What event is this poster based on?
Is this an effective
propaganda poster? Why?
Do Now
By 1917 the conflict we call The First World War had been raging for over two years, drawing in troops
from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and Australia, although the main battles were in Europe.
Breaking the Stalemate!
One result of this German policy was that a British passenger ship, the Lusitania, was sunk by a German submarine on May 7,
1915, with a loss of more than 1,100 passengers and crew, including 124
Americans.
The Sinking of the Lusitania
How do you think U.S. citizens felt about this? What should be done?
Department of State, Washington, May 13, 1915 To Ambassador Gerard: In view of recent acts of the German authorities in violation of American rights on the high seas which culminated in the torpedoing and sinking of the British steamship Lusitania on May 7, 1915, by which over 100 American citizens lost their lives, it is clearly wise and desirable that the Government of the United States and the Imperial German Government should come to a clear and full understanding as to the grave situation which has resulted.
The Government of the United States, therefore, desires to call the attention of the Imperial German Government … the objection to their present method of attack against the trade of their enemies … in the destruction of commerce without disregarding those rules of fairness, reason, justice, and humanity.... The Government and the people of the United States look to the Imperial German Government for just, prompt, and enlightened action in this vital matter…..Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan
The United States Government Responds
Do you think this letter was a sufficient response to the
sinking of the Lusitania?
In 1917, the focus of the war shifted to the high seas. That year, the Germans intensified the submarine
warfare that had raged in the Atlantic Ocean. Germany decided that a naval blockade of Great Britain would
cause severe food shortages and give them an advantage. In January 1917, the Germans announced that their submarines would sink without warning any
ship in the waters around Britain. This policy was called ___________________________.
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The 'Zimmerman Telegram' – often
called the Zimmerman Note - was a memo
sent from the German Foreign Minister Arthur
Zimmerman to the German Ambassador to Mexico through a supposedly secure channel devoted to
peace negotiations. It informed the
ambassador that Germany would be
resuming its policy of Unrestricted
Submarine Warfare (USW) and proposed
an alliance. If Mexico would join in a war
against the US, they would be rewarded
with financial support and re-conquered land in New Mexico, Texas,
and Arizona.
The Zimmerman Note
Why do you think this was such a threat to the U.S.
Why would the Germans propose such an
alliance?
Why would the telegram be published in U.S.
newspapers?
How would the U.S. public react?
The German high command knew renewed
USW would probably cause the US to declare war on them, but they gambled on shutting
Britain down before an American army could
arrive in force. The alliance with Mexico and
Japan, as proposed in the Zimmerman Telegram,
was intended to create a new Pacific and Central American Front, greatly distracting the US and aiding the German war
effort.
British intelligence intercepted the telegram and,
recognizing the effect it would have on US
public opinion, released it to America
on February 24th 1917.
It was released to the world press on March
1st.
The U.S. generally felt kinship with Great Britain
(common language, culture, history)
the US public - still concerned at Mexico's
intentions following trouble between the two -
was aghast. A vast majority reacted to both the Note, and weeks of growing anger at USW, by backing war against
Germany. When the American Congress approved Wilson's
decision to declare war on April 6th, there was
just 1 vote against.
The United StatesUnited States – Maintained a policy of noninvolvement, yet economically were benefiting by selling goods.
Sinking of the Lusitania – German submarine warfare affected Americans.
Zimmerman Letter – Germany sent a letter to Mexico encouraging them to fight the U.S. The letter was intercepted.
The United States entered the war against Germany in 1917.
Create a title for
this Political Cartoon
Russia Leaves The War1918 – Russia gets out of the war. They sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. This gives the Germans
territories in western Russia in exchange for peace.
FRANCE
St. Mihiel
Argonne Forest
PARIS
The American Presence
Battle of the Argonne Forest
Last Night of the War, 10-11 Nov
1918
An Armistice is DeclaredGermany put their all into an
attack on March 21st 1918. For several months the offensive
pushed the Allies back, but in July the Germans were stopped at the Second Battle of the Marne. The Allied counter-offensive began in
August and in what became known as the Last Hundred Days,
they pushed the Germans back. Germany sought an armistice
which came into effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.
The Treaty of Versailles
Objective:
• To understand the events and process of the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles.
• What impact did American politics have on the treaty process?
Jan. 18, 1919 - Peace Conference opens in Paris
Feb. 14, 1919 - Wilson submits
Draft Covenant for a League of Nations
What did Wilson believe to be the answer to the
world’s problems? Would it work?
Wilson’s Idealism
The Goals of France
1. According to this cartoon, what was Clemenceau’s main concern? Why?
2. Why do you think Clemenceau was nicknamed “The Tiger?”
The Treaty of VersaillesLasting-Peace Peace-Revenge
Germany pays reparations, Poland is created, Creation of the League of Nations, War-Guilt clause, Alsace-Lorraine to France, Germany forbidden to join League, France controls Rhineland, Arms limitation, Polish corridor established, no secret alliances
Germany lost territory
Arms LimitationCreation of the League of Nations
Polish Corridor established
France controls Rhineland
Poland is createdWar-Guilt clause- Blame
Germany pays Reparations
Germany lost Territory
Germany forbidden to join League
No secret alliances
Alsace-Lorraine to France
The Treaty of Versailles
New Map of Europe!
1. Which major empires lost the most land? Why?
2. What problems could occur due to the structure of the European landscape?
What is the major
concern in dealing with
Foreign Affairs?
How does this cartoon
represent the political
atmosphere of post a
World War I United States?
What will Wilson do in order to gain support for the League of Nations?
Wilson’s Mission
Wilson’s Journey
Sep. 25, 1919 - Wilson collapses in Pueblo, Col.; returns to D.C.; suffers stroke Oct. 2; ill for 7 months
Results
What does this Political Cartoon accuse the United States of doing?
July 2, 1921 - Congress ends war by joint resolution
The Congress does not approve to membership in the League of Nations.
The Title of the cartoon is “We told
you it wouldn’t work!”
Why didn’t the League of Nations
work and could anything have made
it successful?
The Treaty of Versailles
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