World War I and It’s Aftermath

1. World War I and It’s Aftermath American History (B) Mr. Simmons

2. Wilson’s Diplomacy • Wilson opposed imperialism and believed democracy was necessary to keep nation stable, he opposed revolution and war • 1911 revolution in Mexico, Victoriano Huerta seized power Wilson refused to recognize Huerta. • Wilson sent marines to Veracruz port to help support overthrow of Huerta. • Anti-American riots broke out, Pancho Villa led group into U.S. to carry out surprise attacks. • John Pershing was sent by Wilson into Mexico to capture Villa but was unsuccessful. This conflict hurt U.S. foreign relations.

3. Outbreak of WWI • WWI can be traced back to 1860 when Prussia united Germany. • Germany and France were enemies. • Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. • France and Russia formed the Franco-Russian Alliance. • Great Britain remained neutral until early 1900’s when they joined France and Russia forming the Triple Entente.

4. Outbreak of WWI • Nationalism – intense pride for homeland • Self-determination – people of that homeland should have own government and country. • Led to crisis in Balkans (Ottoman Empire) • Heir to Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Bosnian revolutionary. This Act set off chain o events that led to WWI

5. WWI begins • On July 28,1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, 8/01 Germany declared war on Russia, 8/03 France declared war on Germany. • Allies – France, Russia, Britain, later Italy • Central Powers – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Ottoman Empire.

6. American Neutrality • Wilson declared U.S. to be neutral • Americans mostly supported allied cause. • British skillfully used propaganda-information used to influence opinion, to gain American support. • Americans tie to the war (business loans)

7. Moving Toward War • British Navy blockaded Germany, Germany deployed U-boats and threatened any ship entering British waters was fair game. • Sinking of the Lusitania, killed 130 Americans. • Sussex Pledge – agreement Germany would no longer sink merchant ships, kept U.S. out of war a bit longer • Zimmerman Telegram was intercepted (Mexico and German alliance) Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare sinking six U.. Merchant ships. • U.S. declared war on Germany April 1, 1917.

8. Discussion Questions • What events led to beginning of WWI? • What events led to American involvement in WWI?

9. Building the Military • Military needed more troops, though many thought conscription (forced military service) violated democratic ideas. • The selective service resulted in 2.8 million new soldiers • First war in which women officially served, all positions were non-combat, nurses were only women to go over seas.

10. Organizing Industry • 1917 the War Industries Board was created to organize production of war materials • Food Administration (rationed food) • Fuel administration (rationed coal, oil) • Daylight Savings Time was introduced to conserve energy • Sale of Liberty and Victory Bonds

11. Mobilizing Workforce • National War Labor Board – ended labor disputes during war time. • More women had to join workforce • “Great Migration” African Americans leaving the South to move North, job openings

12. Public Support • Espionage Act – consequences for those who aided the enemy • Sedition Act – illegal to criticize president or government • Schenck v. U.S. – Supreme court limited freedom of speech if it presented “clear and present danger”

13. Discussion Questions • Do the Espionage and Sedition Acts still apply today? • Can selective service be used today? • What types of sacrifices did Americans have to endure during WWI?

14. Combat in WWI • By 1917 WWI had claimed millions of European lives, Americans thought they could bring a quick end to the fighting. • Trench Warfare – created long standoffs between opposing sides • No Man’s Land (space in between trenches) • Modern Weapons – machine guns, tanks, poison gas (Battle of Ypres)

15. Americans enter War • Doughboys – American soldiers • Convoys – groups of ships, merchant and supply, were brought across Atlantic by warships • Russian involvement – Vladimir Lenin overthrew government replacing it with Communism. Bolshevik Party took control and signed peace treaty with Germany (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk), closed eastern front for Germany • John Pershing put together massive attack on western front advancing American forces forcing Germany to sign armistice, or ceasefire. (Battle of Marne)

16. A Flawed Peace • In January, 1919 leaders of allied nations met to discuss problems after war, Wilson discussed 14 points – free trade, open diplomacy, self-determination, evacuation of territory by Central powers. • League of nations was idea to prevent war from happening again • 14 points was weakened by Treaty of Versailles that forced scale down of German military and reparations to be paid. • The U.S. Government could not even agree to the treaty of Wilson’s 14 points and did not become member of league of nations.

17. League of Nations • How many delegations went to Versailles? • What seemed more important to the others than the League? • Who wrote the Round Robin Resolution? What did it say? • What region did France want to take? • What city did the Italians especially want? • Why were Germans unhappy with the treaty provisions? • What Senate committee considered the treaty? Who was chairman? • What Senate group most liked the treaty? What senate group least liked it? What indicated that Americans were not interested in the League anymore?

18. Economy in Turmoil • Rapid inflation occurred after the war when Government agencies removed controls on the economy. (Increase in cost of living) • Increase in number of strikes, General Strikes- involving all workers in certain area • Boston Police strike of 1919, National guard called in to stop looting, upon return all police were fired and replaced.

19. Racial Unrest • When soldiers returned they were competing with hundreds of thousands of African Americans who had moved North during the War for jobs. • Chicago Race riots (1919) • Red Scare – panic cause by strikes and that “Reds” or communist might take control. Communism was associated with disloyal or unpatriotic behavior. • Mail Bombs (U.S. Attorney General Mitchell Palmer) • Palmer set up the General Intelligence Division headed by J. Edgar Hoover (FBI)

20. End to Progressivism • Warren G. Harding won the presidential election of 1920. • Platform consisted of “return to normalcy” • Won election by landslide • American people liked the idea of returning to simpler time before progressive reforms.

21. Discussion Questions • What was the main reason for racial violence in the North after WWI? • How did the Red Scare change the attitude of Americans toward immigrants? • Why did Americans want to return to “normalcy”?