Part 2The United States Enters the War

THE HOME FRONT: THE IMPACT OF TOTAL WAR

• As WWI dragged on, it became a TOTAL WAR – involving a complete mobilization of resources and people, and affecting the lives of all citizens in the warring countries.

Increased Gov’t Powers• War lasted longer than expected; more men and

supplies were needed• Gov’t expanded their power to meet needs,

especially over the economies– Gov’t set up price, wage, and rent controls, rationed

food supplies/materials, regulated imports/exports; took over transportation systems/industries.

• PLANNED ECONOMIES – systems directed by gov’t agencies in order to mobilize resources for the war effort.

Manipulation of Public Opinion

• As WWI continued and the death toll rose, patriotism started to decline.

• Germany, Russia, and A-H relied on force to subdue their populations.– Censored newspapers; suspended publication

• PROPAGANDA – the spread of ideas to influence public opinion for or against a cause. – Exaggerated war stories/deaths– War posters

Manipulation of Public Opinion• Committee on Public Information–Director George Creel–Millions of posters and leaflets–4-minute men–Propaganda Hill

Impact of WWI on Women’s Roles

• During WWI, new roles in the workforce were created for women because so many men entered the military effort.– Chimney sweeps, truck drivers, farm laborers, and

factory workers• At end of WWI, gov’t removed women from

these jobs to give them back to the men• Women still working earned lower wages.• Led to voting rights for women.

THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

BACKGROUND TO REVOLUTION

• Russia was unprepared for WWI (both technologically and militarily)– 1905 defeated by Japan– Revolution of 1905– No competent military leaders– Industry was unable to produce weapons (soldiers

trained with broomsticks, others were sent to the frontline without rifles and told to pick one up from a dead comrade)

Beginnings of Upheaval

• Czar Nicholas II – ruler of Russia• Alexandra – Czar Nicholas II wife;

stubborn; German-born• Rasputin – uneducated, Siberian peasant

who was the “power behind the throne” while Nicholas was at war

• Russian leadership was a joke

• Russian people were sick of it– Assassinated Rasputin

in December 1916

The March Revolution

• March 1917 – 10,000 working class women led a series of strikes in Petrograd (the capital city)

• Soon joined by other workers• Together called for a general strike and

shut down all factories in the city on March 10

• Alexander Kerensky – headed the provisional gov’t; decided to carry on the war to preserve Russia’s honor.

• FATAL MISTAKE – continuing the war– Everyone was SICK of the war

• SOVIETS – representative councils of workers and soldiers; challenged the authority of the Russian gov’t.

The Rise of Lenin• BOLSHEVIKS – small faction of

the Russian Social Democrat Party

• V.I. Lenin – leader of the Bolsheviks– Under his leadership, the Bolsheviks

became a party dedicated to violent revolution.

The Bolsheviks Seize Power

• By the end of October, Bolsheviks had a majority in the soviets and were in position to claim power.• During the night of November 6,

Bolshevik forces seized the Winter Palace, the seat of the provisional gov’t.• Gov’t quickly collapsed with little

bloodshed.

• Bolsheviks renamed themselves the Communists.

• March 3, 1918 – In an attempt to end Russia’s involvement in the war, Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, which gave up much Russian territory.

Civil War in Russia

• By the end of October, Bolsheviks had a majority in the soviets and were in position to claim power.• During the night of November 6,

Bolshevik forces seized the Winter Palace, the seat of the provisional gov’t.• Gov’t quickly collapsed with little

bloodshed.

The Mystery of Anastasia