Why the German Gamble Failed:• Selective

Service Act: 3 million drafted - 2 million sent; African-American troops segregated

• War Industries Board: consumer goods to war supplies

Why the German Gamble Failed:

Food Administration

• Herbert Hoover: eat corn instead of wheat, meatless days, etc; sacrifice

• “Victory Gardens”

Americans React to the Americans React to the WarWar

Committee on Committee on Public Public InformationInformation - - George Creel George Creel PropagandaPropaganda Media/Media/

Government - Government - promote war & promote war & patriotismpatriotism

“Over There”• Americans Tip the Balance of Power• Gen. John J. Pershing (“Black Jack”):

Commander - AEF• U.S. troops fresh – Supplies are plentiful –

Germany Exhausted • Summer 1918

• British, French, American troops stop German advance on W. Front

• Push them back (Second Battle of the Marne, St. Mihiel, Belleau Wood)

11/11/1918 – Armistice Day11/11/1918 – Armistice Day

11/11/1811/11/18Toll of the WarToll of the War

Total deaths approx. 26 million (1/2 Total deaths approx. 26 million (1/2 civilians)civilians)

20 million wounded20 million wounded 10 million refugees10 million refugees $350 Billion$350 Billion Armenian Genocide- 1.5 million killed by Armenian Genocide- 1.5 million killed by

the Turksthe Turks 110,000 Americans die in less than one 110,000 Americans die in less than one

year of fighting- 60,000 from the flu.year of fighting- 60,000 from the flu. Americans tip the balance- Wilson calls Americans tip the balance- Wilson calls

for “Peace with Honor” based upon his for “Peace with Honor” based upon his 14 Points14 Points

The Lost GenerationThe Lost Generation

““Had we returned home in 1916, out Had we returned home in 1916, out of the suffering and the strength of of the suffering and the strength of our experiences we might have our experiences we might have unleashed a storm. Now if we go back unleashed a storm. Now if we go back we will be weary, broken, burnt out, we will be weary, broken, burnt out, rootless, and without hope. We will rootless, and without hope. We will not be able to find our way any not be able to find our way any moremore.” - .” - Erich Maria Remarque - Erich Maria Remarque - All Quiet on the Western FrontAll Quiet on the Western Front

The Fourteen Points:The Fourteen Points:Wilson’s plan for peaceWilson’s plan for peace

GOAL: Eliminate the causes of the GOAL: Eliminate the causes of the WarWar Open Diplomacy. . .Open Diplomacy. . . Free Trade. . .Free Trade. . . Arms Reduction. . .Arms Reduction. . . Right to Self-Determination. . .Right to Self-Determination. . . Freedom of the Seas. . .Freedom of the Seas. . .

Europeans only accept Europeans only accept The League of The League of NationsNations

Complications at Complications at VersaillesVersailles

1.1. Wilson Refused to take major Wilson Refused to take major Republican leader with him to the Republican leader with him to the Paris peace talksParis peace talks

2.2. Wilson went to Paris very idealistic – Wilson went to Paris very idealistic – goal was to create world peacegoal was to create world peace

Europeans wanted to punish Germany and Europeans wanted to punish Germany and divide up its territory.divide up its territory.

Peace talks drag on for months- British Peace talks drag on for months- British Blockade continues- Thousands more Blockade continues- Thousands more starve in Germany.starve in Germany.