Chapter 23Chapter 23

War and Society

1914–1920

Europe’s Descent into WarEurope’s Descent into War

Precipitating factor was assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, June 1914

Continental alliance system transformed into reason for war Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

Italy soon replaced by Ottoman Empire Tripe Entente: Britain, France, Russia

Competition between nations also contributed Especially between Britain and Germany

By 1914, conflict settled into stalemate because two sides evenly balanced

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Europe Goes to War

American NeutralityAmerican Neutrality

U.S. would remain neutral and would trade with both camps Nation, though, did favor Triple Entente in conflict Close cultural ties to Britain Stronger economic relationship with Britain than

Germany

American Neutrality American Neutrality (cont)

Loans to Britain and France, but not to Germany Little protest to British violations of U.S. neutral

rights German submarine warfare

Designed to combat British dominance of the seas Lusitania, May 1915

Led to sharp protest from Wilson Government refused to yield unless Britain allowed

cargo to reach German ports Seemed to show that war with Germany was inevitable

American Neutrality American Neutrality (cont)

The Sussex House-Grey Memorandum, February 1916 Won applause from many Americans

American Union Against Militarism

Campaign in 1916 based on his peace efforts Plans for international organization to maintain peace

Laid out principles for a lasting peace in early 1917 Constituted new world order based on equality of all nations

German EscalationGerman Escalation

German push for victory on land and at sea, early 1917 To counter effect of Russian exit from war

Zimmerman telegram dashed Wilson’s hopes for negotiated settlement

Benevolent nature of war demonstrated by overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II in Russia Helped Wilson justify intervention on side of democratic

powers April 2, Congress voted to enter war

Wilson war speech, April 1917 Grand experiment to remake the world

American InterventionAmerican Intervention (cont)

Impact of American entry U.S. troops separate from Allied forces

American Expeditionary Force John J. Pershing

Eased pressure on British and French on Western front Wilson’s Fourteen Points, January 1918

To encounter effect of secret Allied treaties Demonstrated that war was being fought for just

purposes Germany launched huge offensives in March and

April of 1918 War ended in November 1918

Mobilizing for “Total” WarMobilizing for “Total” War

All of nation’s resources committed to war effort Organizing American industry

Food Administration Railroad Administration Aircraft Production Board Emergency Fleet Corporation War Industries Board

Mobilizing for “Total” War Mobilizing for “Total” War (cont)

Organizing American Labor National War Labor Board

Organizing the American Military Selective Service Act

Organizing American economy Sharp increases in taxes

Fell hardest on wealthy, corporations Liberty Bond sales

Mobilizing the American public Committee on Public Information

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Occupations with Largest Increase in Women

Mobilizing for “Total” War Mobilizing for “Total” War (cont)

Anti-German propaganda and harassment Trading with the Enemy Act Immigration Restriction Act Espionage, Alien, and Sedition Acts Crackdown on radical labor unions Role of National Americanization Committee

Failure of International PeaceFailure of International Peace Paris Peace Conference, January 1919

Wilson believed Fourteen Points would shape peace His allies had other ideas

– Some points totally jettisoned– Some accepted in part– Some compromised or watered down

Treatment of Germany also a subject of disagreement Wilson favored leniency Britain and France demanded harsh settlement

League of Nations would be vehicle for redressing treaty’s shortcomings

Usher in Wilson’s new world order Covenant establishing League attached to peace

treaty

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Europe and Near East After the First World War

Failure of International Peace Failure of International Peace (cont)

Wilson had to ratify treaty, and U.S. membership in the League—in the U.S. Senate

Senate dominated by Republican Party “Irreconcilables” opposed to treaty, the League “Reservationists” wanted revisions before assent

Constitutional concerns Hatred of Wilson

Wilson went on offensive when Republicans opposed amendments to treaty Took case directly to the American people Suffered stroke on speaking tour

Treaty finally defeated U.S. did not join League of Nations

Postwar Period: A Society in Postwar Period: A Society in ConvulsionConvulsion Labor management conflicts

Paralyzing postwar strikes Authorities portrayed as anti-American and possibly

Communist-inspired Postwar Red Scare

Appeal of Socialism Ideological affinity with Bolsheviks in Russia Government crackdown in dissent and radicalism

Helped by newly formed American Legion Palmer raids against suspected radicals and

subversives

Web

Postwar Period: A Society in Postwar Period: A Society in Convulsion Convulsion (cont)

Racial conflict and the rise of black nationalism War aroused expectations in black soldiers that were

not fulfilled Immediate postwar period rife with race riots Role of Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement

Association Fostered black nationalism, separatism, and self-

sufficiency Left enduring legacy

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What role did the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente play in starting the Great War?

Why did the United States remain “neutral” in the beginning of the Great War? Were we actually neutral?

How did this nation transform to fight the war in Europe? How did these changes affect industry, the military, and civil rights?

What role did the United States play in the combat and the peace of the Great War?