World War I

Prelude to War• Many European nations have existing alliances/treaties

with other European nations.

• Alliances provide countries with: o Trade

o Military protection

• Serbia (small state within Austria-Hungary) wants its independence.

and…

Prelude to War• In Sarajevo (capital city of A-H), a parade takes place on

June 28, 1914 involving:o A-H militaryo Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to throne)

• Ferdinand & wife are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in middle of parade.

Prelude to War• Gavrilo Princip was:

o A Serbian nationalist – wanted Serbia independento Hoping assassination would free Serbia from A-H

• Following Ferdinand’s death, A-H declares war on Serbia; Serbia declares war on A-H.

• Russia joins war to help Serbia.o Serbia & Russia have alliance togethero Many native Serbians lived in Russia – forced Russia to act.

Prelude to War• Central Powers are created through alliances; includes:

o A-Ho Germanyo Ottoman Empire (present day Turkey)o Bulgaria

• Allied Powers are created through alliances; includes:o Serbiao Russiao Italyo Britaino France

Prelude to War• There were 4 reasons for World War I taking place:

o Imperialismo Nationalismo Militarismo Alliances

• Imperialism contributes to war because:o Major European nations competed for extra land in Africa/Asiao Saw war as chance to potentially gain more land – increase power

Prelude to War• Nationalism* contributes to war because:

o * - Nationalism is strong feelings towards home nationo Wanted to prove their nation was best in world.

• Militarism* contributes to war because:o * - Goal of a nation to become a military power.o All countries involved had spent decades building up army & navy.

(Patriotism)

Prelude to War• Alliances contribute to war because:

o Nations were bound together by alliances w/ each other.o Attack one nation; allies come to their aid.o Alliances turn a regional conflict into global war.

Homework #1 – 4/28/151. What did alliances provide countries with?2. Who did Gavrilo Princip assassinate? What was he hoping

to achieve by killing him?3. What was the name of the two groups (sides) in this war?4. Explain why Imperialism was a cause of World War I.5. Explain the reason why Nationalism was a cause of World

War I.6. Explain how militarism played a role in causing World War

I.7. Why did alliances make World War I bigger than it should

have been?

War Begins• As war in Europe begins, the U.S. is absent from the chaos,

despite pleas from allies in Europe.

• President Wilson preaches “Isolationism”; wants to keep U.S. out of conflict.

• Early in the war, U.S. begins selling weapons/military supplies to both sides.

War Begins• Two reasons caused this war to be much bloodier & longer

than initially expected:o Improved military technologyo Trench Warfare

• As war began in August 1914:o Many thought it would be very quicko Germany takes some easy victories

• War comes to standstill as Germany neared Paris; French & British trenches prevent advance.

War Begins• Improved weapons technology led to massive bloodshed

throughout the war.

• New weapons included:– Quick firing artillery– Machine guns– Poison gases/gas masks– Airplanes– Tanks– U-boats

War Begins• Proof of bloodshed is seen in 1st Battle of Somme:

o 1.2 million combined casualties (dead & wounded).Germany: 600,000+Britain: 400,000French: 200,000

• The first battle proves this war will:o Take MUCH longer than expectedo Cost MANY more lives than originally feared

War Begins• Trench warfare is used by both sides to fight the war.

• Trench warfare included:o Digging elaborate network of trenches along French countrysideo Soldiers to lived in trenches for up to 6 months.o Soldiers waited for the signal to go “over the top”.

• Trenches were protected by a “No Man’s Land” covered in land mines and barbed wire.

War Begins• Life in the trenches was:– Sleepless – lack of beds– Filthy – no bathrooms/medicine– Rodent-filled – trench rat infestations were common

• Presence of rats:– Spread diseases– Sickened soldiers – rats known to eat bodies of dead soldiers

• Soldiers would kill rats w/ bayonets or traps; couldn’t use bullets – seen as waste of ammo.

War Begins• While the war was horrible, soldiers still found time to

celebrate holidays when possible.

• During Christmas of 1914, British & German troops made a temporary peace for Christmas:– Truce lasted from Dec. 24-26

• British soldiers witnessed German troops– Singing “Silent Night”:– Setting up makeshift Christmas trees– Hanging lights to decorate their trench

War Begins• British soldiers yell “No Fire!!” across No Man’s Land;

German troops responded w/ same request.– Cease fire between sides commenced immediately.

