The United States in World War I. The War to End War,

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1 The United States in World War I The War to End War,

2 Learning Objectives: The War To explain what caused America to enter World War 1 To describe how Wilson s idealism turned the war into an ideological crusade To discuss America s mobilization for war To describe America s contribution to the war effort 2

3 The U.S. enters the War German Attitudes in 1917 The Germans felt they could win the war German victories over the Russians in the east Russia near collapse; ready to quit Submarine warfare inflicted heavy losses on Allied shipping 3

4 German Attitudes: Why?? German leaders were willing to accept the risk of U.S. intervention believed that total victory could be achieved before American troops could significantly contribute to the Allied war effort 4

5 Provocative Acts of the German Government Resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare. (January 31, 1917) U.S. severed Diplomatic relations Germans attacked U.S. shipping The Zimmermann Telegram (March 1, 1917) intercepted by the British (was this selfinterest?) effect of the telegram was to turn U.S. public opinion against Germany 5

6 Wilson s War Message to Congress April 2, 1917 The President s moralistic idealism hit the right chord with the American public make the world safe for democracy the war to end all wars 6

7 Gassed, by John Singer Sargent Bailey & Kennedy:The American Pageant, Interactive Edition, Trustees of the Imperial War Museum Sargent captures the horrors of trench warfare. The enemy was often distant and unseen, and death came impersonally from poison gas or artillery fire. 7

8 U.S. Military Mobilization The Army increased its size through conscription and voluntary enlistment Gen. Pershing led the American Expeditionary Force Selective Service Act passed in 1917 Army built its strength throughout 1917 but did not commit troops to action 2 million American soldiers had been transported to Europe by late

9 U.S. Military Mobilization The U.S. Navy aided the British Navy and helped undermine the effects of submarine warfare merchant ships and liners ferried troops overseas use of the convoy system protected the troop ships from submarine attack Result--> more men & material to Allies effect on Germany--> time running out 9

10 Major U.S. Troop Engagements of W.W. I U.S. troops did not become a factor in the war until 1918 (why?) Chateau Thierry (May, 1918) American forces helped stop Germans 40 miles from Paris was the first significant use of untested American troops 10

11 Second Battle of the Marne (July-Aug. 1918) was the last great German offensive of W.W. I 85,000 American troops participated in the fighting St. Mihiel Salient (Sept., 1918) 243,000 U.S. troops push back a German bulge in the Allied line 11

12 The End of the War Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Sept. 1918) was the first coordinated Allied offensive of W.W. I; Marshal Foch was in overall command 1.2 Mil. American troops attacked through the Argonne Forest and broke the German line on the Meuse River (stalemate broken) German army was pushed back; Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated new German government asked for an armistice (11 A.M., ) 12

13 The U.S. Home Front during World War I What we did while they were OVER THERE 13

14 The U.S. Mobilized its National Resources 14 War Industries Board headed by Bernard Baruch coordinated the activities of all industries engaged in the war effort its aim was to increase production, eliminate waste, and allocate scarce natural resources War Labor Board arbitrated labor-management disputes in order to prevent work stoppages

15 The Food Administration headed by Herbert Hoover controlled the production and distribution of food; stimulated supply reduced waste, fixed prices on food The Fuel Administration encouraged civilian voluntary conservation stimulated production; regulated distribution of coal and petroleum products 15

16 The Railroad Administration placed all railroads, (passenger and freight) under Government control operated the railroads as a unified system resulted in marked savings of time and energy The Emergency Fleet Corporation goal was to increase the merchant vessel tonnage for the war effort U.S. built 2 ships for each Allied vessel sunk by U-Boats 16

17 Methods of Financing the War Effort 17 W.W. I was financed through borrowing by the Federal Reserve system, and by increased taxation income tax rates were increased Government imposed an excess profits tax on corporate earnings Liberty Loan Bonds, and Victory Loan drives raised $ 20.5 billion

18 Anti-German Propaganda 18 Historical Pictures, Montage, Inc. Bailey & Kennedy:The American Pageant, Interactive Edition

19 Public Opinion and World War I The Committee on Public Information helped mobilize public support for the war effort headed by George Creel purpose was to solidify public opinion in support of the war effort the Committee did suppress public criticism against the war Espionage Act (1917) & Sedition Act (1918) authorized the government to suppress any dissent deemed detrimental to the war effort. 19

20 The Lost Peace of World War I Do we play the Same Old Song or do we dance to the melody of a different vocalist?

21 Learning Objectives: The Peace 21 To analyze Wilson s attempt to forge a peace based on his Fourteen Points. To explain why developments at home, and abroad forced Wilson to compromise. To evaluate the opposition to the Treaty of Versailles and show how Wilson s refusal to compromise doomed the treaty.

