WHY DID THE UNITED STATES ENTER THE WAR?

WHY DID THE UNITED STATES ENTER THE WAR?

Background: The USA was NEUTRAL when the war started in 1914. Americans saw WWI as an imperialist squabble of old Europe. Also, the USA was making money from the war. Doing business with war-faring countries in Europe pushed American exports from $2 billion a year before the war, to $6 billion during!

Background: In 1915, Ger. declared all waters around Britain a ZONE OF WAR. Ger. gave no offers of protection from her U- Boats to ships from neutral countries, like the USA. Then, on 7 May 1915, a British passenger ship, the LUSITANIA was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland.

Background: The Lusitania sunk in 18 minutes, killing 1,200 including 128 Americans. USA was in shock. This German attack BEGAN TO CHANGE PUBLIC OPINION IN THE USA ABOUT JOINING THE WAR, although that would not come for another two years. US President Woodrow Wilson even proclaimed Germany as being hostile. Ger. dropped the war zone around Britain for the time being.

Entry into War: In Jan. 1917, Germany again declared UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE. This meant that any non-alliance ship risked being torpedoed by Germany. In doing this, the Germans hoped to knock Britain out of the war before the USA could intervene. Also, in Jan. 1917, the Brits intercepted an odd telegram coming from Berlin on its way to Mexico City.

Entry into War: This was the ZIMMERMANN TELEGRAM A coded message sent to the German ambassador to Mexico in Mexico City. The telegram proposed that: 1. Mexico should attack the USA. 2. Germany would help Mexico once they won the war in Europe. 3. After beating the USA, Germany would give Mexico back territory lost to the USA in 1848 (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona).

Entry into War: The telegram s code was cracked and presented to Pres. Wilson in Feb. 1917. The USA ended diplomatic ties with Germany that same month. More American ships were being sunk by U-Boats, and public opinion in the USA about the war was turning ANTI-GERMAN. Zimmerman

Entry into War: On 6 April 1917, the US Congress voted to officially declare war on Germany.

However: American soldiers would not arrive in Europe to help the British and French until March 1918 11 months later! During that time, Germany increased efforts to win the war. It was a bloody 11 months.

So WHILE THE SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA AND THE ZIMMERMANN TELEGRAM HELPED CHANGE AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION TOWARDS ENTERING THE WAR AGAINST GERMANY, IT WAS ULTIMATLY THE UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE THAT PUSHED THE USA INTO THE WAR.

THE EFFECTS OF THE WAR IN CANADA 3 main categories of effects: Social impact Political impact Economic impact

The Social Impact: 1. During WWI the status of women improved and resistance by men against acknowledging the abilities of women were gradually set aside.

The Social Impact: 2. During the War women participated in many activities that promoted their cause for social, economic, and political equality. (ex: suffrage) 3. Women formed the nucleus of munitions industry workers.

The Social Impact: 4. Women replaced men in offices, factories, schools, etc. 5. Women raised money for the war effort. 6. Women attended to the sick and injured on the battlefields of Europe.

The Political Impact: 1. The political goal of suffrage was finally won in 1918 when women won their right to vote in federal elections.

The Political Impact: 2. The Military Service Bill (conscription) introduced by Robert Borden s conservative government in 1917 had a political impact on Canada by hurting French-English Canadian relations.

The Political Impact: 3. Canada s contribution to the war effort (especially at Vimy Ridge) earned her international respect and she emerged from the war as a country more independent from Britain.

The Political Impact: Ex: Canada won a seat at the Paris Peace Conference and signed the peace treaty as a separate nation. Also, Canada was given representation in the new League of Nations.

The Economic Impact: 1. WWI produced a boom in Canada s industry. Steel and munitions production and manufacturing grew dramatically. During the war almost everyone could find a job. 2. The Canadian economy now relied on industry as well as agriculture, lumbering, fishing, and mining. 3. Canada had been changed from agricultural economy into a growing industrial nation. This laid the basis for a stronger and more prosperous country.

THE RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM THE WAR

Why? Economic and political problems plagued Russia during WWI. The Russian Revolution broke out in 1917, the Tsar was forced to abdicate, and the new régime wanted to get Russia out of WWI.

