America in World War I: Impact at Home & Abroad

1. Lesson 7 World War I: Over There and Over Here:America In The War

2. Lesson Objectives •  Understand the role of the US in the war to 1916. •  Understand the concept of unrestricted submarine warfare and discuss its impact on the war. •  Understand how and why the U.S. entered World War I. •  Understand the impact of the war on British and U.S. society. •  Be able to describe the efforts made to mobilize the American public in World War I.

3. Phases of World War I 1914 - Maneuver and Frustration 1915 - Search for New Solutions 1916 - Attrition 1917 - Desperation and Anticipation

4. Review of the War August 3, 1914 Germany invades Belgium; war begins Sept 5-10, 1914 “Miracle of the Marne”; German invasion halted October 1914 Race to the Sea ends; Stalemate on Western Front 1915 Sea blockades established around UK and Germany Feb 1915-Jan 1916 Dardanelles Campaign (Gallipoli) 1916 Germans accept futility of breakthrough on Western Front, adopt attrition strategy against French at Verdun 1

5. Review of the War Feb - Dec 1916 Battle of Verdun (German Offensive) Battle of the Somme (Allied Offensive) Jul - Nov 1916 1 Feb 1917 German decision for unrestricted sub warfare Mar 1917 Germans withdraw to Hindenburg Line 2

6. Submarine Warfare Submarines were an unproven weapon • No doctrine for use • Little support from establishment

7. German U-boats Germany had about 20 operational Unterseeboots at the beginning of the war Small, short ranged, gasoline powered U-9 Displacement: 600 tons (submerged) Range: 3,300 miles (surface) 6 torpedoes U-boat.net http://uboat.net/wwi/

8. German U-boats U-9

9. German U-boats U-9 (1910) Displacement: 600 tons (submerged) Range: 3,300 miles (surface) 6 torpedoes Mittel-class (1915) Displacement: 950 tons (submerged) Range: 11,000 miles (surface) 16 torpedoes U-boat.net http://uboat.net/wwi/

10. German U-boats Ocean Minelaying Submarines Type UE 2(1916) Displacement: 1,500 tons (submerged) Range: 13,900 miles (surface) 14 torpedoes / 42 mines U-boat.net http://uboat.net/wwi/

11. Blockade Running Sub Cargo Submarine Deutschland New London, Connecticut – November 1916 Cargo Submarine Deutschland Baltimore, Maryland – July 1916 Cargo: Germany-US: dyes, pharmaceuticals, gemstones US-Germany: strategic materials (nickel, tin, rubber) Maryland Historical Society

12. Blockade Running Sub U-155 (ex-Deutschland)(1916/1917) Displacement: 1,875 tons (submerged) Range: 25,000 miles (surface) 18 torpedoes Commissioned in the Imperial Navy February 1917 U-boat.net http://uboat.net/wwi/

13. German Commerce Raider Blockade Running Sub U-155 (ex-Deutschland) Stopping merchant ship for inspection U-boat.net http://uboat.net/wwi/

14. The Victims

15. The Victims

16. The Victims

17. Timetable to Warfor US Lusitania torpedoed May 7, 1915

18. The Victims RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915 U-20

19. The Victims RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915 Lusitania sank in 18 minutes

20. The Victims RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915 Lost: 1,198 of 1,959 souls on board Including 128 Americans, 49 children Compared with daily casualty figures at the Front, the Lusitania fatalities were tiny. But world reaction to what had occurred off the Irish coast Friday 7 May 1915 was enormous. Diane Preston Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy

21. Timetable to Warfor US Lusitania torpedoed May 7, 1915 Army Reorganization Act Mar 15, 1916 Wilson begins peace initiative Dec 1916 Jan 22, 1917 Wilson calls for peace without victory

22. Woodrow T. Wilson 28th President of the United States Grew up in Georgia (Augusta) Princeton graduate Academic Career Governor of New Jersey (1911-1913) President 1913-1921 (Democrat) Termed a Progressive, idealist Active presidency Federal Reserve Act Clayton Antitrust Act Federal Trade Commission Act Re-established Progressive Income Tax 1856 - 1924

23. Timetable to Warfor US Lusitania torpedoed Army Reorganization Act Wilson begins peace initiative Wilson calls for peace without victory May 7, 1915 Mar 15, 1916 Dec 1916 Jan 22, 1917 Feb 1, 1917 Germany resumes unrestricted sub warfare Feb 3, 1917 US breaks relations with Germany Zimmerman Telegram revealed Feb 24, 1917 (the “Strategic Distraction” from previous lesson)

24. Zimmerman Telegram Sent by German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman • To Embassy in Washington, January 16, 1917 Ambassador forwarded to Embassy in Mexico British intercepted message, passed to US Publication of message enflamed US!

