World War I

Get out a ½ sheet of paper and answer the following questions. When you are done, turn in to the stool.

1. List the MAIN causes of WWI.

2. Define each of the MAIN causes of WWI.

3. What is the “SPARK” that set off WWI?

Europe in Turmoil

Long Term (MAIN) Causes of the War

1- Militarism

2- Alliance System

3- Imperialism

4- Nationalism• These were all forces pushing Europe into war• Tension due to alliances and the build-up of military

strength

To fight or not to fight…

TO FIGHT! Not to fight…

To fight or not to fight…..

• What does neutral mean?• What is isolationism?• Americans oppose joining the Allies

» Ethnic ties of German Americans» Wilson’s slogan for 1916 campaign» Pacifists believe the war was evil

• Americans support joining the Allies» Cultural ties with Great Britain» Economic ties with the Allies» Anger at the U-Boat attacks: “Remember the

Lusitania!” » Zimmerman Note

• Ethnic ties• Strong cultural ties to the homeland• Fight for the Homeland!• What does homeland mean?• Where were many American immigrants from?

• Wilson’s 1916 Presidential Slogan• “He kept us out of War”

• Pacifists believe war was evil– What does pacifism mean?

The Lusitania

• Ocean liner under British registration• Sunk off the Irish Coast by German U-Boat• 1198 die; 128 U.S. citizen

– How do Americans react?

• Unarmed, but Germans allege it did carry munitions for Allies

The Zimmerman Note19 January, 1917: The Zimmerman Noteto the German Minister to Mexico Berlin, January 19, 1917 On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis withMexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall givegeneral financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in NewMexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.... You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarinewarfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. Zimmerman(Secretary of State)

The Zimmerman Note

• How did Americans react to this?

• Who was Arthur Zimmerman?» German Foreign Secretary starting November 1916.

On 16 January 1917, sent the fateful "Zimmerman Telegram" to the German ambassador to Mexico, suggesting an alliance in return for lost territories taken by America in the 19th century. The telegram, intercepted by British intelligence, became instrumental in the United States decision to enter into the fray of WWI.

The U.S Enters WWI

• Why?• The sinking of the Lusitania• Zimmerman Note• To protect democracy

– What kind of government did the central powers have?

The U.S. Mobilizes for War

• The United States moved the following areas towards the war effort. The following areas describe how the U.S. mobilized our efforts at home to support the war

Conscientious Objectors

• What is a conscientious objector?

• A conscientious objector is an individual following the religious, moral or ethical dictates of his or her conscience that are incompatible with being a combatant in military service, or being part of the armed forces as a combatant organization

• What happens in times of war?

Conscientious Objectors in World War I

“We were cursed, beaten, kicked, and compelled to go through exercises to the extent that a few were unconscious for some minutes. They kept it up for the greater part of the afternoon, and then those who could possibly stand on their feet were compelled to take cold shower baths. One of the boys was scrubbed with a scrubbing brush using lye on him. They drew blood in several places.”

- Mennonite from Camp Lee, Virginia, United States16 July 1918

John T. Neufeld was a WWI conscientious objector sentenced to 15 years hard labor in the military prison at Leavenworth. He was paroled to do dairy work and released after serving five months of his sentence.

• Conscientious Objectors vs. Absolute Conscientious Objectors– Imprisoned in military facilities such as Fort

Lewis (Washington), Alcatraz Island (California) and Fort Leavenworth (Kansas).

– The government failed to take into account that some conscientious objectors viewed any cooperation with the military as contributing to the war effort.

– The mistreatment received by these absolute COs included short rations, solitary confinement and physical abuse so severe as to cause the deaths of two Hutterite draftees

Raising an Army to Prepare for War

• Congress passes the Selective Service Act

• Also known as the Draft• Drafted all men between the ages of 21 and 30

• Used Propaganda• What is propaganda?

» Propaganda is a kind of biased communication designed to influence people’s thoughts and actions

• What are some examples of propaganda?

Wartime Industry• Industries changed from making consumer

goods to making military weapons and supplies• Congress created the War Industries Board to

oversee the production and distribution of goods manufactured by the nation’s wartime industries

• Government issued military contracts to industries

• WIB helped to boost industrial production by 20%

• Other federal agencies regulated the economy– The Fuel Administration watched over the use of coal,

gasoline and heating oil– The Food Administration was established to help

produce and conserve food supplies» Encouraged “Victory” gardens, “Meatless” Mondays,

“Wheatless” Wednesdays» Americans were able to send more food to the Allies

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

• The War Economy: How did the government raise money to pay for the war?– Congress raised taxes and authorized the

sale of war bonds• Bonds became known as Liberty Bonds

– Raised more than $20 million dollars

Workers and Wages During the War

• Wilson created the National War Labor Board to settle labor disputes- NWLB

• NWLB supported– Collective bargaining– Outlined minimum wages and maximum

hours– Equal pay for women

• Unions went on strike for better wages and working conditions– Owners had to give in to their demands

because they were faced with having to meet the military quota

• What is a quota?» Wages increased» Set an 8 hour workday

• Laborers were in short supply– Why?– Turned to non-traditional workers

» African Americans» Women

Gaining Support and Promoting the War

• What is isolationism?

• How do you gain the support of the people?– The U.S. Government created the Committee on

Public Information• Nation’s First Propaganda Agency• Artists, Advertisers, Posters, Cartoons, Parades, 4 Minute

Men gave speeches anywhere, anytime to promote the war