Causes of the WarUnderlying Causes:

◦Militarism◦Alliances◦Imperialism◦Nationalism

Immediate Causes:◦Assassination of Archduke Franz

Ferdinand

Causes of the WarUnderlying Causes:

◦ M ilitarism◦ A lliances◦ I mperialism◦ N ationalism

Immediate Causes:◦Assassination of Archduke Franz

Ferdinand

War in EuropeMost of Europe is at warAllied Powers vs. Central Powers

◦ Allied: England, France, Russia, Italy◦ Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary,

Ottoman EmpireNew technology makes war deadlier

◦ Machine gun◦ Poison gas◦ Tanks◦ Planes◦ Artillery

Both sides resort to trench warfare to survive

British Mark V Tank

French Renault FT

The US and the WarThe US declares neutralityIs the US REALLY neutral?!?

◦American heritage is tied to England…◦France helped America in the Revolutionary

War…◦Lots of German immigrants in the country…◦Lots of Irish immigrants in the country…

US tries to trade with both sides◦Sends food, weapons, and money to Europe◦Allied Powers get ~$2 Billion dollars in aid/trade◦Central Powers get ~$27 Million dollars in

aid/trade

US Enters the WarGermany using unrestricted submarine warfare to

try to beat England and France◦ Germany sinks the Lusitania, a passenger ship, killing

over 1,200, including 128 Americans in 1915◦ Germany torpedoes the Sussex, which kills ~100 in 1916

Germany signs the Sussex Pledge, promising to NOT use unrestricted submarine warfare

Germany sends the Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in 1917◦ Asks Mexico to attack the US to keep us out of Europe

Germany resumes using unrestricted submarine warfare◦ Germany sinks four US ships in March 1917

Finally, the US declares war in April 1917

Painting of U-Boat Sinking

SS Sussex

The War at HomeWar is GREAT for the American economy!

◦American factories building tanks, planes, guns, bombs

◦American banks lending money to England and France

Labor shortage leads to rising worker wages◦War cuts off almost all immigration from Europe◦Two million American men drafted into the Army◦Workers salaries go from ~$15/week to

~$100/weekAmericans asked to ration (conserve) food,

fuel, and resources for the war effort

Women in Factories

Shifting DemographicsLabor shortage means lots of NEW

workers◦Women start working in factories making

real $$$ for the first time◦African-Americans move from south to

north to work in factories◦Hispanics (mainly Mexicans) move to

southwest US to work in agricultural jobsWe’ll come back to these changing

demographics and gender roles next time!

New Workers

New Workers

The US in EuropeUS builds army through the Selective

Service (the Draft)American Expeditionary Force led by

General John J. PershingAmerican soldiers (called

“doughboys”) break the stalemate in Europe◦Alvin York wins the Congressional Medal of

Honor for fighting in FranceGermany asks for a cease-fire on

November 11, 1918

The Peace Plan After the WarWho goes to peace conference?

◦England, France, Italy, the USWhat do they want?

◦England: revenge◦France: revenge◦Italy: revenge◦The US: peace, and to make sure this

never happened again

The Big Four

The Peace Plan After the WarPresident Wilson proposes his Fourteen

Points◦14 big ideas for ending war, like smaller

armies and navies, or letting people vote for their government

◦Wilson’s biggest idea is a “League of Nations”

England, France, and Italy disagree with Wilson

Wilson agrees to give up all his other points if they accept the League of Nations

Treaty of VersaillesGermany has to accept blame for the

warGermany has to pay reparations in

the amount of $33 billion dollarsGermany has to give up its army and

some if its coloniesThis is HUMILIATING for Germany!

◦Germans are desperate for leadership following the war

◦Helps start World War II just 20 years later

Europe Before the War

Europe After the War

Wilson Brings the Treaty HomeTreaties have to be approved by

the Senate◦It’s a rule in the Constitution

The Senate, led by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge reject the treaty◦Lodge says the treaty will get the US

involved in European affairs (and maybe wars…)

The US NEVER joins the League of Nations

US Rejects the Treaty