What event is this poster based on?

Is this an effective

propaganda poster? Why?

Do Now

By 1917 the conflict we call The First World War had been raging for over two years, drawing in troops

from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and Australia, although the main battles were in Europe.

Breaking the Stalemate!

One result of this German policy was that a British passenger ship, the Lusitania, was sunk by a German submarine on May 7,

1915, with a loss of more than 1,100 passengers and crew, including 124

Americans.

The Sinking of the Lusitania

How do you think U.S. citizens felt about this? What should be done?

Department of State, Washington, May 13, 1915 To Ambassador Gerard: In view of recent acts of the German authorities in violation of American rights on the high seas which culminated in the torpedoing and sinking of the British steamship Lusitania on May 7, 1915, by which over 100 American citizens lost their lives, it is clearly wise and desirable that the Government of the United States and the Imperial German Government should come to a clear and full understanding as to the grave situation which has resulted.

The Government of the United States, therefore, desires to call the attention of the Imperial German Government … the objection to their present method of attack against the trade of their enemies … in the destruction of commerce without disregarding those rules of fairness, reason, justice, and humanity.... The Government and the people of the United States look to the Imperial German Government for just, prompt, and enlightened action in this vital matter…..Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan

The United States Government Responds

Do you think this letter was a sufficient response to the

sinking of the Lusitania?

In 1917, the focus of the war shifted to the high seas. That year, the Germans intensified the submarine

warfare that had raged in the Atlantic Ocean. Germany decided that a naval blockade of Great Britain would

cause severe food shortages and give them an advantage. In January 1917, the Germans announced that their submarines would sink without warning any

ship in the waters around Britain. This policy was called ___________________________.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

The 'Zimmerman Telegram' – often

called the Zimmerman Note - was a memo

sent from the German Foreign Minister Arthur

Zimmerman to the German Ambassador to Mexico through a supposedly secure channel devoted to

peace negotiations. It informed the

ambassador that Germany would be

resuming its policy of Unrestricted

Submarine Warfare (USW) and proposed

an alliance. If Mexico would join in a war

against the US, they would be rewarded

with financial support and re-conquered land in New Mexico, Texas,

and Arizona.

The Zimmerman Note

Why do you think this was such a threat to the U.S.

Why would the Germans propose such an

alliance?

Why would the telegram be published in U.S.

newspapers?

How would the U.S. public react?

The German high command knew renewed

USW would probably cause the US to declare war on them, but they gambled on shutting

Britain down before an American army could

arrive in force. The alliance with Mexico and

Japan, as proposed in the Zimmerman Telegram,

was intended to create a new Pacific and Central American Front, greatly distracting the US and aiding the German war

effort.

British intelligence intercepted the telegram and,

recognizing the effect it would have on US

public opinion, released it to America

on February 24th 1917.

It was released to the world press on March

1st.

The U.S. generally felt kinship with Great Britain

(common language, culture, history)

the US public - still concerned at Mexico's

intentions following trouble between the two -

was aghast. A vast majority reacted to both the Note, and weeks of growing anger at USW, by backing war against

Germany. When the American Congress approved Wilson's

decision to declare war on April 6th, there was

just 1 vote against.

The United StatesUnited States – Maintained a policy of noninvolvement, yet economically were benefiting by selling goods.

Sinking of the Lusitania – German submarine warfare affected Americans.

Zimmerman Letter – Germany sent a letter to Mexico encouraging them to fight the U.S. The letter was intercepted.

The United States entered the war against Germany in 1917.

Create a title for

this Political Cartoon

Russia Leaves The War1918 – Russia gets out of the war. They sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. This gives the Germans

territories in western Russia in exchange for peace.

FRANCE

St. Mihiel

Argonne Forest

PARIS

The American Presence

Battle of the Argonne Forest

Last Night of the War, 10-11 Nov

1918

An Armistice is DeclaredGermany put their all into an

attack on March 21st 1918. For several months the offensive

pushed the Allies back, but in July the Germans were stopped at the Second Battle of the Marne. The Allied counter-offensive began in

August and in what became known as the Last Hundred Days,

they pushed the Germans back. Germany sought an armistice

which came into effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

The Treaty of Versailles

Objective:

• To understand the events and process of the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles.

• What impact did American politics have on the treaty process?

Jan. 18, 1919 - Peace Conference opens in Paris

Feb. 14, 1919 - Wilson submits

Draft Covenant for a League of Nations

What did Wilson believe to be the answer to the

world’s problems? Would it work?

Wilson’s Idealism

The Goals of France

1. According to this cartoon, what was Clemenceau’s main concern? Why?

2. Why do you think Clemenceau was nicknamed “The Tiger?”

The Treaty of VersaillesLasting-Peace Peace-Revenge

Germany pays reparations, Poland is created, Creation of the League of Nations, War-Guilt clause, Alsace-Lorraine to France, Germany forbidden to join League, France controls Rhineland, Arms limitation, Polish corridor established, no secret alliances

Germany lost territory

Arms LimitationCreation of the League of Nations

Polish Corridor established

France controls Rhineland

Poland is createdWar-Guilt clause- Blame

Germany pays Reparations

Germany lost Territory

Germany forbidden to join League

No secret alliances

Alsace-Lorraine to France

The Treaty of Versailles

New Map of Europe!

1. Which major empires lost the most land? Why?

2. What problems could occur due to the structure of the European landscape?

What is the major

concern in dealing with

Foreign Affairs?

How does this cartoon

represent the political

atmosphere of post a

World War I United States?

What will Wilson do in order to gain support for the League of Nations?

Wilson’s Mission

Wilson’s Journey

Sep. 25, 1919 - Wilson collapses in Pueblo, Col.; returns to D.C.; suffers stroke Oct. 2; ill for 7 months

Results

What does this Political Cartoon accuse the United States of doing?

July 2, 1921 - Congress ends war by joint resolution

The Congress does not approve to membership in the League of Nations.

The Title of the cartoon is “We told

you it wouldn’t work!”

Why didn’t the League of Nations

work and could anything have made

it successful?

The Treaty of Versailles