WWI begins MAIN Causes of War Militarism Belief

WWI begins • MAIN Causes of War: • Militarism: Belief that humans are at their best when they are at war. • Germany and Britain begin to increase their naval strength, Germany and Russia increase their standing armies. • Alliance system already in place – Triple Entente (later becomes Allies): France, Great Britain, Russia – Triple Alliance (later becomes Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary (Ottoman Empire joins later) – Imperialism: Britain and France have established large empires in Asia and Africa… German leadership wants a cut – Nationalism: National pride and patriotism

WWI begins • Spark: assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (heir to Austrian throne) by a Serb nationalist – A-H declares war against Serbia, who had alliance with Russia – Germany declares war against Russia (Triple Entente) because they had a previous alliance with A-H – Domino effect due to previous alliances: Europe now at war

US involvement before entry to war • Major supplier: factories mobilized so much that there was a shortage of workers – Supply threatened by German U-boat warfare against Britain (in response to Britain placing blockade around Germany) • Wilson tries to be mediator/ peacemaker, but is unsuccessful

Why did the U. S. actually decide to enter the war?

1. Good for business? U. S. trade with Great Britain and France quadrupled based on needs of war

2. Keeping our investments safe? • Hundreds of millions loaned to Allies • What happens if they lose? • We didn't win a thing we set out for in the last war. We merely succeeded, with tremendous loss of life, to make secure the loans of private bankers to the Allies. – -- Senator Gerald Nye of North Dakota, Chairman of the Senate Munitions Committee (circa 1936)

3. Ties to Great Britain combined with anti-German feelings?

4. Make the world “safe for democracy”? • Wilson runs for president in 1916 on promise to avoid war – Tries to get both sides to negotiate, fails – Proclaims neutrality and asks American’s to avoid taking sides – German responds that even neutral American ships will be regarded as enemies • Wilson’s outlook shifts: Speech in 1917: “We are glad. . . to fight. . . for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples, the German peoples included: for the right of nations great and small and the privilege of men everywhere to choose their way of life and of obedience. The world must be made safe for democracy. . • Russian revolution in 1917: Russia has Communist revolution, drops out of war, meaning only monarchy on Allied side no longer involved

5. U. S. under attack? • German U-boat warfare on any cargo heading to Britain (including American supply ships) • Lusitania (liner carrying Americans) sunk by a U-boat • In 1917 Germany begins UNRESTRICTED U-boat warfare… hoping to know out Great Britain before U. S. can enter. • Convinced Wilson • Zimmerman Telegram: German minister to Mexican ambassador: if US enters war and Mexico helps Germany, they will help Mexico get back Texas • Convinced Congress

• April 2, 1917 -Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany • “The World must be made safe for Democracy”(…and free trade) • April 6 th-Congress votes and declares war

Mobilization u. Europe was engaged in TOTAL WAR (war in which every possible “weapon” and resource is used to win) u. Europe needed munitions and suppliesimmediate action u. Encouraged Americans to eat less meat and bread u. Invented Daylight Savings to conserve fuel

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

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

US Propaganda

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

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

Minorities • Women-Entered the workforce in mass, took the jobs of soldiers fighting in Europe – Contribute to the passage of the 19 th Amendment in 1919 (voting rights) • African-Americans-400, 000 volunteered for the armed services, served in non-combat roles, and in segregated units

Fighting the War • New style of warfare: mechanized – Machine guns – tanks – long-range, heavy artillery – poison gas (various types) – Trench warfare causing“No-Man’s Land” – Hand grenades

Trench Warfare

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

Approximate Comparative Losses in World War I