22 Background of the Peace Settlement Each Allied Power had its own financial and territorial demands National Self-interest versus Wilson s idea of non-punitive settlement the Allied Powers had secret treaties to divide territory taken from the Central Powers 22

23 Wilson s Fourteen Points presented to Congress 18 January, 1918 Expressed Wilson s idealism peace without victory Were Wilson s program for maintaining peace following the World War 23

24 Major Provisions of the Fourteen Points Abolish Secret Treaties / secret diplomacy Freedom of the seas in peace, and war Removal of economic barriers; free trade Reduction of armaments The impartial adjustment of colonial claims self-determination to oppressed minorities a League of Nations to provide for collective security 24

25 Wilson s Difficulties in Achieving Peace 25

26 Wilson appealed to U.S. voters to elect a Democratic controlled Congress in 1918 He injected partisan politics into the peace process (war not over yet) he saw the election of a Republican Congress as a rejection of his leadership Republican support for Wilson s peace plan weakened Republicans won a slim majority Actions undermined political support for Wilson at home, and abroad. 26

27 Problems with Peace 27 The Peace Delegation itself No Republicans were part of the U.S. delegation to Paris this alienated Congressional Republicans the U.S. Senate must ratify all treaties Wilson did not cultivate support with the Press the peace did not receive favorable coverage in the mass media of that day

28 Wilson had to overcome centuries of European history and traditions The Problem of Secret Treaties between the Allied Powers Wilson was unable to get the Allied leaders to renounce their secret agreements to divide the spoils of war between them this violated provisions of Wilson s Fourteen Points Self-determination no secret treaties 28

29 The Paris Peace Conference January to June,

30 The Big Four dominated the peace talks 30 Wilson, U.S.A. David Lloyd George, Great Britain Georges Clemenceau, France Vittorio Orlando, Italy Immediate conflict between Wilson s idealism and the nationalism and selfinterest of the other three leaders

31 The Treaty of Versailles Germany was held responsible for starting the war had to pay reparations (cost of war; 33 bil) limited the size of the German military Alsace-Lorraine transferred to France demilitarized the west bank of the Rhine River France occupied the Rhineland Germany lost her colonies; they became mandates of the League of Nations 31

32 32 The Covenant of the League of Nations was included in the peace treaty members would protect the territorial integrity / political independence of all other member nations New nations were created from territory of the losing powers Germany signed the Treaty in June, 1919 signed under duress, no German input was an imposed peace, not negotiated

33 The League of Nations 33

34 Aims of Members Preserve political independence and territorial integrity of member nations Employ military and economic sanctions against aggressor nations Arbitrate all controversies that might lead to war Reduce armaments among member nations Established a permanent Court of International Justice to arbitrate disputes 34

35 35 Structure of the League of Nations An Assembly of member nations, each with one vote A Council; representatives of U.K., U.S., France, Italy, Japan plus 4 reps. Elected by the Assembly A Secretary-General to manage routine affairs League headquarters in neutral Switzerland

36 American Rejection of the Treaty of Versailles 36

37 Reasons for U.S. Objections to the Treaty Political jealousy caused by Wilson s refusal to consult Senate Republicans in drafting process Opposition of ethnic groups in the U.S. German-Americans, Italian Americans, Irish-Americans Widespread fear that participation in the League would involve the U.S. in European troubles (Article 10 of League Covenant0 Republicans attacked treaty as a way to discredit Wilson, Democrats; gain political advantage. 37

38 Divisions in the U.S. Senate Wilson Democrats favored immediate ratification Irreconcilables advocated isolation from Europe; complete rejection of the Treaty Johnson,CA; Borah, Ind.; LaFollette, Wis. Moderates favored participation in the League only if reservations were added to the Covenant to protect American interests Reservationists were headed by Lodge (Mass.) 38

39 Actions of the U.S. Senate concerning the Treaty of Versailles

40 The Fight over the Treaty of Versailles 40 Bailey & Kennedy:The American Pageant, Interactive Edition

41 Reservationists (Lodge) proposed 14 amendments to the League Covenant Lodge read the entire Treaty during Committee hearings delayed the Senate vote on the treaty Wilson rejected the Lodge amendments and went on a national tour to promote the Treaty with no amendments suffered a stroke; became incapacitated for 7 1/2 months 41

42 42 Treaty of Versailles was defeated by the Senate both with, and without reservations in November, 1919 The Republican party won the Presidential election of 1920 viewed the election as a mandate against the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles the Harding Administration & Republicancontrolled Congress adopted a joint resolution declaring World War I at an end in August, 1921.

Unit 5: World War I Vocabulary

Name: Unit 5: World War I Vocabulary Word Definition Analysis 1. Militarism (227) glorification of the military fueled an arms race between How do we see militarism in WWI? (give an example) the countries