The US and The Great War

The US Involvement in World War I

• Background of War

  • Germany attempts to persuade Mexico to ally with them against the US by promising to return lost territories (California, Nevada) if victorious.

  • The communication (Zimmermann Telegram) was intercepted by the British and shared with the US, which led to public outcry against Germany.

Declaration of War

• On April 2, 1917, President Wilson requests a declaration of war from Congress.

  • The request is constitutionally required and was approved, although not unanimously, with notable dissent from Jeanette Rankin, a congresswoman from Montana.

• The war is characterized as a "total war" leading to unprecedented expansions in government authority over various sectors.

Impact on Civil Liberties

• Expansion of Government Powers:

  • Economic Sphere: The government takes control of production to prioritize war materials.

  • Political Sphere: The executive branch sees significant increases in power.

  • Legal Sphere: Civil liberties are curtailed.

    • The Espionage Act and Sedition Act are enacted, making it illegal to criticize the government or the war effort.

  • The Schenck v. United States case establishes the precedent that free speech can be limited in cases of "clear and present danger."

Cultural Shifts and Public Support

• The concept of the "home front" emerges, emphasizing the importance of domestic support for the war effort.

• The Committee on Public Information is established to promote war propaganda, led by George Creel.

  • Utilized various media platforms, issuing hundreds of thousands of pamphlets and employing "Four Minute Men" to deliver patriotic messages in public.

  • Anti-German sentiment flourishes, leading to changes such as the renaming of foods and actions against those of German descent.

Employment and Labor

• Labor markets change significantly due to war demands.

  • Workers achieve better wages and job security.

  • Women enter the workforce in unprecedented numbers, taking roles previously unavailable to them.

• Herbert Hoover is appointed to lead the Food Administration, overseeing rationing and agricultural production to support the war.

Racial Dynamics

• Many African Americans migrate north seeking job opportunities, causing racial tensions and riots in cities.

• African Americans serve in segregated units in the military, yet integrate positively with French forces.

• Notable units like the Harlem Hellfighters earn recognition and honors for their bravery.

The Nature of Warfare

• World War I is marked by catastrophic advancements in weaponry (machine guns, artillery, chemical warfare) leading to unprecedented casualties.

  • Trench warfare becomes a dominant strategy, with brutal conditions in no man's land.

  • Battlefield realities include disease outbreaks and horrific living conditions, causing psychological trauma for soldiers.

American Strategy and Military Contribution

• Upon declaring war, Wilson aims to position the US favorably for post-war negotiations, not merely to respond to direct threats.

• Spring 1918 marks crucial contributions as American troops join the Western Front, rejuvenating exhausted Allied forces.

Treaty of Versailles

• Following the war's conclusion, the Treaty of Versailles imposes significant reparations and territorial losses on Germany, including:

  • The war guilt clause assigning sole blame for the war to Germany.

  • Significant territorial losses as new nations are created in Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland, Czechoslovakia).

• Wilson's Fourteen Points advocating for self-determination and a League of Nations are largely disregarded by other leaders at the conference.

• The US Senate ultimately fails to ratify the Treaty, preventing American involvement in the League of Nations.