25. Zimmerman Telegram Berlin, January 19, 1917 On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.... You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. Zimmerman(Secretary of State)

26. Timetable to War Lusitania sunk Army Reorganization Act Wilson begins peace initiative Wilson calls for peace without victory Germany resumes unrestricted sub warfare US breaks relations with German Zimmerman Telegram revealed May 7, 1915 Mar 15, 1916 Dec 1916 Jan 22, 1917 Feb 1, 1917 Feb 3, 1917 Feb 24, 1917 Apr 2, 1917 Wilson asks for war declaration

27. Declaration of War April 2, 1917 President Wilson asked Congress for declaration of war April 4, 1917 Senate approved 82 – 6 April 6, 1917 House approved 373 - 50

28. Declaration of War

29. Why Did The US Enter the War? Unrestricted submarine warfare • US tradition of defending Freedom of the Seas

30. Why Did The US Enter the War? Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman Telegram • Posed a direct threat to the U.S. • Challenged Monroe Doctrine • Revelation focused Americans on war issue

31. Why Did The US Enter the War? Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman Telegram Make the World Safe for Democracy • Democracy vs. Autocracy

32. Why Did The US Enter the War? Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman Telegram Make the World Safe for Democracy American “Non-Neutrality” • Trade with belligerents, mostly Britain

33. Why Did The US Enter the War? Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman Telegram Make the World Safe for Democracy American “Non-Neutrality” American Frustration • Lack of response to peace feelers

34. Why Did The US Enter the War? Another view A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963) German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side.

35. Why Did The US Enter the War? Another view A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963) German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that the chances of good profits were being lost. At first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that the chances of good profits were being lost.

36. Why Did The US Enter the War? Another view A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963) German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that the chances of good profits were being lost. Large funds were extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British and French orders. The economy boomed. Large funds were extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British and French orders. The economy boomed.

37. Why Did The US Enter the War? Another view A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963) German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that the chances of good profits were being lost. Large funds were extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British and French orders. The economy boomed. If the German submarines stopped this trade, there would be depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the American loans would be lost also. If the German submarines stopped this trade, there would be depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the American loans would be lost also.

38. Why Did The US Enter the War? Another view A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First World War: An Illustrated History (1963) German submarines forced the United States into the war. But it would be too simple to say that America fought solely for the freedom of the seas, still less of course for the sake of New Mexico. The United States were already committed to the Allied side. At first, the American Government had tried to remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon businessmen complained that the chances of good profits were being lost. Large funds were extended to the Allies. Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British and French orders. The economy boomed. If the German submarines stopped this trade, there would be depression, crisis. If the Allies lost the war, the American loans would be lost also. In the end, the United States went to war so that America could remain prosperous and rich.

39. Why Did The US Enter the War? Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman Telegram Make the World Safe for Democracy American “Non-Neutrality” American Frustration Protect US Economic Interests

40. Grand Strategy 101 Why did Great Britain go to war in 1914? Maintain European balance of power (Lesson 5, Slide 19) 1917: Britain, France on the ropes Russia in revolution, almost out of the war Germany poised to knock Britain out of the war w/ subs What should the US do? US chose to pursue British objective: maintain balance

41. Why Did The US Enter the War? Unrestricted Submarine Warfare The Zimmerman Telegram Make the World Safe for Democracy American “Non-Neutrality” American Frustration Protect US Economic Interests Maintain European Balance of Power

42. Entry of the US into the War Video  HIGHLIGHTS: Irish Revolt Mexican Border Incursion Election of 1916 Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

43. Mobilization Goal: Mobilize America for Total War • National Unity • Military Manpower • Industry How do you do this?

44. Mobilization Goal: Mobilize America for Total War • Build Popular Support • National Unity • Military Manpower • Industry How do you do that?

45. Propaganda ! Propaganda is persuading people to make up their minds while withholding some of the facts from them. Sir Harold Evans (1928 - ) British-born journalist and writer

46. Building Support Propaganda Public Information Committee for Public Information (Creel Commission) Goal: To create "a passionate belief in the justice of America's cause that would weld the American people into one white hot mass instinct with fraternity, devotion, courage and deathless determination." George Creel, 1920

47. Building Support Georgetown University Library http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm

48. Building Support Georgetown University Library http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm

49. Building Support Georgetown University Library http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm

50. Building Support Georgetown University Library http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm