SSUSH15A thru D & 16A World War One

SSUSH15A thru D & 16A World War One

Pre-War Relations with Mexico An International Crisis was awaiting President Woodrow Wilson when he took office in 1913. Neighboring Mexico was in a Revolution due to years of poverty, oppressive laws, and dictatorship. 1884 1911: Mexico was under the control of a Caudillo (Dictator) named Porfirio Diaz. 1911 1913: Democratically minded Francisco Madero attempted to make changes as President of Mexico until he was assassinated. 1913: General Victoriano Huerta seized power and continued Mexico s brutal & corrupt rule.

Pre-War Relations with Mexico President Woodrow Wilson refused to recognize the new government and General Huerta was overthrow. 1914: Revolutionary Leader, Venustiano Carranza, became President of Mexico. Anti-American Forces in Mexico opposed the new president and Continued the Revolution. Mexican Revolutionary, Poncho Villa, raided towns and ranches in the United States for supplies. Raids conducted by these Mexican Guerillas was also intended to cause Woodrow Wilson to intervene.

Pre-War Relations with Mexico President Woodrow Wilson sent 6,000 U.S. Troops under Maj. Gen. John J. Pershing to find & capture Poncho Villa. 1916 1917: The Mexican Punitive Expedition into Mexico succeeded in routing the Mexican Guerillas and wounding Poncho Villa. It also served as a good training for the U.S. Army troops that might soon enter World War One. However, growing concerns over the war in Europe caused the President to recall the troops home. Unfortunately, the Mexican Expedition also damaged U.S. Foreign relations with Latin America & Britain.

Pre-War Problems in Europe The roots of World War One date back to the 1860 s: 1848 1871: Nationalist Revolutions against Austrian Rulers resulted in the Unification of Germany & Italy. 1870 1871: Prussia fought the Franco-Prussian War to solidify German Unification. 1882: The Triple Alliance between Germany, Italy & Austria-Hungary was designed to protect them from possible French Aggression. 1907: France, Britain, and Russia formed the Triple Entente to protect themselves against the growing power of Germany.

The Naval Arms Race 1890 s: Germany began to build a naval fleet to rival the British Navy. The British Navy responded by building the Battleship known as the HMS Dreadnought. Increased Steel Hull Thickness Utilized Steam Turbine Propulsion Armed with Heavy Caliber Guns Dreadnought styled Battleships became symbols of National Power in the world. Japan s Battleship Satsuma (1906) Germany s SMS Rheinland (1907) America s USS South Carolina (1907)

Due to Alliance France pledges Support to Russia FRANCE Great Britain declared War on Germany GREAT BRITAIN Great Britain declared War on Austria Europe Goes to War The Immediate Causes of WWI 2 Aug 1914 3 Aug 1914 4 Aug 1914 12 Aug 1914 World War One GERMANY AUSTRIA-HUNGARY 28 June 1914 Germany declares War on France Germany declared War on Russia Declared War 28 July 1914 Assassinated Archduke Ferdinand SERBIA Entered War in 1916 as Central Power 1 Aug 1914 5 Aug 1914 ITALY Switched Sides in 1916 29 Jul 1914 O T T O M A N Russian Troops Struggle to Defend along Eastern Front E M P I R E RUSSIA Russian Army Mobilizes to Support Serbia

America s Initial Response As a result of the war, the two alliances became known as: Central Powers = Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Until 1916) Allied Powers = France, Britain, and Russia (Until 1917) When fighting began, President Woodrow Wilson declared Neutrality to keep the United States out of foreign affairs. Britain influenced the American public by using Propaganda stories of German war atrocities to gain their support. Many American Political and Military Leaders favored supporting the Allied Powers to preserve the International Balance of Power in the world. Many American Businessmen with strong ties to Europe also supported and invested in an Allied Victory.

The U.S. Moves Toward War 1914: J. P. Morgan and Co. became the leading U.S. financer of the war for England & France. 1914: Britain deployed their navy to blockade supplies headed for Germany or its allies. 1915: Germany changed their naval policy to begin Unrestricted Submarine Warfare against all ships in British waters. 7 May 1915: A German Submarine (U-Boat) sunk the British Passenger Liner Lusitania, killing about 1200 people. Many outraged Americans called for war with Germany.

The Sinking of the Lusitania: Analyzing Point of View

The U.S. Moves Toward War President Woodrow Wilson steered the middle course on the issue: He refused to take Extreme Measures against Germany But, he insisted in Safeguarding Noncombatant Lives Mar 1916: Wanting to avoid bringing the U.S. into the war, Germany agreed to the Sussex Pledge. Promised not to sink merchant ships without proper warning. Jan 1917: The U.S. received a copy of a German Telegram sent to Mexico offering an alliance between them against the United States. Promising to provide Mexico with financial and military support Promising to help them get back Texas, Arizona, & New Mexico President Venustiano Carranza declined the generous offer

The Zimmerman Telegram: Analyzing Point of View Coded Telegram sent to Mexico Decoded Telegram sent by Britain

The U.S. Moves Toward War American s called for war again after reports of the telegram reached the newspapers. President Woodrow Wilson tried to avoid conflict based on unverified accusations. Mar 1917: German Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, admitted that the telegram was true. By Mar 1917: Germany resumed Unrestricted Submarine Warfare. Mar - Apr 1917: 6 U.S. Merchant Ships were sunk with 63 lives lost. 2 Apr 1917: President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to Declare War on Germany.

