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World War I 1914-1920

World War I 1914-1920. Wilson and Mexico. 1913 Wilson became president Believed American economic expansion + democratic principles = civilizing force in the world Emphasized foreign investments and industrial exports Open Door principles of John Hay

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World War I 1914-1920

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  1. World War I1914-1920

  2. Wilson and Mexico • 1913 Wilson became president • Believed American economic expansion + democratic principles = civilizing force in the world • Emphasized foreign investments and industrial exports • Open Door principles of John Hay • Strong diplomatic and military measure to achieve economic supremacy • Wilson’s problems in Mexico foreshadowed those in WWI • New government in Mexico promised land reform • This made U.S. with $11 billion invested very nervous • Wilson refused to except ouster of Madero, Huerta because he was unlawful • Wilson used a minor insult to attack Veracruz • Poncho Villa tried to draw U.S. into war – raided U.S. and killed Americans • Villa evaded US army of 15,000 for over a year • Wilson didn’t go to war with Mexico because he didn’t want to weaken US position with Germany • Wilson believed capitalist development, democracy and free trade were wave of future • Wilson believed in Moral Values  WWI

  3. The Great War Europe: • Triple Alliance aka The Central Powers • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • Triple Entente aka The Allies • Great Britain, France, Russia • Competition of Great Britain and Germany • GB: long-standing dominant power • Germany: aspirations of empire • Alliances kept countries from going to war over small conflicts from 19th-20th century • Inclusiveness was its weakness • Could draw others into war that did erupt • 1914 archduke of Austro-Hungary assassinated in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist • He thought Bosnia should be annexed by Serbia • Germany backed retaliation by Austro-Hungary • Serbia asked for Russian help • War declared by both sides • Stalemate in northern France • New weapons: machine guns, tanks, trench warfare = 5 million killed in 2.5 years

  4. Run-up to War • Wilson urged Americans to be “impartial in thought and action” • Germany declares waters around British Isle a war zone • May 7, 1915 German U-boat sinks Lusitania killing 1200, 128 Americans • Americans demand strong stance against Germany but don’t want war • March 1916 German U-boat torpedoes French Sussex injuring 4 Americans • Pres. Wilson threatens to cut off diplomatic relations • June 1916 National Defense Act doubles the size of US army and increases spending of new battleships, cruisers and destroyers • Anti-war feelings still very strong in US • Wilson’s “He kept us out of war” campaign 1916 • Germany declares unlimited submarine warfare gambling to destroy Allies before America can arrive • March 1, 1917 Zimmerman Note intercepted • Germany encouraging Mexico to take back New Mexico, Texas and Arizona • US merchant ships are armed and allowed to shoot • Germans sink 7 US merchant ships killing many • April 2, 1917 Wilson asks congress for war • Wilson’s case based on America’s special mission as mankind’s most enlightened and advanced nation to make the world safe for democracy

  5. Selling the War • Committee on Public Information – CPI agency for war promotion led by George Creel • Enlisted 150,000 people to work on CPI committees • Produced more than 100 million pieces of literature- pamphlets, articles, books- explaining causes and meaning of war • Created posters, slides, newspaper ads and films • Used movie stars to help sell war bonds • 75,000 “Four Minute Men” gave patriotic speeches before stage and movie shows • Aggressively negative campaign against Germans • Huns = bestial monsters/ uncivilized • German music, language and books banned

  6. The Draft • Selective Service Act- registration of all men ages 21-35 • Different from Civil War draft- couldn’t buy your way out of service by paying for a substitute • June 5, 1917 10 million register • Aug. 1918 extended age limits to 18-45 • Illiteracy rates among troops as high as 25% • Low test scores of immigrants and African Americans reflect biases of tests

  7. African Americans in the Military • Organized in segregated units • Barred from Marines and Coast Guard • Worked as cooks, laundrymen, stevedores • Endured humiliating and violent treatment form southern white officers • Faced hostility from white civilians • 200,000 served in France • 1 in 5 saw combat compared to 1 in 3 white soldiers • Black combat units served with distinction in some French divisions • The all black 369th US infantry served in trenches for 191 days, longest of any American regiment • French government awarded entire regiment the Croix de Guerre • Enjoyed better treatment in military and by civilians in France than in US

  8. America’s Effect on the War • AEF- American Expeditionary Forces- specially trained US troops • 70,000 AEF soldiers helped the French stop the Germans from reaching Paris in June 1918 • September 1918 AEF troops took over southern part of a 200 mile front in the Meuse-Argonne offensive  German surrender • November 11, 1918 war ends • Massive influx of American troops hastened the end of the war by ending the stalemate • 52,000+ died in battle, 60,000 died from influenza and pneumonia

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