THE FIRST WORLD WAR

1914-1918

Chapter 23: World War I

World War I Begins The United States Tries to Remain Neutral The Nation Goes to War Wilson Fights for Peace

Causes Of

WWI

Nationalism

AllianceSystem

Imperialism

Assassination

Militarism

1. NATIONALISM A devotion to the interests

and culture of one’s nation. (Love of your Country)

This led to competition and rivalries among nations and ethnic groups were no longer protected.

Russia and Austria-Hungary disagreed over the treatment of Serbs in central Europe

2. IMPERIALISM

Imperialism-Ambition of a powerful nation to dominate the political, economic, and cultural affairs of another nation or region

Seizure of a weaker country by a stronger one

IMPERIALISM Colonies supplied European nations with raw materials and provided markets for manufactured goods

As Germany industrialized it competed directly with France and Britain

Major European countries also competed for land in Africa

3. MILITARISM

Militarism—policy of glorifying military power, preparing an army

The development of armed forces and their use as a tool of diplomacy.

MILITARISM Empires had to be defended and European nations increased military spending enormously in the late 19th and early 20th century

By 1890 the strongest nation militarily in Europe was Germany

Germany had a strong army and built up a navy to rival England’s fleet

France, Italy, Japan and the United States quickly joined in the naval buildup

#19

Battleships were being stockpiled by European nations, Japan and America in the late 19th and

early 20th century

4. ALLIANCE SYSTEM Members of alliances attack a

nation if one of their Allies or themselves are attacked.

By 1907 there were two major defense alliances in Europe

The Triple Entente, later known as the

Allies- France, Great Britain, and

Russia

The Triple Alliance, later known as the

Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary,

Italy, and the Ottoman Empire

5. ASSASSINATION

Archduke Franz Ferdinand: Heir to Austrian-

Hungarian throne. June 28, 1914 Assassinated in

Sarajevo, Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist (Gavrilo Princip)

Balkan Region of Europe

The Balkan region was considered “the powder keg of Europe” due to competing interests in the area

Russia wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea

Germany wanted a rail link to the Ottoman Empire

Austria-Hungary, which had taken control of Bosnia in 1878, accused Serbia of subverting its rule over Bosnia

The Archduke is assassinated in Sarajevo in June 1914

Bosnian Crisis of 1908Another conflict was incited by the Austria-Hungarian annexation of the former Turkish province of Bosnia in 1908. The Greater Serbian movement had as an object the acquisition of Slavic Bosnia, so Serbia threatened war on Austria-Hungary. Russia had pledged their support to Serbia, so they began to mobilize, which caused Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, to threaten war on Russia. The beginning of World War I was postponed when Russia backed down, but relations between Austria- Hungary and Serbia were greatly strained.

Ultimatum- list of demands, that if not met will lead to serious consequences Demands: Serbian government would condemn all propaganda

against Austria- Hungary and suppress publication and societies that opposed Austria- Hungary

Serbia would ban from its schools books and teachers who did not favor Austria- Hungary.

Serbia would dismiss any officials who had promoted propaganda against Austria-Hungary

Austro-Hungarian officials would participate in the proceedings against those accused of the crime at Sarajevo.

It Serbia didn’t agree Austria-Hungary would resort to military action.

Alliance System kicks in Small conflict escalates to World War Austria-Hungary assumed it would achieve a

quick victory declared war on Serbia on July 28th after the time limit of the ultimatum expired (Russia moves troops towards Austria/German border)

August 1, 1914 Germany declared War on Russia.

August 3, 1914 Germany declared war on France figuring they would help Russia

The alliance system pulled one nation after another into war.

Section 2: The United States Tries to Remain Neutral President Wilson

“He kept us out of war”

We favor the allies

America & the War

Americans did not want to join a war over 3,000 miles away.

Most Americans had ties in Europe, they still had relatives there.

Germany’s style of attacking made Americans lean towards the Allies

America (con’t)

America’s economy was tied more with the Allies’ nations than the Central Powers nations.

The U.S. had a labor shortage during the war.

The U.S. sent more goods to the Allies’ side than the Central Powers’ side.

Germany Invades Belgium

August 3, 1914 – Germany invades Belgium in order to reach France quickly.

Great Britain declared war on Germany for invading their ally and also on Austria-Hungary.

WWI HAS BEGUN !!!!

