The First World War

Boys and Girls! War Savings Stamps Poster by James Montgomery Flagg 1917-18

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The First World War:

• War involving nearly all the nations of the world

• 1914-1918

What?

When?

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NationNation- a group of people who share a common language, religion, history, and traditions

A nation does NOT always refer to a country with land and boundaries. This is the definition of a state.

Because many states had people of different ethnic groups, conflicts developed.

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The First World War:Who?

GermanyAustria-HungaryOttoman EmpireBulgaria

RussiaFranceGreat BritainItalyJapanUnited States (1917)

Central Powers: Allies:

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The First World War:Why? Long term -

1. Alliance system2. Imperialist competition3. Militarism -

Stockpiling of weapons

4. Nationalism

Short term - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg one hour before their deaths, June 28, 1914

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Nationalism Created competition among states both

military and imperialistic. Alliances formed for protection The two biggest causes were these

alliances and nationalism and are considered long term causes.

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The First World War:Where?

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Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the war?• America was isolationist and wanted to

remain neutral.• “Why should I get involved in someone

else’s problems”

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Which side should the US pick?

• 11 million German-Americans

• Irish-Americans hated Great Britain

• Close cultural ties especially with Great Britain

• Shared transatlantic cables (so censored stories)

• Big business loaned much $ to allies

Central Powers: Allies:

Nations 1914 1915 1916 Britain $594,271,863 $911,794,954 $1,526,685,102 France $159,818,924 $364,397,170 $628,851,988 Germany $344,794,276 $28,863,354 $288,899

US Exports to both sides:

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What did it take to get the US involved?

1. Blockades

• Britain blockaded (stopped) all German ships going to America

• Germany announced a submarine war around Britain

Y-53 German Submarine 1916

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What did it take to get the US involved?

1. Blockades

• In May, 1915 Germany told Americans to stay off of British ships

• They could/would sink them

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What did it take to get the US involved?

1. Blockades

• Lusitania torpedoed, sinking with 1200 passengers and crew (including 128 Americans)

• Was eventually found to be carrying 4200 cases of ammunition

German Propaganda Justifying Lusitania sinking

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What did it take to get the US involved?

1. Blockades

• The US sharply criticized Germany for their action

• Germany agreed not to sink passenger ships without warning in the future

Note in Bottle After Lusitania Disaster

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What did it take to get the US involved?

2. Unlimited Submarine Warfare

• 1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine warfare” in the war zone

Why? Otherwise their blockade would not be successful

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What did it take to get the US involved?

3. Zimmerman Note • US intercepted a note from Germany to

Mexico, • It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona

back in return for an alliance • Intended to keep the US out of the war so the

Germans would only have to worry about European nations.

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1916 Presidential ElectionWoodrow Wilson running for reelection using the slogan, “He kept us out of war.”

When Germany goes back to sub warfare he goes to Congress and asks for a declaration of war to “make the world safe for democracy.”

Puts out his 14 Points Peace Plan including freedom of the seas, end to secret treaties, arms reduction, a League of Nations, and the right of people to determine their own form of government.

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What did it take to get the US involved?

• Zimmerman Note + the sinking of 4 unarmed American ships led to a declaration of war

• GERMAN RETURN TO UNRESTRICTEDSUBMARINE WARFARE!

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How was the war looking for the allies?

• Russia left the war after its communist revolution in 1917

• Made it a one front war for Germany - all its troops could concentrate on France

• US enters the war in 1917.

Not Good...

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Convincing the American PeoplePosters - Gee!!

• How do you think this poster helped to convince the American people that the war was a good idea?

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Convincing the American People

1. War to End All Wars (AKA The Great WarIdealism: 2 Goals For War:

2. Making the World Safe for Democracy

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Convincing the American PeopleIdealism: Fourteen Points

What? President Wilson’s Plan for after the war

• Fourteen promises, including freedom of the seas & a League of Nations to work for peace

President Woodrow Wilson

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What did the US do to help?

• US provided the food, money, and fresh troops needed to win the war

American Troops March Through London

Supplies:

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How did the War Affect the US?Women

• Women filled factory jobs

• May have led 19th Ammendment after the war (Gave women the right to vote)

• Black soldiers still served in Segregated Units

African Americans

• “Great Migration” - thousands of African Americans moved North to work in factories

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How did the War Affect the US?Enforcing Loyalty

• Hatred of all things German• Ex. “Liberty Cabbage”, stopped teaching German in

schools, discrimination against German immigrants or people of German descent.

• Espionage Act 1917 & Sedition Act of 1918 punished those against the war (many labor leaders)

• Schenck v US court case ruled that in time of war rights, such as freedom of speech, could be limited for the cause of keeping the country united and for morale of those fighting as well as those at home.

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Propaganda in the War

Victory GardensWar bonds

Enlistment Poster

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End of WarNovember 11, 1918 (11th

day of 11th month, at the 11th hour)

Armistice DayNow Veteran’s Day

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I. Wilson’s Peace Plan- the “Fourteen Points”

A. Wilson did not want to punish Gernany but Britain and France did

B. “Peace without Victory”

1. End of secret alliances

2. Freedom of the seas

3. Self-determination

4. League of Nations

Peace After WWI

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League of Nations Organization to settle world disputes Treaty never ratified by US Senate

(Feared it would lead us into future conflicts – would limit Congresses power to determine when and if to get involved in future conflicts)

Wilson travels the US to get support Has stroke and spends the last year of

his presidency an invalid.

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Countries had conflicting goals France and England got what they

wanted- Germany was punished Forced Gemnany to take full

responsibility (War Guilt Clause) Germany had to pay reparations Germany lost land to France and lost its

colonies Army and navy size severely reduced-

just enough to protect themselves if needed

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