World War I

1914 - 1918 Pre-War Issues •Militarism – industry built •Nationalism – ethnic conflict •Alliances – ties by treaty •Imperialism – colony contest War Breaks Out • Archduke Franz Ferdinand visiting Sarajevo • June 28, 1914 shot by Gavrilo Princip (The Black Hand) •Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia The Allied Powers •France, Britain, Russia, Serbia, Italy, Belgium •All at war with Germany and Central Powers •Two-front war •Some countries neutral The Central Powers •Austria-Hungary Germany, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria •Military machine •Patrol of seas •Feared entrance of U.S. New Weapons •Poison gas •Larger artillery guns and shells •Airplanes •Zeppelins •Flame-throwers •Submarines •Machine guns •Armored tanks Early Fighting •German U-boats blocked trade •Ships torpedoed (civilian & war) •Mines used by both sides •British navy blockaded Central ports Early Fighting •Trench warfare protected armies •“No man’s land” between lines •Lines don’t move for years! •Belgium invaded •Heavy losses on eastern front Germany Advances •Germany had bigger, better- equipped army •Enemies around but not between Central allies •Schlieffen Plan directs attack west as Russians mobilize slowly The Lusitania •British passenger ship torpedoed by German U-boat May 1915 •British sea power challenged by German warnings •Wilson demands restriction on submarine war Zimmermann Telegram •Mexico contacted by Germany •German promise land lost in past conflicts •Americans demanded war! •Forgery? No! Germans admit! Most Secret For Your Excellency's personal information and to be handed on to the Imperial Minister in Mexico We intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare on the first of February. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of an alliance on the following basis: Make war together, make peace together, generous financial support, and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement detail is left to you. You will inform the President [of Mexico] of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the unrestricted employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England to make peace within a few months. Acknowledge receipt.

Zimmermann U.S. Declares War! •Wilson wants a world “safe for democracy” •Congress declares war April 6, 1917 •Selective Service Act supported •Bernard Baruch headed War Industries Board U.S. Involvement •U.S. troops (AEF) join as separate force in 1917 •Allies near defeat on both fronts and at sea •Germans hoped to overwhelm before U.S. at full strength Russia Bugs Out •Russian army large but poorly trained and equipped •Large losses make war unpopular •Bolsheviks depose czar Nicholas II •Russia withdraws with Brest-Litovsk Treaty Secret Russia Action •Wilson hated Lenin and communism •Undeclared war – military expeditions “guard Allied supplies” – supported enemies – refused to recognize Bolshevik government – economic blockade – radicals in America? Turning Point • One-front war shifted west • Allies halted German push at 2nd Battle of the Marne – retreat • 2 million U.S. troops by end! • Convoy system at sea reduced losses The Home Front •War bonds sold to finance production •People rationed scarce materials •Farm produce up •No unemployment and wages higher •Cost of living and inflation up too Propaganda War •Creel Committee (CPI) crafted perceptions •Socialists jailed! •Vigilante groups spread (Sedition Slammers, etc.) •Women took over men’s jobs Wartime Society •Schenck v. U.S. Espionage Act upheld •Abrams v. U.S. Sedition Act legal •Arver v. U.S. Selective Service constitutional, not 13th violation Victory! •Germany forced to retreat •Allies began to quit war and Kaiser Wilhelm fled country •Armistice in effect November 11, 1918 Fourteen Points •Wilson speech to Congress for post-war peace

- no more secret treaties - military force cutbacks - independence for colonies - freedom of the seas - free trade - League of Nations Treaty of Versailles •German “war guilt” (Art. 231) •$33 billion in reparations •Empires split •New countries •Mandate system •Collective security (Art. 10)

Treaty Problems •Lodge opposed and led Senate Reservationists •Irreconcilables defeated Treaty •U.S. never joined League •Signed separate peace treaties League of Nations Post-War America •Communism feared (Red Scare, Palmer Raids) •Much distrust of foreigners (ex. Sacco & Vanzetti) •Great Migration of blacks north, racial violence Post-War America •Women lose workplace advantages •Unions less influential •Russians work for recognition •Germany angry, resentful