American History

WW 1 began August 1914 in Europe, but the USA remained neutral until April 1917 when it declared war against Germany

American entry helped defeat Germany by November 1918

President Wilson’s peace settlement was rejected by the Senate

Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy hoped to lead the world by moral example (unselfishness vs. nationalistic self-interest)

Political Unrest in Mexico General Victoriano Huerta seized power but Pres. Wilson refused to recognize his gov’t

Wilson Intervenes Wilson sent marines to take the Mexican port city of Veracruz in 1914

Negative world reaction to Wilson’s move forces him to allow Argentina, Brazil & Chile to mediate the dispute

Despite mediation tensions continue as Pancho Villa leads Mexican guerilla raids into New Mexico and Pres. Wilson sends 6000 troops into Mexico to capture him

In the Caribbean purchased Virgin I. & marines sent to Nicaragua, Haiti, Dom. Rep.

War in Europe after 50 years of peace warSetting the Stage for War nationalism &

militarismAlliances Triple Alliance (Germany,

Austria-Hungary, Italy) vs. Triple Entente (France, Russia, Britain)

War Begins June 1914 Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Serbian

War Begins alliance system brings many European countries into conflict between Austria and Serbia

Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire) vs. Allies (France, Russia, Britain, Italy)

United States Neutrality Atlantic Ocean separates USA from Europe

Taking Sides 8 million German Americans and many Irish Americans supported Germans, but most Americans supported France & Britain

Both Sides Strain Neutrality British blockaded Central Powers & Germans used U-boats

Americans lend $4 billion to Allies

Sussex Pledge in 1915 German U-boat sinks British passenger liner Lusitania with 128 Americans dying and in March 1916 French ship Sussex sunk injuring Americans

Germans agree to sink no more merchant ships without warning

“Peace Without Victory” Pres. Wilson tries to get warring nations to negotiate a peace settlement in Dec. 1916 that would not lead to future wars of vengeance

Submarine Warfare Resumes 1917 Germany hurt by British naval blockade resume U-boat attacks on merchant ships

Drawn Into War German foreign minister Zimmermann cable to German ambassador in Mexico promises Texas, Arizona, New Mexico

March 12 – 19, 1917 four American merchant ships sunk April 2 Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany

Status of the Allies Germany (Central Powers) on the brink of victory after Russia defeated

Raising an Army spring 1917 American forces only 200,000 men, 1,500 machine guns, 55 obsolete planes

The Draft 2,000,000 American soldiers reached France before the war ended

African Americans 200,000 served overseas but segregated and not allowed to be Marines

Victory on Land & Sea American troops stopped Germans June 1918 at Chateau-Thierry 50 miles from Paris

September 1918 “doughboys” won at St. Mihiel and then Sedan

American navy effectively neutralized U-boats with mines in the North Sea and depth charges

November 11, 1918 armistice signed

Mobilizing the Economy efficiency, control, and conformity

Organizing Industries most industries placed under the control of federal agencies

Agencies headed by America’s business leaders United States a single factory

Involvement of Women women filled jobs left vacant by men fighting overseas

Involvement of African Americans 500,000 moved from South to North for good factory jobs and in Europe treated better than USA

Impact of War on Civilians “food will win the war, don’t waste it” victory gardens

Cost of the War $33 billion raised taxes for $10 billion and the rest from Liberty Bonds

Controlling Public Opinion needed to voluntary civilian population

Selling the War to Americans propaganda led to intolerance

Control of War Protesters Espionage and Sedition acts passed causing thousands to be imprisoned and media to be censored or banned

Persecution of Germans German language banned at schools and music of Beethoven, Schubert and Wagner stopped

Wilson’s Fourteen Points based on “the principle of justice to all peoples” wanted to end militarism, secret agreements

The Peace Plan Opposed Pres. Wilson a Democrat faced a hostile Republican Congress

Peace Conference dominated by US, France, Britain

Wilson’s League of Nations accepted by Europeans but not by Republicans at home

Treaty of Versailles a victor’s peace

Difficulty at Home Pres. Wilson traveled 8000 miles in less than a month across USA to gain support for Treaty of Versailles, but just as he was gaining support had a stroke

Treaty of Versailles never ratifiedAmerica’s Postwar Problems

Demobilization caused a difficult economic adjustment for farmers, businesses and consumers

Labour Unrest 3600 strikes in 1919 most meeting with little success inflation led many workers to demand higher wages gov’t frequently used force to put down strikes

Red Scare 600 suspected Communists deported without trials

Racial Tension between African & white Americans Chicago 40 killed, 500 injured over jobs & housing

Prohibition 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, transportation & sale of alcohol

by January 1919 66% of states ratified 18th A.

The Nineteenth Amendment 1920 women could vote

A Warning Wilson warns of WW 2 before he dies in 1923

America would prosper after World War One, but the Great Depression and the Treaty of Versailles would allow World War Two