Guilt Clause § Blamed Germany for World War I § Forced Germany to pay reparations totaling $31 billion to the Allies & accept severe military restrictions & loss of territory § Granted self-determination to Poland, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Lithuania, & Estonia

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Faced significant opposition in the United States § Republicans, led by

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Faced significant opposition in the United States § Republicans, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, threatened to kill the treaty if Wilson did not provide provisions for preserving the Monroe Doctrine & a means for the US to leave the League § Weakened Wilson’s bargaining position – final treaty contained only about 4 of the original 14 Points § Gets bogged down in the Senate

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Wilson decides to appeal directly to the American people by going

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Wilson decides to appeal directly to the American people by going on an ambitious speechmaking tour. § Doctors & friends advise him against the tour, but he had become obsessed with the Treaty § Followed by “Irreconcilable Senators” who opposed the Treaty in any form Wilson collapsed in Colorado on September 25, 1919. § Partially paralyzed by stroke several days later § Did not meet with his cabinet for 7. 5 months

LODGE RESERVATIONS Henry Cabot Lodge wrote 14 formal reservations to the Treaty. § Preserved

LODGE RESERVATIONS Henry Cabot Lodge wrote 14 formal reservations to the Treaty. § Preserved Congress’s war-making powers Wilson rejected the Lodge Reservations & ordered Democrats to vote against the amended Treaty. § Loyal Democrats & “Irreconcilable Senators” voted against the Treaty – 55 -39 § US negotiated a separate peace with Germany in July 1919