WORLD WAR I

Woodrow Wilson

• President of the U.S.• U.S. should be honest, unselfish,

and promote democracy• Opposed imperialism• Lead by moral example

Mexican Revolution• Porfirio Diaz ruled Mexico• Was a dictator• Removed from power by the poor• Victoriano Huerta

–New leader–Was not liked by Pres. Wilson

Mexican Revolution• U.S. sailors arrested – Wilson sees

opportunity to remove Huerta• Mexican forces not happy with new

leader Carranza & raid parts of the U.S.

• Pancho Villa–Leader of guerrillas–Destroyed parts of New Mexico–Killed Americans

Mexican Revolution• Wilson Sends troops to stop guerillas

–Led by General John Pershing–No guerillas captured–Embarrassment to U.S. & Wilson

World War I• The Alliance System

–1860s Prussia launches wars to unite Germany

–Defeats France and takes territory near Germany

–New German nation industrialized and powerful

Alliance system contd.• Triple Alliance (1870)

–Germany has alliances with Italy and Austria-Hungary

• Franco-Russian Alliance (1894)–France and Russia both concerned

over Germany’s actions• Triple Entente (1900)

–Britain, France, Russia understand each others concerns over Germany.

The Naval Race• Great Britain threatened by Germany’s

new Navy.• By 1900s an arms race began between

the 2 countries

The Balkan Crisis• European Nations competitive with

each other.• Nationalism• Self-determination

Continent in War• Franz Ferdinand and wife assassinated

in Sarajevo• Shot by Gavrilo Princip, part of “Black

Hand”• Austria declares war on Serbia,

Germany declares war on Russia and France.

• World War I begins

Germany’s Plan Fails• Germany invades France

– Neutral Belgium used to trap French– Britain, protecting Belgium, declares war on

Germany

• Allies: former Triple Entente– France, Russia, Great Britain, and Italy– Italy promised Austro-Hungarian land at end of

war

• Central Powers: former Triple Alliance– Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire,

and Bulgaria

Americans Take Sides• Although neutral, Americans favor allied cause• American Military leaders favor Allies

– Maintain international balance of power

• American Businesses favor Allies• Britain and Germany use propaganda

U.S. Propaganda

British Propaganda

German Propaganda

The British Blockade• Mines planted in North Sea• Ships inspected for contraband being sent to

Germany• Germany Responds

– Sends U-boats to patrol international waters– Lusitania attacked and sunk – 1200 dead– Sussex attacked and Americans injured!

• Sussex Pledge– Germany not to fire on merchant ships without

warning

U.S. Declares War• Zimmerman telegram

– Germany asking Mexico to join war– Offering Mexican land back should they win– Mexico could keep Americans busy in N.

American continent– Telegram leaked to press – Americans furious!

US Wins War• Trench Warfare- ditches where troops hid

and fired guns

No Man’s Land –

area between opposing trenches

Tanks• SLOW and unreliable

Poison Gas

Vomiting, Blindness, Suffocation

                                                        

Doughboys – men who fought in the War

-- Inexperienced

U.S. WINS WAR• Navy wins sea battle

using convoys

U.S. WINS WAR• Russia leaves war

–food and fuel crisis–Vladimir Lenin and Bolshevik party

take over–Establish a communist government

• Treaty of Brest-Litovsk–Russia not in war–Russia looses territory in Ukraine,

Finland, Polish and Baltic territories.

Battle of Argonne Forest• Massive American attack on Germany• Led by Gen. Pershing• Many American deaths – U.S. wins• Germany signs armistice (cease fire)

on Nov, 11, 1918.

Wilson’s 14 Points• Point 1-5 – eliminate general causes of war• Point 6-13 – right of self determination• 14th Point – League of Nations for world peace

Treaty of Versailles• Peace Agreement with Germany

•Germany to have no military

•Germany must pay reparations (war damages)

The Results of WWI• Inflation in America• Increased cost of living• Inflation leads to strikes

– Workers want raises/Companies want little expenses

– The Seattle General Strike- 60,000 people– The Boston Police Strike – 75% of force leaves job– The Steel Strike – 350,000 workers leave job

Race Problems• American soldiers return home and compete

for jobs with African Americans.• Chicago Race Riot

– Black and white citizens fight over a beach– African American teenager drowns– City erupts with racial violence– 2 weeks long / 38 people dead

RED SCARE!!!• REDS = Communist people• Immigrants in U.S. feared of being Communist• Communist International – org. to run activities

of Communist Party• Bombs in mail

– conspiracy!!!– Bomb secretary of state A. Mitchell Palmer– General Intelligence Division formed (now FBI)– Palmer a national hero – not much is ever found on

communist suspects.

PROGRESSIVE ERA OVER…

America to return to normalcy!!!