World War One

Causes of World War One: Expanding Empires

Germany and Britain global competition

Causes of World War I: Alliance System in Europe

Triple Alliance:

Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary

Italy changes sides, replaced by Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

Causes of World War I: Alliance System in Europe

Triple Entente:

Britain, France, and Russia

Called the Allies, joined by US eventually

Both alliances had secret agreements to go to each other’s defense if attacked

Neither side knew how strong the alliances were for the other side

Causes of World War One: Kaiser Wilhelm II of

GermanyAggressive, vain, nationalist

Sought “Germany’s place in the

sun” by expanding empire

Conflicts with Britain

Causes of World War One: the British-German Arms Race

Britain and Germany created huge navies of advanced ships (the “dreadnoughts”)

Germany, Russia, and France increased size of armies

German dreadnought

British dreadnought

Causes of World War One: a Weakening Austro-Hungarian Empire

Made up of numerous nationalities and language groups; many wanted self-rule (“autonomy”)

Most aggressive nation:

Serbia; wanted to self-govern

Home to terrorist groupsThe Black Hand

June 28th, 1914Archduke Ferdinand, heir to A-H

throne, assassinated by Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip, for Serbian independence

The Beginning of WW I

Because of the alliance system:A-H declares war on SerbiaRussia declares on A-HGermany declares war on RussiaFrance and Britain declare war on Germany

America and WW I: 1914

Wilson declares US neutral

Most Americans opposed entry

American businesses sold to both Allies and Central Powers

Some Americans supported Germany

Irish-American troops for the Central Powers

US to Drifts Into WarReasons America began to support the Allies:

1914 invasion of Belgium by CP; treated harshly by Germans

Americans respond with Belgian Relief Fund; led by Herbert Hoover

US to Drifts Into WarBritish propaganda affects

Americans’ view of Germans and the war

New use of newsreels/movies

The LusitaniaBritish passenger ship, carrying

Americans and weapons and ammunition

Germans give warning in NY papers; U-boats sink ship off the coast of Ireland, killing 127 Americans

Wilson threatens war; Germans “apologize”, promises not sink ships without warning (the “Sussex Pledge”)

Sinking of ships continues

1916 ElectionWilson vs. Charles Evans Hughes

Main issue: US in the war or not

“He Kept Us Out of War”

America’s Entry Into War

Deteriorating German/American relations:U-Boat activitytreatment of Belgiumimpact of propaganda

America sympathizes with Allies; not ready to enter war

The Zimmermann NoteTelegram sent from German

ambassador to MX; proposes alliance against US

Denied by both Ger. and MX; discovered by British agents

Impact:

Germans break the Sussex Pledge, resume sinking ships without warning

German Ambassador Arthur Zimmermann

Final breaking point with Germany; Kaiser prepares for war with America

America Declares War (April 2, 1917)

US formally breaks relations after 6 US ships sunk, with over 200 casualties. Also Britain and France appeal to Wilson for help

In your notes:

• Write two opposing theses in the X. However, ABC. Therefore Y. format.

• To what extent was US entry into WWI justified?

America Prepares for War

Wilson reorganizes American society for war; greatest degree of govt. control in history.

Attempts to sell war as a “war to end all wars” and to “make the world safe for democracy”.

Makes war a “moral crusade”; ex. The Fourteen Points

US Prepares for War

Government organizes propaganda campaign to generate support for the war

Committee on Public Information – designed to give “news” on info on the war

Use of propaganda; control of news media

Use of Propaganda FilmsUse of the new film industry to promote the war; both newsreels and Hollywood movies used

George Creel

The Espionage and Sedition Acts

Meant to suppress anti-war efforts or speeches

Acts deemed as “un-American” could mean jail or deportation, suspended First Amendment

Eugene Debs arrested

later pardoned by Pres. Harding

The War Industries BoardAn attempt to put US economy

toward a war basis

All production toward war effort

Wages, prices and production controlled by Board

Led by Bernard Baruch

The War Industries BoardUse of women in war

factoriesLed to passage of 19th

AmendmentWomen also used to sell

the war and sell bonds

The Food Administration

Organized food conservation efforts and the planting of “liberty gardens”

The Food Administration

Relied on appeals and propaganda campaigns

Cigarettes Win the War!

