Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Picking Sides
About 20% of Americans supported the Central Powers
Due to ethnic heritage of immigrants
Germanys solution:
Rely on U-boats (submarines) Announces unrestricted submarine warfare on Allies and anyone assisting Allies
Wilson warns Germany will be held strictly accountable for American damages
Wilson pressures Germany to end warfare policy May 1916 Germans issue Sussex Pledge
Promises to give warning to the ship they are to attack problem? Contradicts the purpose of a submarine
Election of 1916
Republicans nominate Charles Evans Hughes
Former Gov. of NY, progressive Flip-flopper problem with this?
Undesirable trait during time of reform & war
Germany announces redaction of the Sussex Pledge unrestricted submarine warfare resumes
World shocked, Americans outraged
4 more American merchant ships sunk by German subs Lenins Bolshevik Revolution in Russia
Czar overthrown, Russia backs out of war
Self-determination: oppressed nationalistic groups should have own governments League of Nations: Committee to peacefully settle future international disputes
Propaganda
George Creel headed the Committee on Public Information
Goal was to keep Americans enthusiastic about war
Methods:
Posters, pamphlets, films, songs Four minute men speeches Advertise war bonds
Enforcing Loyalty
Anti-German sentiments grow:
German-Americans labeled spies, saboteurs Suffer alienation, violence
Wartime Labor
Governments work or fight policy provides for large war effort National War Labor Board created to settle and worker disputes and strikes
Ensures no loss of production
Womens Bureau emerges after war to protect womens new rights and place in workforce
Fails: most women leave jobs and return home after war
Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act (1921)
Wartime Economy
Fuel Administration encourages rationing, too Treasury Dept. sells war bonds
Raised money for 2/3 of Americas war effort
Dependence on America
America pictures secondary role in war effort problem? By 1917
European Allies out of men, money, supplies Russia pulls out of war after Bolshevik revolution significance?
Germany can fully concentrate troops on Western Front
Germans planning big counterattack in Spring of 1918 America becomes more involved than planned Selective Service Act Draft increases army size, men quickly trained
Blacks serve in segregated units Women take support roles in military
Small number of troops sent over immediately American soldiers arrive by masses in Spring of 1918
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) Led by Gen. John J. Perishing Goals of Americans:
Stop German invasion of Paris Providing supplies to Allies Boost the little morale left of Allied Forces
Trench Warfare
Trench Warfare
New Technology
Machine Guns
American Action
Battle of Chateau-Thierry
Stops invading German army 40 miles from Paris
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Largest battle in American history to that point, Allies victorious
War Ends
Germans becoming increasingly anti-war
Kaiser Wilhelm II flees to Holland Fear of infinite American manpower, supplies Idealistic Fourteen Points appealing to Germany
Peace Talks
Wilson gains worldwide popularity for:
Ending war Idealistic promises of postwar Europe
Treaty Trouble
Conflicting ambitions plagues peace conference
Britain and France want Germany punished Italy wants compensation America wants lasting peace
Treaty Trouble
Wilson needed 2/3 of Senate to approve treaty
Americas opposition to treaty growing during talks Wanted isolationism
Europe uses American disapproval as bargaining chip New demands: France wants bordering German regions
Wilson compromises his self-determination policy
Treaty of Versailles
Germany forced to sign felt betrayed
Wilsons Fourteen Points largely excluded from treaty
Wilson needs public support, Senate approval to accept treaty Returns to heavy American opposition:
Isolationists against entangling alliances Hun-haters felt treaty was too soft Liberals felt treaty was too harsh European-Americans felt treaty was too harsh on their respective home countries
Wilson goes on nation-wide tour to sway public Rough trip for Wilson: Midwest largely populated by German-Americans
Treaty promoting not received well
Opposing Senators follow tour to give rivaling speeches after Wilson leaves town
William Borah and Hiram Johnson
Treaty Defeated
Lodge amends many parts of Treaty Lodges goals:
Retain Americas right to rule themselves
Membership in League of Nations would give up some autonomy
Senate votes against Treaty twice Treaty of Versailles never accepted by U.S.
U.S. does not join League of Nations
Election of 1920
Wilson, still pushing for original Treaty, calls for solemn referendum
A vote by the people on the Treaty demands fail
Harding wins by a landslide (60% to 34%) Eugene V. Debs (Socialist Party) gets 4% of vote
Caused fear of socialism/communism growing in U.S.
Effects of W.W.I.
The War to End All Wars ironic?
Helps lead to WWII two decades later