Why? As of Nov. 1916, Russia had 1,700,000 dead soldiers and 5,000,000 other casualties.

Result: During the winter of 1917-1918, Russia (Leon Trotsky) was negotiating an armistice with Germany to end war on the Eastern Front.

Result: On 3 March 1918, after a major German offensive, Russia was forced to sign the TREATY OF BREST-LITOVSK. This humiliating treaty gave Finland, the Ukraine, the Baltic provinces, and Poland to the CENTRAL POWERS.

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE (1918) Battle between British/French forces and the German Army in July 1918.

Marne 1918 Result The beginning of the end of the war. Major Allied victory. The Germans began to believe they could no longer win the war. Germany would not win another battle in the war.

ARMISTICE signed November 11 th, 1918. Germany had lost the war. 19 million were dead, 21 million were wounded.

Assess the issue of responsibility for the outbreak of World War I By country : - British Empire - Serbia - USA - Russia - Austria-Hungary - France - Germany Q1: What did each country do to start or to prolong the war? Q2: Should any one country take most of the responsibility for the war? Q3: Should responsibility be spread amongst several countries?

THE ROAD TO PEACE

Wilson s 14 Points Wilson wrote the points to usher in a new world order, free from old-world rivalries «The war to end all wars», so leaders must «Make the world safe for democracy.»

Wilson s 14 Points He was welcomed to Europe as a hero with hope that his proposals would bring a lasting peace.

THE 14 POINTS 1. no more secret alliances 2. free access to the sea 3. reduction of tariffs 4. disarmament 5. adjustment of colonial clams so the people governed have a say return Alsace-Lorraine to France create Poland a general association of nations must be formed (League of Nations)

Versailles, 1919 The Big Four (Lloyd George, Orlando, Clemenceau, Wilson)

US objectives at Versailles Wilson hoped Europe would follow his 14 Points. But the US had long been isolationist tried to stay out of European affairs this continued at Paris Peace Conference Wilson s biggest objective was to keep boosting US business in the world Insisted Britain & France paid their debts

French objectives at Versailles Security & reparations Security: Wanted back Alsace-Lorraine + Rhineland of Germany as a buffer zone Disarmament of Germany

French objectives at Versailles Reparations: Germany s rich Saar coal mines Very high payments for damage, seen as punitive punishing beyond Germany s ability to pay.

British objectives at Versailles Ensure security of the seas: To promote continued business growth for British Empire status quo Germany would lose ALL her colonies Germany would have to give up her navy Loss of ALL submarines Loss of air force Only small token navy permitted

RESULTS OF THE VERSAILLES TREATY (1919) 1. German War Guilt Clause The Allies blamed Germany for starting the war Had to take full responsibilty for starting the war

*** THE WAR GUILT CLAUSE IN THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES CREATED A FEELING OF NATIONAL SHAME AMONGST GERMANS.

2. Creation of the League of Nations

The League was created to keep the peace in Europe after WWI. Its objectives: 1. Disarmament. 2. The prevention of wars. 3. Conflict resolution by negotiation. 4. To improve the quality of life around the world.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the League was replaced by the United Nations in 1945. The League did not do much and could not prevent WWII from starting.

3. Reparations Germany was forced to pay the Allies (in 1919 USA $) $30 BILLION

4. Cuts to German armed forces Army reduced to 100,000 soldiers Navy reduced to 6 battleships Luftwaffe (air force) eliminated

5. DEMILITARISATION OF THE RHINELAND German soldiers were no longer allowed in the Rhineland (the industrialized region of Western Germany which borders France).

6. TERRITORIAL CHANGES Alsace-Lorraine given back to France Danzig created as a free port (split Germany in two), given to a newlycreated Poland All German colonies lost Plus many more see textbook p. 60

1. Does the Treaty of Versailles seem to be a fair treaty? Why or why not? Hint: Has the treaty addressed Germany s pride and aspiration for a greater role in the world?

Shortcomings of Versailles Germany was humiliated by the treaty but had to sign it (under protest). German reparations were so high they were a threat to the German economy. Neither Russia nor the Central Powers were allowed representation at the conference they had to take what was given them by the Big Three.

2. Predict the repercussions that the Treaty of Versailles could have on Germany and on European stability after the War.