Paying for the War War financed through borrowing

(the “liberty bond”)

Sold billions of $$

Use of celebrities

The Draft4 million drafted; 2 mil. sent to combat; poorly

trained; lack of equipment, officers

Different Type of War

American Expeditionary Force (AEF)

First battle: Chateau-Thierry, May 28th, 1918

John Pershing

American Expeditionary Force (AEF)

Belleau Wood (June, 1918): US Marine Corp fights the Germans to a draw after three days, despite 4 to 1 odds.

“Retreat? Hell, we just got here!”

“The Devil Dogs”

American Expeditionary Force (AEF)June, 1918 – November, 1918: the last major

campaign, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive

The Fourteen Points (Jan., 1918)Wilson’s goals for the war:“freedom of the seas” – no U-

boats or blockades“reduction of worldwide trade

barriers” – increases economic alliances

“self-determination for imperial holdings” – colonies should govern themselves

“self-determination for Austria-Hungary”

no secret treatiesre-creation of Polandarms and naval limitations

Copy of Wilson’s speech on the 14 Points

The League of Nations

The 14th and most important Point; “an association of nations” for “collective security”; a multinational alliance between nations

Armistice: November 11, 1918

Germany asks for cease-fire

Peace sought based on 14 Points

War ends at 11:00, 11/11/18

Losing the PeaceGermany in chaos; starvation and

looting in Berlin; America sends food and coal; Allies prepare for peace conference; Wilson arrives as hero

Versailles, 1919Conference dominated by the “Big Four”

Orlando (IT) Lloyd George (GB) Clemenceau (FR)Wilson (USA)

Versailles, 1919

Attended by most countries, except Germany and newly-formed USSR

Many sought “self-determination” as stated in Wilson’s 14 Points; most are denied

Versailles, 1919France and Britain intent on revenge and

maintaining their empires; forces Wilson to give up most of 14 Points

Wilson sacrifices most of the Points to keep League of Nations

Germany territory given to France and newly created Poland

New Map of Europe After VersaillesNew countries

created: Czechoslovakia

Austria Hungary Romania

Yugoslavia Poland

Estonia Latvia Lithuania

France and Britain redraw Middle EastNew countries

created:

Syria

Iraq

Kuwait

Palestine

Jordan

Lebanon

Turkey

Iran

Versailles, 1919Germany forced to pay millions in reparations;

forces Germany into poverty; currency worthless; unemployment high

Radical movements gain acceptanceHitler, 1928

The Fight to Ratify the Treaty

Wilson returns to US to face Republican Senate; needs 2/3 vote for approval

Many oppose Treaty because of Article 10, would force US to go to war if any member nation attacked

Two Groups: Reservationists & Irreconcilables

Leader of opposition:

Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge

The Fight to Ratify the TreatyLodge offers “Fourteen Reservations” about

the Treaty; approval of Treaty unlikely

Wilson goes to American people to gain support for it, goes on tour (“Wilson Rocks America”!)

The Fight to Ratify the TreatySept, 1919: Wilson suffers a stroke in Colorado,

rushed back to D.C.

Unable to function for next seven months

Edith Wilson in effect President of US

The Fight to Ratify the TreatyTreaty defeated by

Republicans, Nov. 1919Wilson orders Democrats

to defeat amended Treaty; gets majority of votes but fails to obtain 2/3; Treaty never ratified by US

US does not join League of Nations, rejects internationalism in the 20s

Impact of the Failure at Versailles

Radicalism grows in Europe, i.e. Germany and Italy

France and Britain remain heavily in debt to US, forces Germany to pay heavy

reparationsUS retreats into isolationism

Long-term chaos in Middle East and Balkans

Spread of communist movements in Europe and Asia