THE FIGHTING BEGINS

Schlieffen Plan- German plan to defeat France, then fight Russia

This plan called for a quick strike through Belgium to Paris, France, then, Germany would attack Russia

The plan was designed to prevent a two-front war for Germany

The Schliefflen Plan

THE WAR BECOMES A STALEMATE

Unable to save Belgium, the Allies retreated to the Marne River in France where they halted the German advance in September of 1914

Both sides dug in for a long siege

By the spring of 1915, two parallel systems of deep trenches crossed France from Belgium to Switzerland

Between enemy trenches was “no man’s land” – an area pockmarked with shell craters and filled with barbed wire

British soldiers standing in mud

FIRST BATTLE OF THE SOMME

During the First Battle of the Somme - which began July 1, 1916 and lasted until mid-November – the British suffered 60,000 casualties the first day

Final casualties for the First Battle of the Somme totaled 1.2 million, yet only 7 miles of ground was gained

This bloody trench warfare, in which armies fought for mere yards of ground, lasted for three years

Gas attacks were common features of trench life and often

caused blindness and lung disease

Weapons of World War I

Innovations in Warfare

Industrialized war (mass production) Machine gun- rapid firing bullets Trenches were dug and used 1916 tank was 1st introduced by British. Armored

vehicle/ mounted guns Airplane- used to watch troop movements and drop

bombs. Germany was 1st to introduce submarines (U-

Boats) Germany also used poison gas

German soldiers in their trenches near Antwerp (September 1914)  

A British trench - the soldier on the right is on guard - the others are resting. 

Dead bodies in a trench after an attack

Horse Casualties

German soldiers after rat hunting in their trenches

German soldiers lice hunting in the trenches near Reims (1915)

Blinded by Mustard Gas

Animals were also susceptible to gas

THE WAR HITS HOME

During the first two years of the war, America was providing (selling) the allied forces dynamite, cannon powder, submarines, copper wire and tubing and other war material

Both the Germans and British imposed naval blockades on each other

The Germans used U-boats (submarines) to prevent shipments to the North Atlantic Any ship found in the waters around Britain would be sunk

German U-boat 1919

German U-Boat

THE LUSITANIA DISASTER

United States involvement in World War I was hastened by the Lusitania disaster

The Lusitania was a British passenger liner that carried 1,198 persons on a fateful trip on May 7, 1915

A German U-boat sank the British passenger liner killing all aboard including 128 American tourists

The Germans claimed the ship was carrying Allied ammunition

Americans were outraged and public opinion turned against Germany and the Central Powers

May 7, 1915

The N.Y. Times reports on the Lusitania

Unrestricted Naval Warfare Contraband- goods forbidden by

law to be imported or exported; smuggled merchandise

British Blockade – “Hunger Blockade”

Sussex Pledge- a pledge issued by the Germans in 1916, after the sinking of the Sussex, promising that no more merchant ships would be sunk without warning

U.S. Neutrality Tested Wilson Reelected Eastern Front-site of

main fighting along the German-Russian border Russia crumbles Bolshevik

Revolution Brest-Litovsk

Treaty- Russian Peace Treaty with Germany in 1918

Zimmerman Note

A telegram that was intercepted by the U.S.

The telegram was from Germany to Mexico.

Germany’s leader told Mexico that if Mexico invaded the U.S., that they (Germany) would help them.

Pres. Wilson and Congress agreed to join the war.

Zimmerman note intercepted by a British agent and decoded

A SECTION 3: THE NATION GOES TO WAR

A light drizzle fell on Washington on April 2, 1917, as senators, representatives, ambassadors, members of the Supreme Court, and other guests crowded into the Capital building to hear Wilson deliver his declaration of war

Wilson said, “The world must be safe for democracy”

Congress passed the resolution a few days later

America was not ready for war – only 200,000 men were in service when war was declared

Selective Service Act (May 1917)- Law which requires men to register to be randomly selected for military service by the government.

By the end of 1918, 24 million had signed up and almost 3 million were called to duty

About 2 million American troops reached Europe

WAR INDUSTRIES BOARD

The War Industries Board (WIB) encouraged companies to use mass-production techniques

Under the WIB, industrial production and wages increased 20%

Union membership almost doubled during the war years – from 2.5 million to 4 million

To deal with disputes between management and labor, President Wilson set up the National War Labor Board in 1918

Poster encouraging production

VICTORY GARDENS To conserve food, Wilson set up the Food Administration (FA) The FA declared one day a week “meatless” another “sweetless” and two days “wheatless” Homeowners planted “victory gardens” in their yards Schoolchildren worked after-school growing tomatoes and cucumbers in public parks Farmers increased production by almost 30% by adding 40 million acres of farmland

WOMEN IN THE WAR

Many women were called upon to take on jobs previously held by men who were serving in the war They became railroad workers, cooks, dockworkers, factory workers, and miners Many women served as volunteers in organizations such as the Red Cross Their service hastened the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 giving women the right to vote Rosie the Riveter was the symbol of

women’s war contributions

SELLING THE WAR

The U.S. had two major tasks; raising money and convincing the public to support the war

The U.S. spent $35.5 billion on the war effort

The government raised about 1/3 of that through an income tax and “sin” taxes

The rest was raised through war bonds sold to the public (Liberty Loans & Victory Loans)

PROPAGANDA- ideas, facts, or rumors spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause.-newspapers, magazines, fliers etc… were used to stir up nationalism

To popularize the war, the government set up the nations first propaganda agency called the Committee on Public Information (CPI)

George Creel led the agency and persuaded many of the nation’s artists to create thousands of paintings, posters, cartoons and sculptures to promote the war

ATTACK ON CIVIL LIBERTIES As the war progressed, Civil

Liberties were compromised

Anti-Immigrant feelings were openly expressed especially anti-German and Austrian- Hungarian

