World War I

1. World War I

2. Causes of WWI • Militarism: Power to military leaders • Alliances: Tied nations to each other • Imperialism: Competition for colonies • Nationalism: Pride in country

3. Franz Ferdinand • Heir to Austro-Hungarian (A-H) throne • A-H controlled Bosnia • Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated Ferdinand

4. An Ultimatum • Germany gave “blank check” to A-H • Support in war • A-H sent ultimatum to Serbia • Serbia agreed to most of demands • A-H declared war

5. Alliance System • Russia backed Serbia • Germany backed A-H • France backed Russia • Central Powers to fight a two-front war

6. The Schlieffen Plan • Germany to invade France through neutral Belgium • Belgium’s ally = Britain • Quickly defeat France and then fight Russia

7. Stalemate • Germans advanced to w/in 30 miles of Paris • Allies dug into trenches • Both sides made little advance for the rest of the war

8. Modern Warfare • Leaders used old tactics against new weapons • Machine guns • Artillery • Poison gas • Zeppelins (blimps) • Airplanes • Tanks

9. American Response • Immigrants pulled to opposing sides • Most sided with Allies against Central Powers • British propaganda • Economic ties • Hated Kaiser Wilhelm • Preparedness movement

10. German Sub Warfare • British blockade on Germany • German subs (U-boats) to counter & fired on ships without warning • Including neutral merchant ships

11. A Warning…

12. The Lusitania (1915) • British passenger liner • Sunk by a German U-boat • 128 Americans died • Pres. Wilson demanded end to unrestricted sub warfare & reparations

13. The Sussex Pledge (1916) • German sub torpedoed French Sussex • Americans aboard • U.S. threatened to break diplomatic ties • Germany agreed to end U.S.W. • 1/1917: Germany renounced Sussex Pledge

14. Zimmermann Note • Germany made a secret offer to Mexico • Wage war against the U.S. in return for Southwest Territory • British intercepted; Revealed to Americans

15. Russian Involvement • U.S. hesitant to ally with Russian czar • Revolution in Russia overthrew the czar; withdrew from the war • U.S. had to defend the Allied cause

16. Declaration of War • Wilson promised to keep U.S. out of war in 1916 election • German U-boats continued to sink ships • U.S. declared war • 82-6 Senate • 373-50 House

17. Preparing an Army • John Pershing chosen to lead forces • Selective Service Act (1918): Draft • 3 million draftees, N.G., and volunteers made up the A.E.F.

18. Preparing an Army • Trained troops for trench warfare & combat • Developed convoy system to protect ships transporting troops • German U-boats

19. Convoy System

20. U.S. Troops in Europe • Used offensive tactics • Nicknamed “doughboys?” • Dust on boots from Mexican War • Buttons on Union uniforms • Segregated units • Harlem Hell Fighters won France’s highest combat award

21. Americans Save Paris • Germans took the offensive • A.E.F. marched from Paris & defeated Germans • Chateau-Thierry • Belleau Wood • 2nd Marne • Argonne Forest • German generals advised surrender

22. Ending the War • Central Powers collapsed • German navy mutinied • Kaiser Wilhelm fled to Holland • Armistice (cease-fire) signed • 11th hour of 11th day of 11th month

23. Costs of the War • ~53,000 A.E.F. troops died • ~9,000,000 worldwide died • Physical & psychological toll • Civilian deaths WWI Death Totals

24. Influenza Epidemic (1918-19) • Fort Riley, KS • U.S. troops carried “Spanish flu” to Europe • Returned home with mutated strain • ~500,000 Americans died • ~30,000,000 worldwide died

25. Paying for the War • Increased taxes (wealthy) • Sold Liberty Bonds to citizens • Raised $20 billion • Used Boy & Girl Scouts to advertise Liberty Bonds

26. Regulating Business

27. Rationing Food & Fuel • Lever Food & Fuel Control Act (1917): President could ration food & fuel; set up daylight savings time • Food Administration (Hoover): Rationed food & reduced waste

28. Enforcing Loyalty • Committee on Public Information (Creel): Get support for war from citizens • Govt. censored press & media • Literacy test for immigrants

29. “Hate the Hun” • Referred to Germans as Huns • Stopped teaching German • Hamburger = salisbury steak • German shepherds = police dogs • Robert Prager lynched

30. Civil Liberties • Espionage Act (1917): Illegal to interfere with draft • Sedition Act (1918): Illegal to interfere with Bonds, or discuss anything disloyal to the U.S.

31. Eugene Debs • Socialist labor leader • Arrested for violating Sedition Act by urging people to protest the draft • 10-year sentence; served 2 • Ran for President from prison

32. I.W.W. Raids • Radical labor union • Opposed capitalism & the war • Interfered with the war effort • Leaders of I.W.W. arrested & charged • I.W.W. influence faded after raids

33. Social Effects of the War • Ended immigration to the U.S. • Great Migration drew African-Americans north • Women joined the work force • 400,000 joined

34. The Fourteen Points • Wilson’s peace plan • No secret treaties • Freedom of seas • End trade barriers • Reduce militaries • Self-determination • Set up League of Nations to ensure peace

35. Paris Peace Conference (1919) • U.S., Britain, France, & Italy • Britain & France wanted to punish Germany • Wilson gave in to demands • Agreed to set up the League of Nations

36. A New Europe • Austria, Germany, & Russia lost land • 9 new nations • Italy gained less than expected • Ethnic tension remained • Britain & France took Germany’s colonies

37. Treaty of Versailles (1919) • War Guilt clause: Germany to accept blame for war • Reparations: Germany to pay for war damages • $33 billion • Germans refused treaty until France threatened to invade

38. Opposing the Treaty • Irreconcilables opposed League of Nations • Reservationists wanted to restrict League of Nations; ensure Monroe Doctrine • Led by Henry Cabot Lodge

39. End to the War • Wilson suffered a stroke trying to win support • U.S. never signed Versailles Treaty • U.S. was world’s largest creditor • Owed $11.5 billion