WORLD WAR 1 1914-1918 Causes of WWI 1. Imperialism: Germany, France, & Great Britain Scramble for power and claim to lands in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific 2. Militarism Aggressive build up of a nation s armed forces Military had more authority over foreign policy 1
Causes of WWI 3. Nationalism Countries acted in their own interests Difficult in countries with diverse populations: Austria-Hungary 4. Alliances Bound countries to each other in the event of an attack 2
Who?? Central Powers 1. Germany 2. Austria-Hungary 3. Ottoman Empire Allies 1. Russia 2. France 3. Great Britain 4. United States (1917) Assassination of the Austrian Archduke Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were killed while visiting Bosnia Spark that started WWI It became known as the war to end all wars WWI 3
1914 All European powers were at war with each other ***However*** Stalemate within a few weeks neither side has an advantage Trench warfare New Weapons 1. Poison gas 2. Tanks 3. Planes 4. Artillery Shells 5. Flame Throwers 6. U-boats--submarines 4
U.S. Response U.S. remains neutral President Wilson wanted to protect U.S Business interests Tried to be a peacemaker Americans were scared of Germany s large army/ militarism Preparedness Movement be ready for war just in case Question to Consider Is isolationism really an option for a country as powerful as the United States? 5
What did it take for the U.S. to get involved? 1. UNRESTRICTED WARFARE Changed the way naval battles were fought At first, U-boats would rise to the surface and allow crews to abandon their ships before attacking Americans learned of this and were angered. Viewed as uncivilized What did it take for the U.S. to get involved? 2. Sussex Pledge Agreement between America and Germany Germany promised that U- boats would give warning before sinking a ship Ultimately, Germany goes back on the pledge and America cuts off ties with Germany 6
What did it take for the U.S. to get involved? 3. German U-Boats The Lusitania is sunk British passenger ship carrying Americans Germany claimed the Lusitania was carrying weapons for the Allies 1200 people were killed, including over 100 Americans What did it take for the U.S. to get involved? 4. The Zimmerman Note Telegram from Germany to Mexico Germany asked Mexico to invade the U.S. It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an alliance 7
What finally gets the U.S. to enter the war?? Combination of all of those things eventually leads to President Wilson asks Congress to declare war April 6, 1917 U.S. officially enters WWI Preparing for War 1. Selective Service Act draft of young men for military service 24 million men registered for the draft 3 million were chosen in a draft lottery 2. Rest of the army was part of the American Expeditionary Force volunteers and national guardsmen 8
Americans on the Homefront 1. Financing the War Liberty Bonds sold to the public to help pay for the war LOANS-- more than $10 billion to Allies 2. War Industries Board told manufacturers what to produce and how much Price Controls Govt. sets prices of products 3. Daylight Savings Time set clocks ahead 1 hour so people could work Enforcing Loyalty Conformity and Patriotism demanded by the government. Government controlled news and information Espionage Act (1917) and Sedition Act (1918) it is illegal to say anything that goes against the War (violation of free speech) Interfering with the war effort was a crime Supreme Court said it was OK because there is a clear and present danger to the country. 9
Changing Lives Great Migration 500,000 African Americans moved north to work in factories Still faced discrimination Segregated houses Higher rent Denied union membership Women worked in jobs left by soldiers in WAR RELATED INDUSTRIES or volunteered. Immigration slowed down U.S. Soldiers in Europe U.S. offered immediate help to the Allies Fresh troops, supplies, food, weapons, tanks, $3 billion in loans Convoy system Group of unarmed ships surrounded by a ring of torpedo boats, destroyers and other navy ships to track U-boats and destroy them 10
Russian Revolution Russian government was overthrown by the Bolsheviks Russian signs a peace treaty with Germany Russia backs out of the war Turning the tide of war Germany is able to focus on Paris again But the Allies are able to attack back and the Central Powers begin to fall. Tanks were very valuable in defeating the Germans able to roll over the trenches and force the Germans back. 11
Turning the Tide of War Air War U.S. was able to build hundreds of planes with new technology Bombers German Zeppelins floating airships-- dropped bombs Ending the War Central Powers crumble Germany signs an armistice = cease fire in Nov. 1918 Loss of lives too many to count Flu epidemic sweeps through Europe and America 12
9/14/16 America Post WWI Soldiers came home to a slowed down economy Jobs were difficult to find Women forced to resign from jobs African Americans faced discrimination in housing and jobs Paris Peace Conference Leaders meet at the Paris Peace Conference U.S. Woodrow Wilson France Georges Clemenceau Great Britain David Lloyd George Italy Vittorio Orlando Goal was to establish the terms of peace following WWI 13
Treaty of Versailles Terms Great Britain and France wanted the following: 1. Punish Germany 2. Bankrupt Germany Pay Reparations 3. Weaken Germany reduce size of military 4. Return Alsace and Lorraine to France 5. Force Germany to accept blame for the war. Global Peacemaker Paris Peace Conference 1. 14 Points President Wilson s plan for world peace 2. Freedom of the seas, no tariffs, no secret treaties 3. LEAGUE OF NATIONS--member nations would protect each other in the event of an attack a. Congress REJECTS the League of Nations didn t want to be pulled into future wars 14
15
16