• During truce, on Christmas Day, soldiers from both sides were seen:– Talking to each other about home/family– Drinking coffee together– Singing Christmas carols together– Decorating a joint Christmas tree– Playing a friendly soccer game

War Begins• Up to this point in the war, the U.S. has maintained its

“isolation”; that changes in May 1915.

• Lusitania was a British luxury liner bound from the U.S. to Britain on a return trip.

• Germany believes the U.S. is smuggling (sneaking) weapons on luxury liners to help Allied Powers.

• Germans send warning to U.S. public in newspapers about dangers of traveling by ship in wartime.

War Begins• In May 3, 1915, German U-boats sink the Lusitania off coast of

Ireland.o Ship refused to stop to be checked for weapons.o Wreckage was later found to have weapons aboard.

• American public turns on Germany, but still refuses to enter war.o U.S. stops trading weapons w/ Germany and Central Powers.o Wilson re-elected w/ help of slogan “He kept us out of war!!”

• Wilson demands Germany stop all U-boat attacks –Germany agrees & stops.

War Begins• Germany wants to:

o Defeat British & win the waro Keep U.S. out of war, if possible

• Germany resumes U-boat attacks against Britain, risking U.S. involvement.

War Begins• Mexico receives a telegram from Arthur Zimmerman

(German Foreign Minister).

• The Zimmerman Telegram stated:o Germany would help Mexico could reclaim lost land in U.S. (AZ,

NM, TX)

IF….o Mexico attacked U.S. to keep us in North America

WHY???

War Begins• President Wilson begins preparations for war w/o an official

declaration from Congress.

• In late March 1917, German U-boats sank 3 American vessels

• On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war.o Congress debates for 3 days before voting to enter the war

(April 5, 1917).

Homework #2 – 5/4/151. Even though the U.S. was practicing “isolationism”, how

were we involved the war?2. What two reasons played a role in making this war

bloodier & longer than most expected?3. Why did Germans sink the Lusitania?4. What did the Zimmerman Telegram promise Mexico?5. Why did Germany ask Mexico to attack the U.S.?6. When does the U.S. officially enter the war?

War Continues• U.S. entrance into war comes at perfect time for Allied

forces.

• Russia, amidst revolution, bows out of the war and no longer fights for either side.o Sign treaty with Germany, ending their involvement.

• Germany now begins focusing on defeating Britain & France before U.S. arrives.

War Continues• Prior to entrance in to war, U.S. military consists of:

o 200,000 troops (mostly recent recruits)o A smaller naval force then necessary

• In order to fight the war in Europe, U.S. military holds a draft to fill the ranks.

• Men, ages 21-30, were required to sign up to be drafted; 3 million men were selected into service.

War Continues• U.S. troops arrive in Europe led by Gen. John Pershing:

o 2 million troops sent from U.S.o 400,000 African-Americans sent among force

• Women also enlist; allowed to serve in non-combatant capacity; many serve as secretaries for military.

• Allied forces request that U.S. troops be included with other forces.o Pershing & Wilson reject ideao Wilson wanted U.S. to have major role in peace talks

War Continues• The war effort for the U.S. would cost $35.5 billion

o $20 billion was raised by sale of war bonds.

• Bonds were low-interest loans given by civilians to U.S. gov’t.o Would be repaid within certain number of yrs.

War Continues• In order to help pay for war, Americans sacrificed at home:– Satin and cloth were collected & rationed (pantyhose, bandages,

etc.)– Scrap metal (tin cans, soup cans, etc.) is collected and melted for

soldiers.– Women’s groups met to sew blankets, socks, & sweaters– “Victory Gardens” were planted by U.S. families to save food for

soldiers.– Citizens observed meatless/wheatless days (ate no meat or bread

to conserve food for soldiers)– Sunday drives were stopped to conserve gas.

War Continues• To keep war production & information constantly working,

President Wilson creates two committees:o War Industries Boardo Committee on Public Information

• War Industries Board did the following:o Buying/distributing war supplieso Set industry production goalso Ordered construction of new factorieso Controlled wages & prices

War Continues• Committee on Public Information was responsible for:

o Relaying war information to U.S. publico Use propaganda to influence U.S. public opinion on waro Use movies, ads, posters, pamphlets to rally support

o Espionage & Sedition Act are passed to help secure U.S. during wartime; also sacrificed civil liberties.

