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Chapter 23, Section 2. The Road to War. “He kept us Out of War”. Wilson wanted peace but saw the need to be prepared in case war could not be avoided 1916 Wilson ran for reelection against Republican Charles Evan Hughes; both supported neutrality
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Chapter 23, Section 2 The Road to War
“He kept us Out of War” • Wilson wanted peace but saw the need to be prepared in case war could not be avoided • 1916 Wilson ran for reelection against Republican Charles Evan Hughes; both supported neutrality • Democrats boosted Wilson’s image with the slogan “He kept us out of war!” • Wilson won reelection • Wilson called on world powers for “peace without victory”
Moving Toward War • Germany warned any neutral nation that it would sink any ship nearing Britain. • The renewal of submarine warfare was a desperate effort to break the Allied blockade • They knew U-boats attacks would bring the U.S. into the war. • To protest Germany’s attraction Wilson cut diplomatic relations • He still hoped for peace
A secret note • Zimmerman telegram: Germany’s foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman gave instructions to the German minister to urge Mexico to attack the U.S. if the U.S. declared war on Germany • In return Germany would help Mexico regain its lost provinces in the American Southwest • When this new broke Anti-German feelings soared
Revolution Russia2 Events push the U.S. closer to war • Germansubmarines sank several American merchant ships • Revolution in Russia drove czar Nicholas II from power • Czar: Russian Emperor; ruled with absolute power
Revolution Russia2 Events push the U.S. closer to war • Several times in the 1800s and early 1900s Russians revolted against czarist rule • Their efforts all ended in failure • Discontent surface when condition in Russia and on the war front worsened • Russian revolted against the czar protesting food shortage • Revolutionaries set up a provisional government calling for democratic reforms
Revolution Russia • Wilson welcomed the Russian revolution because he believed in democracy • It was against his principles to be an ally of the czar • With the new Russian government in power he believed the Allied cause would be stronger
Wilson’s war message • Read Wilson’s war message on page 656 • Why did Wilson believe the United States should declare war? • Democracy • Congress voted in favor of declaring war.
Calling Up the Troops • Americans needed to prepare for war fast • Allies were desperate • Britain had only a few weeks worth of food left • France’s troops were on the verge of collapse • Russian soldiers (Eastern front) were deserting to join the Revolution
A chance to serve • Selective Service Act: Required all men age 21 to 30 to register for military draft • In 18 months 4 million men and women joined the armed forces • Some felt this was their chance for adventure and excitement
“Fighting for democracy” • People from every ethnic group enlisted • 20,000 Puerto Ricans • Filipinos • Many recent immigrants • Native Americans could not be citizens and could not be drafted but enlisted anyway • African American at first could not serve • 2 million registered when Government changed the rules • 400,000 were accepted
Organizing the War Effort • U.S. reorganized its economy to produce food, arms, and other goods need to fight the war • Government agencies weren’t set up to oversee the effort
Food for victory • Herbert Hoover headed the Food Administration • Farmers grew more crops • Families rationed • Wheatless Mondays • Meatless Tuesdays
Factories and Labor • War industries Board; new government agency • Told factories what to produce • Divided up limited resources • Settled disputes over working hours and wages • Due to labor shortage, Unions won better pay and working conditions
Winning Public Support • Liberty Bonds: When American bought bonds they were lending money to the government to pay for war • $21 billion dollars in sales • “Four-Minute men”: speakers urged Americans to make sacrifices for goals of freedom and democracy
Women at Work • Women stepped in to war industry jobs where they received better pay • By performing well in jobs thought only suited for men they changed the view that they were only fit for certain kinds of work
Tensions and Protests • Many African Americans left the south and moved to northern cities to escape poverty and discrimination
Violence against African Americans • In the north competition for housing and jobs caused prejudice and racial violence • 39 African Americans killed during a riot in East St. Louise, Illinois
Immigrants from Mexico • Southwestern farmers pressed the government to allow more Mexicans to cross the border to work on farms • They entered to work on farms and in city factories • After the war the U.S. tried to force them to return to Mexico
Attacks on German Americans • Subjected to suspicion and intolerance during the war • Newspapers questioned their loyalty • Mobs attacked them
Jailing critics • Progressives and Socialists opposed the war • They believed that the war benefited the wealthy owners but not workers • Pacifists: people who refuse to fight in any war • To encourage unity congress passed laws making it a crime to criticize the government or to interfere with war efforts • 1,600 men and women were arrested for breaking these laws • Some felt that silencing critics violated the constitution’s guarantee of free speech • Most felt these laws were necessary in wartime