World War I

nationalism

pride or love of one’s country

• nations in Europe wanted to go to war to show that they were superior

imperialism

caused competition in Europe over land in Africa & Asia

militarism

glorification of military & readiness to go to war

alliances

centeral powers vs allies

• CP - Germany, Austria, Ottoman Empire

• Allies - England, France, Russia

significance of allies

divided Europe into 2 armed camps & a series of events led to war

June 28, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne in Austria, was assassinated

• Gavin Princip assassin, member of nationalist group from Serbia

US

neutral for 1st 3 years

Wilson

believed in preparedness - he wanted to remain neutral but felt US should be ready

propaganda

posters, stories, & ads used to influence public opinion; during the war, most were anti-Germany

international laws

rules for war

• nations at war must warn neutral ships

• have the right to inspect neutral ships

• neutral nations must trade equally w/ both sides

contraband

weapons or supplies that are sent by a neutral nation to a nation at war

German U-Boats

Wilson called it “unrestricted” submarine warfare

Luistania (1915)

British passenger ship that was sunk by German U-Boats; 1,198 died + 128 of those were Americans

• Wilson warned Germany that continous use of submarines would cause US to join war

1916

Wilson was reelected w/ the slogan “he kept us out of war”

1917

war is at a “stalemate” - many loses on both sides but nobody’s winning “draw”

Zimmermann telegram (1917)

sent by Germany to Mexico asking them to join the Central Powers

• Germany promised Mexico Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona if they win

• intercepted by England & sent to US

Wilson Quotes

• “we will achieve peace without victory”

• “the world must be made safe for democracy”

• “this will be a war to end all wars”

April 6, 1917

US declared war on Germany and entered on the Allies side

selective service act

1st US draft, all men 21-30 were required to reigster; about 3mil men were drafted 

war industries board 

directed all war related production

food administration

in charge of rationing, giving out food in fixed amounts

• encouraged victory gardens - people grew fruits and veggies at home

fuel administration

in charge of saving gas and energy for war

• daylight savings - began to increase working hours and save energy

women

began to take factory jobs left by men; 35,000 had non-combat military jobs such as nurses, drivers, phone operators 

african americans 

500,000 moved north during war for better job opportunities 

• 350,000 joined the military (troops, cooks, laborers)

overman act

gave president more power and control during war; he could reorganize government, pass laws, and spend money as needed 

N.W.L.B (National War Labor Board)

settled disputes between business and workers to keep up with production

comittee on public information

in charge of selling the war to the american people to get their support on war effort 

espionage and sedition act 

gave president the power of censorship; those who spoke badly about president, gov, or war were punished 

new tech

machine guns, tanks, airplanes, posion gas, grenades 

american expeditionary forces (A.E.F.)

main unit of US troops that fought Germany in France on the western front 

• General John Pershing - AEF leader

Harlem Hellfighters

members of NY national guard, 1st official group of african americans; they spent more time in combat than other US troops and helped to defeat Germany 

• Sgt. Henry Johnson - leader of Harlem Hellfighters 

chateau-thierry

battle in which US and allies stopped Germany’s advance on Paris 

2nd battle of the marne

Germany’s last offensive but they were defeated and began to be forced out of France 

Nov 11 1918

armistice - agreement to stop fighting until a treaty is signed

• WWI ends 

14 points

Wilson’s plans for peace in the world after war

• restore freedom of the seas

• abolish secret diplomacy

• form a league of nations

treaty of versailles

allies treaty w/ Germany that said Germany was at fault for war

• allies wanted revenge on Germany

• Wilson wanted justice and peace, did not get along w/ the allies. Allies found Wilson to be annoying & rejected some of his points

league of nations

world organization set up to maintain peace and solve world problems

• Wilson pushed for US to join and went to the people for support 

• H.C. Lodge was outspoken against the league and led other senators against Wilson

• American people rejected the league because they were afraid of having to get involved in future European conflict