War Continues• Espionage & Sedition Act called for:

o Increased inspections of native Germans living in U.S. – w/o warrant or reason.

o Arrest any anti-war activists or “draft dodgers”

• Some appeal their case to Supreme Court arguing their civil rights were violated

• Supreme Court hears case Schenk vs. United States; Arthur Schenk was arrested and jailed for printing anti-war pamphlets.

War Continues• Court upholds (agrees) Schenk’s punishment stating:

o “When a nation is at war, many things that might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance (obstacle) to its effort that their utterance (spoken) will not be endured so long as men fight.”

• What Supreme Court means: o Free Speech (1st Amend.) could be limited during wartime.

• At least 1,000 people were jailed under this act; law was later found to violate:o 1st Amendment: Free Speech; Free Presso 4th Amendment: Freedom of illegal search & seizing of property

Would you agree to this now?

Homework #3 – 5/11/151. Why does the U.S. hold a military draft?2. Why did President Wilson reject the idea of U.S. troops

fighting with Allied forces?3. What is a Liberty Bond? How much of the sale of Liberty

Bonds helped pay for the war?4. Why was Arthur Schenk arrested?5. Did the Supreme Court agree or disagree with Schenk’s

arrest? What was their reasoning for their decision?6. In your opinion, should certain civil rights be suspended

during wartime?

War Continues• With U.S. finally involved in the war, U-Boats increase their

attacks.

• U.S. creates two options to battle U-boat attacks:• Convoy system• Mine fields

War Continues• U.S. “convoy” system was designed to protect ships

transporting goods across Atlantic.o Convoy’s consisted supply ships guarded by destroyerso If U-boats attacked, destroyers would sink them

• Convoy strategy works; rate of U.S. ships sunk by German U-boats decreases.

• U.S. Navy also lays 70,000 underwater mines to prevent U-boat attacks; mines protected Atlantic shipping route.

War Continues• As Americans near Europe, Germany launches massive

attack against Allied forces on March 1918 to end war.– Germany reaches within 50 miles of Paris (French capital)

• U.S. troops arrive to stop German advance; quickly take French town of Cantigny.

• 2nd Battle of Marne proves to be turning point of war:– Germans make beginning push for land– Allied forces push Germany out of France – German forces quickly retreat back home

War Continues• With Germans in retreat, German Gen. Erich Ludendorff

asks German gov’t to seek an armistice*.o * - a cease-fire between both sides

• In early November 1918, Germany suffered from:o A mutinied navyo Allies (Austria & Bulgaria) have dropped out of waro Kaiser Wilhelm (leader of Germany) forced out from position

• At 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 a cease-fire went into effect – the war was officially over.

Aftermath• The aftermath of the war was catastrophic:

o 8.5 million soldiers deado 21 million soldiers woundedo 13 million civilian deaths due to starvation & disease

• Allied leaders now can turn their attention towards repairing Europe.

• Prior to the war ending, President Wilson had outlined his plan for peace w/ Congress.o His speech was called the “Fourteen Points”

Aftermath• President Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” included provisions

for:o End of secret treaties among countrieso Smaller military forceso Changes in national boundarieso Free tradeo Freedom of the seaso League of Nations (most controversial)

o Wilson’s ideas were presented to world leaders at the peace conference at Versailles, France.

Aftermath• At the peace conference, European leaders wanted to punish

Germany for the war.

• The Treaty of Versailles included:o Germany forced to:

Reduce army to 100,000 soldiers TOTALGive up their colonial claimsPay $33 BILLION in reparations (war damages)

o A-H & Ottoman Empire dividedo Poland granted independence

o Wilson’s idea for a “League of Nations” was also included in the treaty.

Aftermath• All sides agree to the treaty; Wilson brings it back for

Senate-approval (Constitutional law).

• Senate denies the treaty because:o League of Nations would force U.S. involvement in world issueso U.S. gov’t wanted to return to “isolationism”

• Even without U.S. involvement in League of Nations, the Treaty of Versailles is ratified; League is created w/o U.S.

Homework #4 – 5/19/151. What 2 strategies did the U.S. navy use to combat U-boat

attacks?2. What battle proved to be a turning point in the war for the

Allies?3. When did World War I officially end (date/time)?4. What was President Wilson’s peace plan

called/nicknamed?5. What 3 punishments were given to Germany as a result of

the Treaty of Versailles?6. What were the two reasons the U.S. rejected the Treaty of

Versailles?