Espionage and Sedition Acts- the acts passed by Congress in 1917 & 1918 to control dissent by allowing censorship of magazines, newspapers, and films

Designed to prevent anti-war protests, but went against spirit of First Amendment (Free speech)

Socialists and labor leaders were targeted

Any anti-American sentiments were targeted

during wartime

Allies Defeat Germany Breaking the Blockade

Admiral William S. SimsConvoy System- means of protecting merchant

ships from U-boat attacks by having the ships travel with a large group of destroyers (used in WWI & WWII)

Fighting in Europe Western Front 2nd Battle of the Marne

Armistice Signed – “ALL Quiet on the Western Front”

When Russia surrendered to the Germans in 1917, it allowed the Central Powers to focus on the Western Front

By May, the Germans were within 50 miles of Paris

The Americans arrived and immediately played a major role in pushing the Germans backIn July and August the Americans helped the Allies win the Second Battle of the Marne

John “BlackJack” Pershing

AMERICAN TROOPS GO ON THE OFFENSIVE

Men of the 42nd Division during the Second Marne. These men were

killed by artillery fire just 5 minutes after this photo was taken

Eastern Front-site of main fighting along the German-Russian border Russia crumbles Bolshevik Revolution Brest-Litovsk Treaty- Russian Peace

Treaty with Germany in 1918

THE END Italy will switch from the Central

Powers to the Allies during the war.

Austria-Hungary surrendered to the Allies on Nov. 3, 1918.

On Nov. 9, 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates his throne and takes refuge in the Netherlands

German sailors and soldiers refused to fight.

Germany agreed to an armistice on Nov. 11, 1918

Armistice was on 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour

Despite hero’s welcome in Europe, Wilson’s plan for peace would be rejected by the Allies

“Fourteen points”- President Wilson’s plan for world peace Included in his “points” were: No secret treaties Freedom of the Seas More free trade Reduction of arms Less colonialism League of Nations to promote peace

SECTION 4: WILSON FIGHTS FOR PEACE

Wilson’s 14 points in his own

short hand

14 Points Plan Causes of War (1st

Five) Self-Determination-

the right of a people to freely decide upon its own political status or form of government

Formation of League of Nations

League of Nations

This would provide a place for nations to discuss and settle their problems without going to war.

Most Allies wanted revenge on Germany and did not agree with the Fourteen Points.

BIG FOURThey worked out the Treaty’s details

Woodrow Wilson (USA)

David Lloyd George (England)

George Clemenceau (France)

Vittorio Orlando (Italy)

The Big Four met at Versailles

ALLIES REJECT WILSON”S PLAN, SIGN TREATY

Wilson conceded on most of his 14 points in return for the establishment of the League of Nations

On June 28, 1919, the Big Four and the leaders of the defeated nations gathered in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles and signed the Treaty of Versailles

Hall of Mirrors

Treaty of Versailles

The treaty which ended WWI. Britain, U.S., France, and Italy (BIG FOUR)

decided the end of WWI. Russia, even though on their side, was not

invited to the conference. New nations were formed: Poland,

Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, and Iraq.

Treaty of Versailles

1. Germany was blamed for the causing the entire war: War-guilt clause

2. Germany had to reduce the size of their army and navy, could not develop air force

3. Germany had to stop all creation of war materials.

4. Germany had to pay reparations- money to all of the Allies.

Treaty (con’t)

5. Germany had to pay $33 billion to the Allies.

6. Germany had to recognize Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Austria as nations.

7. Germany had to return Alsace-Lorraine to France.

8. Germany had to give up West Prussia

Treaty (con’t)

9. Germany had to give up overseas colonies.

10. Germany had to give up land.

- Germany could not afford to pay the money to the Allies.

-Germany was upset that they alone were to blame for the war.

U.S.

Many people in the U.S. thought the treaty was harsh.

Congress was against the League of Nations The U.S. did not join the League of Nations

and signed their own treaty with Germany.

New Nations

9 new countries created:

-Some were Finland, Estonia, Poland, Yugoslavia, & Czechoslovakia

Austria-Hungary was split into two separate nations and land was taken away from them

The Treaty broke up the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire empires

Legacy of Treaty

Germany is angry and wants revenge, will help lead to WWII.

Germany can not pay the $33 billion. Germany is forced into a severe economic

depression. U.S. Senate refuses to pass treaty due to the

League of Nations. Senate does not want to get involved in

European affairs and wars.

Legacy of War

U.S. has a strong military Europe is devastated by the war. Germans wanted revenge for what was taken

away from them.

Adolf Hitler later promises Germany that they will once rise again.

Costs of the War

Costs had huge consequences 10 million dead, 20 million wounded (many

crippled for life) Germany lost 1.8 million soldiers, Russia

around the same, France 1.4 million, Austria-Hungary 1 million, Great Britain 1 million, U.S. lost 120,000 in battle.

Civilian casualties were also high Estimated total costs of war $300 billion

World years after WWI