world war i “ the great war ” world war i (wwi). key objectives identify 4 main causes of world...
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World War I
“The Great War”World War I
(WWI)
Key Objectives Identify 4 main causes of World
War I (WWI).
Identify 3 causes for United States involvement in World War I.
Identify the change in United States foreign policy.
Europe
Four (4) Main Causes of World
War I MAIN
M - Militarism A - Alliance System I - Imperialism N - Nationalism
Nationalism devotion and
loyalty to one's own nation; patriotism.
Excessive patriotism
Militarism a strong military spirit or policy.
Triple Entente
United States Foreign Policy What was the U.S. policy on
European Affairs?
What was this policy called?
Who initially promoted this policy?
Isolationism – Why abandon? What caused the United States to
abandon isolationism and get involved in World War I?
Why did the U.S. get involved?
Reasons for U.S. Involvement 3 MAJOR REASONS
1) German unrestricted submarine warfare
2) Zimmermann Telegram 3) Economic/Moral Interests of the
United States
Lusitania
I. Submarine Warfare The German U-Boat
Underwasser Boat
Submarine Warfare
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915 SUNK WITHOUT WARNING
British luxury ocean liner A passenger ship
Had been carrying military cargo Deck had structural changes for gun decks
128 Americans killed What did Americans think of this?
Submarine Warfare German Warnings
Were the Germans wrong?
Germans apologize Paid reparations
Reparation
Reparation monetary compensation intended
to cover damage or injury during a war.
President Woodrow Wilson Wanted to protect the rights of
Americans to travel safely on belligerent ships Belligerent
Was this realistic?
Arabic Pledge Arabic British Passenger Liner
Attacked and sunk by German U-Boat 2 Americans killed
U.S. threatened war
Germany would warn non-military ships 30 minutes before they sank them to make sure the passengers and crew got out safely.
Sussex
French Passenger Ferry Sank March 24, 1916
What did this violate? Some American injuries
No deaths President Wilson threatened to cut
diplomatic relations with Germany Germany announces its Sussex Pledge
Germany did not want U.S. entering war. Realized U.S. had industrial power and man power
Sussex Pledge Germans Promise:
Passenger ships would not be targeted;
Merchant ships would not be sunk until the presence of boats had been established, if necessary by a search of the ship;
Merchant ships would not be sunk without provision for the safety of passengers and crew.
British took FULL advantage of this pledge.
Germans Break Sussex Pledge January 31, 1917 Germans rescind Sussex Pledge Germany declared unrestricted
submarine warfare Why?
Convinced they could defeat Allied Forces before United States would be involved.
Made a proposal to Mexico thinking Mexico could keep the United States occupied.
II. Zimmermann Telegram February 1, 1917 (Importance?)
Note from German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to German Ambassador in the U.S.A. Johann von Berstoff.
Zimmermann requested the note be forwarded to the German ambassador in Mexico.
Zimmermann Telegram To Mexico
Proposed: Mexican-German Alliance Reclamation of territory
lost in Mexican American War
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
British Interception British intercept the note Decoded the note Alerted U.S. Telegram inflamed U.S.
public Why does Britain do this?
Mexico President Carranza declines
the note. Not feasible
III. Moral/Economic Interest United States made loans to allies.
President Wilson viewed unrestricted submarine warfare as terrorism
Wilson said “the world must be made safe for democracy”
Drawing a Parallel to Today Think about Wilson’s feelings on
submarine warfare and democracy. How are his thoughts similar to some of those in our recent past? Consider the spread of American ideals
Think - write some thoughts down on a sheet of
looseleaf. Discuss with a neighbor Class discussion
Review 3 Main Causes U-Boat RMS Lusitania Two pledges designed to protect
passenger ships? Moral reason for involvement Economic reason for involvement
Formal Declaration of War Woodrow Wilson “the world must be made safe for
democracy”
Congress Declares war April 4, 1917
Selective Service Act Instituted a draft to recruit an
army.
Ages 18-45 (male) 24 million men registered. 2.8 million drafted.
Convoy System German U-Boats Sunk merchant ships
Problem: How to get supplies across Atlantic.
Answer: Merchant ships would be accompanied by a
convoy of war ships (group of warships) on their journey across the Atlantic.
Financing the War Liberty Bonds Victory Bonds
People bought bonds
Bond – a loan to the government. Government pays interest
In other words, it is as if the individual was the bank, lending the government money.