The U.S. Mobilizes for War 18 May 1917: President Woodrow Wilson and Congress enacted the Selective Service Act. Registration of ALL Males between 21 and 20 years old. Individuals were drawn by random lottery. No Substitutions were authorized (like in the Civil War). Aug 1918: Congress Amended the drafting age to between 18 and 45. By the end of World War One: 2 Million American men had volunteered for service. 2.8 Million American men were drafted into the service.

The U.S. Mobilizes for War World War One is the first war in which Women Officially Served in the Armed Forces. Only allowed in non-combat positions. U.S. Navy was the first to enlist them for clerical and nursing services. Over 11,000 served in the Navy. U.S. Army hired civilians for clerical jobs. U.S. Army enlisted women as Nurses. U.S. Army Nurses were the only enlisted women to actually serve overseas. Over 20,000 served in the Army.

The U.S. Mobilizes for War The United States had to quickly organize and mobilize its work force. July 1917: The War Industries Board (WIB) was created to coordinate the production of war materials. Mar 1918: The National War Labor Board (NWLB) was established to prevent strikes from disrupting the war effort. Prominent Labor Attorneys to mediate disputes. Pressured Industries to grant concessions to workers. Increased Membership in Unions occurred. Increased Industrial job opportunities for Women & African-Americans. The Great Migration = About 500,000 African-Americans left the South to take Industrial Jobs in Northern Cities.

U.S. Public Support for the War The Government needed about $44 Million a day to conduct the war. They borrowed more than $20 Billion from Americans. Agreeing to pay it back with interest after the war. The Federal Food Administration, under Secretary Herbert Hoover, asked Americans to plant Victory Gardens. The Federal Fuel Administration, under Harry Garfield, introduced Daylight Savings Time to conserve fuel..

The U.S. Mobilizes for War The Committee of Public Information was given the task of Selling the War to the American Public. Former Muckraker Journalists George Creel headed the agency. Hired Artists, Authors, Songwriters, Entertainers. Four-Minute Men gave motivational public speeches. The Espionage Act of 1917: Made it illegal to for anyone to aid the enemy. The Sedition Act of 1918: Made it illegal to for anyone to publically speak against the war, the government, or president. 1919: Supreme Court, in Schenck vs- the U.S., ruled against Freedom of Speech if the words posed a Clear and Present Danger to National Security.

The U.S. in World War I Maj. Gen. John J. Black Jack Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Force in World War I. 2 Million American Doughboys served in Europe. They were engaged in 13 different campaigns. The most famous battles were: Chateau-Thierry (May 1918) Belleau Wood (June 1918) The Marne (Jul-Aug 1918) Saint Mihiel (Sept 1918) Argonne Forest (Sep-Nov 1918) 11 Nov 1918: Armistice Signed

The U.S. in World War I World War One Some Famous U.S. Units and Fighting Men of World War One included: 369 th U.S. Inf: Hellfighters of Harlem 308 th U.S. Inf: The Lost Battalion Sergeant Alvin C. York Company G, 328 th U.S. Infantry Captain Eddie Rickenbacker U.S. Air Service Major Charles Whittlesey 308 th U.S. Infantry

The Flawed Peace President Woodrow Wilson presented his plan known as the Fourteen Points. Providing Justice for all People and Nationalities Promoting the Right of Self-Determination Establishing a General Association for World Peace The other three leaders of the Big Four didn t agree with the proposal. 28 June 1919: Despite the President s hopes, the terms of the Treaty of Versailles signed by Germany were very harsh. The harshest part of the treaty was known as the War Guilt Clause. It required Germany to pay $33 Billion in Reparations (War Damages). Although the treaty adopted the idea for a League of Nations, the United States refused to ratify the treaty or join the new organization.

The War s Impact Loosened Government Controls after the war caused: Race to buy goods = Rapid Rise in Prices = Increased Inflation Ultimately, the Cost of Living rose more than 15% Operating Cost for Companies also caused: New Restriction on Wages = Dissatisfied Workers = Wave of Strikes Feb 1919: Shipyard Workers in Seattle sparked a General Strike. Sep 1919: Boston Police Strike caused mass Rioting and Looting. 1919-1920: U.S. Steel experienced a General Steelworkers Strike. July 1919: Chicago Race Riot occurred over jobs and segregated beaches. Strikes caused a fear of Communist Revolution known as the Red Scare. J. Edgar Hoover headed the new Federal Bureau of Investigation to arrest and deport radical foreigners advocating violence