US Neutrality: The Drift to War in WWI

1. WWI- The Great War The United States, Canada, and Latin America

2. US Neutrality The US did not feel the same sense of urgency as western Europe Non-American issues Monroe Doctrine/Big Stick/Dollar Diplomacy had kept European interests out of the west

3. US Neutrality Woodrow Wilson distinctly anti-militaristic US military a fraction of the size of most of Europe U.S. Navy posed little threat to Germany

4. The Case for US Neutrality 1914–25%+ of US population were immigrants. Choosing sides might tear US apart US could trade with both sides dragging it out of depression United States traditionally stayed out of European affairs Wilson despised the idea of war

5. US Neutrality Remaining neutral is not very simple – ask Belgium! US more globally intertwined economically European states began to sell off their US holdings

6. The Allied Blockade Both sides indicated they were not willing to respect US neutrality This prejudiced the US in favor of the allies Both sides ignored international law prohibiting blockading of non-war material German submarine warfare more deadly than British blockade's

7. The Allied Blockade Lead to the sinking of the Lusitania May, 1915 Wilson begin to feel pressure from Republicans The US economy became dependent on allied success due to its loans 1916 – Britain banned certain American firms from doing business in the UK because they were in business with Germany as well

8. Getting Ready 1916 – Wilsons re-election campaign based partly on US neutrality US government debated to what extent should a neutral country militarize Pacifists/socialists/organized labor worried that military expansion could provoke war Wilson realized that the war required more modern military weather US fought in it or not

9. National Defense Act, 1916 Increased army from 80,000 to 223,000 State militias now under federal control Gave president power to mobilize the National Guard Expanded the National Guard to over 400,000 Established Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps

10. Naval Expansion Act, 1916 Multi year building plan 10 dreadnoughts 16 cruisers 50 destroyers

11. Merchant Marine Act, 1916 Federal government could own ships Increased federal power to regulate shipping

12. The Drift to War 1916-Democrats had campaigned on Wilson's neutrality record/Republicans attacked Republicans at this point began to be perceived as the party more likely to guide the country to go to war Foreign-policy split that would continue for decades

13. The Drift to War 1916 – Woodrow Wilson: the internationalist Attempted to bring the belligerents in the war to the negotiation table – no luck 1917 – presented his vision for a postwar world: disputes were negotiated, armaments reduced, ships travel the seas in peace, nations cooperated in an organization

14. The Drift to War Realities of war conspiring against Wilson Planned German submarine attack on Britain would undoubtedly lead to American shipping loss Plan created by Hindenburg and Ludendorff German command reasons it would take a year for American soldiers to reach the Western front

15. The Drift to War January 31, 1917 – German ambassador in Washington announces starting the next day all ships would become targets for German U-boats Some in US government urged immediate declaration of war. Wilson hesitates Zimmerman telegram – pushes the US to war

16. The Drift to War April 2, 1917 – Wilson addresses congress outlining his case for war April 6, 1917 – formal declaration of war is signed

17. Selective Service Act, 1917 A financial commitment would be required – higher taxes/wealth would need to be conscripted US citizens would need to be conscripted as well No time for a volunteer army – no sentiment either – draft mandatory The act passed in May – millions were registering soon after

18. Financing the War New taxes would take too long to reach allies and US war preparations Congress authorizes $7 billion loan to get mobilization moving and help France and Britain Taxes ultimately provided for about 30% of the war cost

19. Financing the War Duties placed on goods and services Liberty bonds Expanded government management of national economies In the US – creation of thousands of government agencies to help with war production

20. The Food Administration Led by future president Herbert Hoover Managed production and distribution of food through largely voluntary measures Bought crops at a fixed price that proved profitable to farmers Food conservation encouraged Food production increased dramatically

21. The War Industries Board (WIB) Led by Bernard Baruch Coordinated the production/purchase of war materials All industries involved in war production were subject to its direction Fixed prices and set wages and hours Factories converted to war production

22. Other Major Agencies Fuel Administration – encouraged and increased fuel production. Bought coal at a fixed price that proved profitable for miners – just like food National War Labor Board- sought to regulate labor relations without worrying about lockouts and strikes Railroad Administration- coordinated the transportation of goods from mines, factories, and fields. Operated American railways as a single system.

23. Other Major Agencies The Shipping Board- oversaw the expansion of shipbuilding to maintain the merchant fleet. Shipping tonnage increased by a factor of 10 during the war Committee on Public Information (CPI)- The attempted coordination of public opinion. Basically, the propaganda machine.

24. Women and the War Effort WWI - The United States

25. The Role of Women in WWI Women had always played an important role in industrial production Assumed male-dominated jobs: white collar (clerks), munitions workers Continued in traditional jobs such as nursing

26. The Role of Women in WWI Independent income led to social freedom After war - the jobs disappeared (economic & social reasons) but social freedoms remained Women's suffrage movement/19th amendment

32. The Role of Women and African Americans in WWI IB 20th Century Topics

33. Opportunities for African-Americans in WWI • “Great Migration.” 1916 – 1919  500,000 • War Industries work. • Enlistment in segregated units.

34. Great Migration of Blacks from South to the Northern US (Race Riots 1917-19) The Great Migration The war opened thousands of industrial jobs to black laborer 500,000 migrated north Increased presence and demands for change  Dozens of blacks were killed during a 1917 riot in East St. Louis, Illinois WW I - The Great Migration

36. Black leaders saw the war as an opportunity for advancement World War I did not bring significant gains Navy barred blacks, army segregated Riots and lynching increased in the South Violence led to a silent march of protest on NY 5th Ave – “Mr. President, Why Not Make America Safe for Democracy?” African Americans and WWI

37. Because of industrial jobs available in WWI, the African-American population in Chicago increased from 44,000 to 109,000, for a total of 148 percent during 1916-1919. The postwar period found tensions rising in numerous cities where populations were increasing rapidly The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 was a major racial conflict that began in Chicago, Illinois on July 27, 1919 and ended on August 3. During the riot, dozens died and hundreds were injured. It is considered the worst of the approximately 25 riots during the Red Summer of 1919, so named because of the violence and fatalities across the nation Chicago Race Riot, 1919

39. “Rescuing a Negro During the Race Riots in Chicago”, 1919

40. Many were forced to work behind the lines jobs The 369th Harlem Hellfighters fought with the French The 369th Infantry Regiment was known for being the first African American Regiment during WWI During the war the 369th's regimental band (under the direction of James Reese) became famous throughout Europe, being the first to introduce the until-then unknown music called jazz to British, French and other audiences, and starting a worldwide demand for it US Troops were segregated black and white WWI: African Americans

41. True Sons of Freedom

43. Held Home Front jobs RR Workers, cooks, bricklayers, dock workers, coal miners, clerks, teachers, and helped to sell liberty bonds Warfront Jobs of Women Red Cross Nurses Radio operators Ambulance drivers Women’s Service in WWI

44. YWCA – The Blue Triangle

45. Munitions Work

46. Women Used In Recruitment

47. The Red Cross - Greatest Mother in the World

48. National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Carrie Chapman Catt National Women’s Party –Alice Paul WW I: Suffrage Movement

50. America’s entry into the war threatened to tear apart the suffrage movement Jeannette Rankin opposed war first woman member of congress Women in general supported the war The National Woman’s Party was militantly fighting for suffrage Alice Paul compared Wilson to the Kaiser denying democracy, chained herself to white house fence, force fed in prison Women’s Suffrage