Conserving Resources Food Administration Goals:
Conserve existing food Increase agricultural production
In charge of this campaign: Herbert Hoover
Conserving Resources Fuel Administration
Harry Garfield (son of James Garfield)
“Heatless Mondays”
USED FORCE – U.S. ran short on coal in 1918 so for several
days all factories east of the Mississippi were shut down.
Organizing Industry War Industries Board (WIB)
Determined how scarce resources would be used.
Established priorities for production (war materials)
Set prices
National War Labor Board Workers went on strike. Realized how much they were
needed. Strikes hurt the war effort.
The NWLB was formed to resolve disputes and often sided with laborers.
Influencing Attitudes Committee of Public Information
Propaganda to get Americans to support the war.
Propaganda information, ideas, or rumors deliberately
spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
Quieting Opposition Espionage Act Sedition Act
Outlawed treason Treason
Illegal to “utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal… or abusive language” criticizing the government, the flag, or the military.
Schenck v. United States Charles Schenck Protested the draft by sending leaflets
in the mail.
"Do not submit to intimidation"
"Assert your rights"
"If you do not assert and support your rights, you are helping to deny or disparage rights which it is the solemn duty of all citizens and residents of the United States to retain."
Schenck v. United States Question:
whether the defendant possessed a First Amendment right to free speech against the draft during World War I.
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes
Decision: “Clear and Present Danger”
if it can be shown that the language it prohibits poses a "clear and present danger.”
The War’s End The Russian Revolution
Russians wanted a change in government and an end to the war. (overthrow the czar)
Russians were hungry
Bolsheviks Radical Russian socialists Opposed the war Led by Vladimir Lenin
SIGN A SEPARATE TREATY with CENTRAL POWERS ENDING RUSSIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN WWI
General John J. Pershing
German Offensive Headed toward Paris
Pershing agrees to allow French command to take control of American troops to defend France.
U.S.A. helps save Paris from the Germans.
U.S.A and Allies begin to push Germans back.
Allied Victory Germans
Rioting streets Hungry for food German mutinies
Kaiser realized the war was lost. Armistice Signed November 11, 1918.
Peace conference set for 1919
World War I Deaths
(Central Powers)
Bulgaria - Green
World War I
Triple Entente Deaths (Allies)
U.S. (Blue)
2%
Wilson’s 14 Points A program for world peace.
9 Points – Self Determination Self Determination – the right for a country to
govern itself.
4 Points – Causes of modern war Secret diplomacy; arms race; violations of
freedom of the seas; trade barriers.
Final Point – The League of Nations
The League of Nations An international body designed to
prevent OFFENSIVE wars.
Germans believed program was interfering with European affairs
Received warmly by others.
The Paris Peace Conference
“The BIG FOUR” Woodrow Wilson – U.S.A. David Lloyd George – Britain George Clemenceau - France Vittorio Orlando – Italy
WHAT IMPORTANT COUNTRY IS NOT REPRESENTED?
Reparations Orlando, George, Clemenceau
Wanted to PUNISH Germany for “starting” the war.
Must bear the financial cost of the war. Force Germany to pay reparations*.
* this will be a major CAUSE FOR WWII
DEMANDS VIOLATED what Wilson called for in his 14 Points.
Treaty of Versailles
Palace of Versailles
U.S. Secretary of State Lansing commented:
“The terms of the peace appear immeasurably harsh and humiliating.”
Treaty of Versailles
Germany Forced to disarm. Admit full responsibility for the war. Charged billions of dollars in
reparations.
Wilson’s Influence Created the League of Nations
Harsh treatment of Germany would have been MUCH worse had Wilson not been present.
Ratifying the Treaty Key Issue: The League of Nations
Ratification: 2/3 Majority for Approval of a treaty Which House of Congress approves
treaties?
Article 10 of the Treaty ARTICLE 10: the "covenant" clause
The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members of the League. In case of any such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the Council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled.
Article 10 Problem with the Treaty
Senators believed it committed the U.S. to going to war in defense of any League member that was attacked.
Henry Cabot Lodge
Senator Massachusetts Premier opponent to the Treaty. Presented “14 Reservations”
Purpose: modifying the treaty What was Lodge mocking?
Treaty of Versailles Never ratified by U.S. Senate
The very country who promoted the creation of the League, failed to join it. Major Implication:
The League would fail.
Global Impact of the War Europe destroyed. Boundary lines created by the treaty
were blurred and confusion existed.
Germany Uncontrollable inflation in Germany Germans resented the Treaty of Versailles. Created a breeding ground for the rise of
Hitler
Essay Question What are the three reasons for U.S.
involvement in World War I? Explain how each contributed to the United States entering World War I.