United States
1914: Wilson declared that the war was a European affair and the U.S. would remain neutral
Reasons the US Enters the War Inability to remain neutral German submarine warfare and the
sinking of the Lusitania The US has economic and political
ties to Great Britain The Zimmerman Telegram Wilson: “Make the world safe for
democracy”
The Zimmerman Telegram
Note from Germany to Mexico Promised to give Mexico money if
they help Germany in the war If Germany wins, they promised to
give Mexico Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
Industry was Booming!
US sold a lot of weapons and war supplies to the Allied Powers
The War Industries Board Set up to coordinate production
America’s First Draft
The Selective Service Act (1917)
In France, African American soldiers were treated without racial prejudice
In the US, we had segregated units
Labor
There was a labor shortage because many men volunteered or were drafted
African Americans replaced them The Great Migration Good paying jobs
End of War
American troops were arriving by spring and summer of 1918
Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire surrendered by Sept.
Austria-Hungary broke up and quit fighting
Armistice
11th day, 11th month, 11th hour of 1918 all fighting would cease
NOT A PEACE TREATY, only an agreement to stop fighting
Costs of War 8.5 million dead 21 million wounded
World War I Casualties
01,000,0002,000,0003,000,0004,000,0005,000,0006,000,0007,000,0008,000,0009,000,000
10,000,000RussiaGermanyAustria-HungaryFranceGreat BritainItalyTurkeyUS
Death Toll
8,300,000 . . . . . . . Estimated combatants killed, all nations
19,536,000 . . . . . . . Estimated wounded soldiers, all nations
Cost of War
Allied Powers Cost in Dollars in 1914-18United States 22,625,253,000Great Britain 35,334,012,000France 24,265,583,000Russia 22,293,950,000Total of all Costs 125,690,477,000
Cost of War
Central Powers Cost in Dollars in 1914-18Germany 37,775,000,000Austria-Hungary 20,622,960,000Turkey 1,430,000,000Bulgaria 815,200,000Total of all Costs 60,643,160,000
Wilson’s 14 Points
No secret treaties Freedom of seas for all nations All nations get to run their own
government (self-determination) Reduction of national militaries Adjustment of colonial claims to make it
more fair to the colonies Establishment of a group to keep world
peace
Treaty of Versailles
Dealt harshly with the Germans Germany must admit guilt for starting the
war pay reparations (payments for damages of
war) lose large chunks of territory drastically cut its military Created the League of Nations
Russia was not invited to these negotiations
League of Nations
International cooperative organization established to prevent future wars but did not have power to enforce its decisions
U.S. never joined
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