chapter 23, section 2
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Chapter 23, Section 2. The Road to War. “He kept us Out of War”. Wilson wanted peace but saw the need to be prepared in case war could not be avoided 1916 Wilson ran for reelection against Republican Charles Evan Hughes; both supported neutrality - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CHAPTER 23, SECTION 2
The Road to War
“He kept us Out of War”
Wilson wanted peace but saw the need to be prepared in case war could not be avoided
1916 Wilson ran for reelection against Republican Charles Evan Hughes; both supported neutrality Democrats boosted Wilson’s image with the
slogan “He kept us out of war!” Wilson won reelection
Wilson called on world powers for “peace without victory”
Moving Toward War
Germany warned any neutral nation that it would sink any ship nearing Britain. The renewal of submarine warfare was a
desperate effort to break the Allied blockade They knew U-boats attacks would bring the
U.S. into the war. To protest Germany’s attraction Wilson
cut diplomatic relations He still hoped for peace
A secret note
Zimmerman telegram: Germany’s foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman gave instructions to the German minister to urge Mexico to attack the U.S. if the U.S. declared war on Germany In return Germany would help Mexico regain
its lost provinces in the American Southwest When this new broke Anti-German feelings
soared
Revolution Russia2 Events push the U.S. closer to war
German submarines sank several American merchant ships
Revolution in Russia drove czar Nicholas II from power
Czar: Russian Emperor; ruled with absolute power
Revolution Russia2 Events push the U.S. closer to war
Several times in the 1800s and early 1900s Russians revolted against czarist rule Their efforts all ended in failure
Discontent surface when condition in Russia and on the war front worsened
Russian revolted against the czar protesting food shortage
Revolutionaries set up a provisional government calling for democratic reforms
Revolution Russia
Wilson welcomed the Russian revolution because he believed in democracy
It was against his principles to be an ally of the czar
With the new Russian government in power he believed the Allied cause would be stronger
Wilson’s war message
Read Wilson’s war message on page 656 Why did Wilson believe the United States
should declare war? Democracy
Congress voted in favor of declaring war.
Calling Up the Troops
Americans needed to prepare for war fast Allies were desperate
Britain had only a few weeks worth of food left
France’s troops were on the verge of collapse
Russian soldiers (Eastern front) were deserting to join the Revolution
A chance to serve
Selective Service Act: Required all men age 21 to 30 to register for military draft
In 18 months 4 million men and women joined the armed forces
Some felt this was their chance for adventure and excitement
“Fighting for democracy”
People from every ethnic group enlisted 20,000 Puerto Ricans Filipinos Many recent immigrants Native Americans could not be citizens and
could not be drafted but enlisted anyway African American at first could not serve
2 million registered when Government changed the rules
400,000 were accepted
Organizing the War Effort
U.S. reorganized its economy to produce food, arms, and other goods need to fight the war
Government agencies weren’t set up to oversee the effort
Food for victory
Herbert Hoover headed the Food Administration Farmers grew more crops Families rationed
Wheatless Mondays Meatless Tuesdays
Factories and Labor
War industries Board; new government agencyTold factories what to produceDivided up limited resourcesSettled disputes over working
hours and wages Due to labor shortage, Unions won better pay and working conditions
Winning Public Support
Liberty Bonds: When American bought bonds they were lending money to the government to pay for war
$21 billion dollars in sales “Four-Minute men”: speakers urged
Americans to make sacrifices for goals of freedom and democracy
Women at Work
Women stepped in to war industry jobs where they received better pay
By performing well in jobs thought only suited for men they changed the view that they were only fit for certain kinds of work
Tensions and Protests
Many African Americans left the south and moved to northern cities to escape poverty and discrimination
Violence against African Americans
In the north competition for housing and jobs caused prejudice and racial violence
39 African Americans killed during a riot in East St. Louise, Illinois
Immigrants from Mexico
Southwestern farmers pressed the government to allow more Mexicans to cross the border to work on farms They entered to work on farms and in
city factories After the war the U.S. tried to force
them to return to Mexico
Attacks on German Americans
Subjected to suspicion and intolerance during the war Newspapers questioned their loyalty Mobs attacked them
Jailing critics Progressives and Socialists opposed the
war They believed that the war benefited the
wealthy owners but not workers Pacifists: people who refuse to fight in any
war To encourage unity congress passed laws
making it a crime to criticize the government or to interfere with war efforts 1,600 men and women were arrested for
breaking these laws Some felt that silencing critics violated the
constitution’s guarantee of free speech Most felt these laws were necessary in wartime
