The Great War 1914 1918
Causes of WWI the MAIN long-term causes of the First World War militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism Europe had become tangled in a web of military alliances resulted in Triple Alliance ( Central Powers & Italy) vs. Triple Entente (Allies) outbreak of war sparked by assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Wilson immediately declared U.S. neutrality upheld tradition of isolationism naval blockades by both sides made U.S. neutrality difficult
Background Info several names used at the time to describe World War One The Great War / World War / The War to End All Wars Western Front became bloody stalemate defined by trench warfare characterized by no mans land and charging over the top several new weapons emerged that still influence modern warfare modernized machine guns and artillery advanced submarines especially German U-boats airplanes engaged in recon and dogfights extensive chemical warfare chlorine & mustard gas British developed armored tank more than 9 million military personnel killed during conflict overall death toll estimates range from 15 to 65 million
Long-range causes of U.S. Involvement sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 outraged the American public British passenger ship carrying 128 Americans sunk by German U-boat sinking of Arabic (1915) killed 2 Americans Germany agreed to restrict attacks Germany practiced restricted sub warfare until 1916 sinking of Sussex threats by Wilson resulted in Sussex Pledge [M] (honored by Germany until 1917) most Americans sympathized with Britain and France economic/political ties and fear of German naval power conflict caused humanitarian conditions to decline across Europe many Americans felt obligated to help end starvation & disease
Debate about America s Role Lusitania crisis led some Republicans (TR) to call for U.S. entry but majority of Americans opposed U.S. involvement Eastern Reps (TR) worried about the condition of the Army and Navy sparked calls for preparedness greater defense expenditures business leaders organized National Security League {preparedness campaign} Wilson opposed the calls for preparedness at first changed policy in late 1915 and got Congress to pass National Defense Act Populists, Progressives, and Socialists led anti-war campaign leading peace-minded Progressives = W.J. Bryan, Jane Addams, Jeanette Rankin Jeanette Rankin became first woman to be elected to Congress in 1916
Immediate Causes of U.S. Involvement Germans resumed unrestricted sub warfare in January 1917 Wilson immediately broke diplomatic relations but hesitated to declare war German Foreign Secretary Zimmerman asked Mexico to attack U.S. the Zimmerman Telegram represented direct threat to American public 1917 Russian Revolution also made war a fight to save democracy Wilson asked Congress to declare war in April 1917 despite He kept us out war 1916 re-election campaign slogan
U.S. Mobilization U.S. created Committee on Public Info to inspire the Home Front War Industries Board created to coordinate industrial and ag production women and minorities replaced white male factory workers 1917 Selective Service Act passed to authorize conscription all adult males had to register for a military draft CPI propaganda (G. Creel) encouraged public to conserve resources people planted victory gardens and participated in Meatless Mondays daylight savings time established to conserve energy
Constitutional Issues federal government expanded its power similar to previous wars large bureaucracy controlled communication, railroads, and industry opposition to involvement led to restrictions on civil liberties 1917 Espionage Act prevented use of mail system to interfere with war effort 1918 Sedition Act made it illegal to speak out against any aspect of U.S. govt Supreme Court upheld Espionage Act in Schenck v United States Schenck was a prominent socialist that had mailed leaflets opposing draft Justice Oliver Holmes said clear and present danger could suspend liberties paranoia had increased after 1917 communist revolution in Russia Radical labor unions (I.W.W.) and socialists (Debs) were branded as enemies FBI created to prevent radicals from taking over
America in WWI Gen John J. Pershing led American Expeditionary Force to France European Allies called them doughboys at first due to inexperience but the fresh, strong, & energized U.S. troops helped the Allies win WWI U.S. troops played role in turning back the German advance on Paris early contributions in battles of Château-Thierry and Belleau Wood and a victory in the Argonne Forest helped force a massive German retreat each side agreed to an Armistice in November 1918 11/11 became Armistice Day later changed to Veterans Day
The Convoy System German U-boats were sinking hundreds of Allied supply ships the U.S. used the convoy system for protection warships and supply ships traveled together in large groups
Wilson s Post-war Vision most of The Big Four sought revenge and to punish Germany David Lloyd George (GB), Georges Clemenceau (FR), Vittorio Orlando (Italy) in contrast, Wilson desired a peace without victory Wilson had announced his Fourteen Points for peace in 1918 end to secret treaties, freedom of the seas, and weapons reduction new management of European colonies and self determination also called for creation of a League of Nations caused controversy in U.S.
Forging a Treaty the Treaty of Versailles ended WWI by humiliating Germany Allies forced Germany to accept full blame, forfeit land, and pay reparations but they did create the League of Nations that Wilson had envisioned Versailles Treaty caused intense debate and division in Congress conflict fueled primarily by League of Nations, particularly Article X Senate split into 3 groups Dems, Irreconcilables and Reservationists Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (Reservationists) became loudest opposition U.S. didn t sign the treaty or join the league renewed isolationism