World War I

Main IdeaAs WWI began & then

spread to much of Europe,

the U.S. tried to remain neutral as long

as possible.

Archduke Ferdinand Assassinated!!Bosnia is new province

in Austro-Hungarian empire

Makes state visit to Bosnia

2 attempts made

Causes of WarMilitarism- aggressively building up armed forces in preparation for war

Alliances- complicated system developed among European nations

Imperialism- competition for colonies

Nationalism- countries act in own national interest; diverse ethnic populations

Conflict Expands1. Mobilization-readying of troops for war

2. Threats back & forth

3. Germany declares war on Russia

Schlieffen Plan:a 1st strike strategyA quick sweep through France

Turn east & defeat Russia

5. Belgium Neutrality Violated

Forces Great Britaininto war

Central Powers

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Allies Russia

France Serbia

Britain

Stalemate:Neither side can

gain an advantage

Trench Warfare“no man's land”

neither side gains more

than a few miles;Muddy

&Rat

infested

American Response1.

Wilson proclaims U.S. neutral

2. “preparedness” movement-

train troops

3. Peace movement

US Declares War“The voters... have seen lives lost,

property ruined, privations suffered, on a greater scale than the world had

ever known, and they have seen existence become harder, not only for the men who are fighting, but for all

the inhabitants of the stricken countries. They have seen nation

after nation drawn in, until the role of the original combatants has been

doubled.”

German Submarine Warfare1. Provokes calls for war in U.S.

2. U-boat changed rules for naval warfare

a. Enabled Germany to break stalemate at sea

3. Used to prevent munitions & food from reaching Britain's ports

German sub warfare, cont.

German sub warfare, cont.4. British develop

hydrophones

5. British cut transatlantic cable

6. Sinking of the Lusitania

Sussex PledgeGermany

promises to warn ships before attacking

Only lasts a few months

The Move Towards War1. Germany's use of

Unrestricted sub warfare

2. Zimmerman notea. Contains secret offer to Mexico

b. Mexico should declare war on U.S.

c. Would be rewarded w/ land

Russian Revolution

Fall of czar removes

stumbling block to join Allies

War ResolutionMarch 20, 1917

Presidential Cabinet votes for war

April 6, 1917Wilson signs war

resolution

Americans on European

Front

Troop Count

Army-100,000

Marines-15,500

National Guard-132,000

Draftees & Volunteers

Training includes how to: use a bayonet & rifle, dig a trench, put

on a gas mask, & throw a grenade

Congress passes Selective Service Act

Draft cont.Convoy system used to protect ships

American soldiers given nickname “doughboys”

Turning the Tide of War

1. Events in Russia shake the alliance

a. Bolsheviks overthrow republican govt.

b. Germany helps Lenin

c. Allows Germany to focus on Western Front

Turning the Tide, cont.2. American forces help

save Paris

3. Tanks help Allies break German lines

4. War in the Aira. U.S. manufactures new planes

b. 1st used to scout enemy positions

c. German zeppelins & bombers launch raids on

London

5. Ending the Wara. Central Powers begin to

collapse

b. German sailors mutiny

c. German representative signs an armistice

d. Flu epidemic kills nearly 30 million

Results of the War 50,000

Americans die in battle

European death toll nearly 8 million

Americans on the Home

Front

“I hate war, because war is murder, desolation, and

destruction. If one-tenth of what has

been spent on preparedness for

war had been spent on the prevention of war the world would always have been at

peace.” --Henry Ford--

Financing the War:Liberty Bonds

Could be redeemed later for value of original plus

interestRaised more than $20

billionPaid war cost plus loans

to AlliesAllowed civilians to be involved in war effort

Managing the Economy1. Industries switch from producing commercial goods to war goods2. War Industries Board

a. oversaw nations war-related productions

b. Doled out raw materialsc. Told manufacturers what &

how much to produced. Fixed prices

President given power to:

Manage production & distribution of food &

fuelManage how much food people bought

Impose price controls

4. Daylight saving

time imposed

Enforcing LoyaltyNews & information comes

under federal control

Fears of espionage & spying generate calls for restriction

on immigration

All things “German” banned

Political radicals voice antiwar opinions

Enforcing Loyalty cont.

Social Mobility for Minorities & WomenBusinesses need new

workers

500,000 African Americans

join the “Great Migration”

400,000 women join the industrial work force