America and the Great War

Woodrow Wilson's Presidency (1913-1921)

  • Idealist: Believed in promoting democracy and moral progress.

  • Neutrality: Initially declared U.S. neutral. Slogan: "He kept us out of war" (1916).

  • Advocated "peace without victory" (Jan. 22, 1917).

Neutrality to Preparedness

  • Neutrality: "Impartial in thought as well as in action".

  • Preparedness: Increased military spending and taxes (1916 National Defense Act, 1916 Revenue Act).

End of Neutrality

  • Zimmerman Telegram.

  • German unrestricted submarine warfare.

  • Sinking of 5 U.S. ships (March 1917).

  • U.S. investments in Allies' war efforts (loaned $2 billion).

U.S. Entry into WWI

  • Declaration of War: April 2, 1917, to make the "world safe for democracy."

  • Selective Service Act (May 1917): Conscription; over 4.7 million Americans served.

Mobilization

  • Wartime Economy: War Industries Board, Fuel Administration, Food Administration, Railroad Administration, Committee on Public Information.

  • Emphasis on Americanism: Rejection of German culture and socialist elements.

  • Espionage and Sedition Acts: Limited freedoms, upheld by Schenck v. United States (1919).

America's Workforce

  • National War Labor Administration.

  • Great Migration: 400,000 African Americans moved North for jobs.

  • Increased opportunities for women and people of color.

U.S. Contribution to War

  • American Expeditionary Force: Fought on Western Front/France.

  • Increased role after Russia's exit (March 1918).

  • Wilson's vision for a 'peace without victory'.

End of the War

  • Armistice: 11 a.m. 11/11/1918.

  • Germany's government collapsed, replaced by Weimar Republic.

  • Lost Generation: Shaped by WWI trauma.

  • Influenza Pandemic.

WWI Statistics

  • Allied Powers mobilized 42 million troops; Central Powers, 23 million.

  • U.S. Battlefield Deaths: 116,000116,000

  • Germany Battlefield Deaths: 1.81.8 million

Wilson's 14 Points

  • League of Nations.

  • Open covenants of peace.

  • Freedom of the seas.

  • Reduction of armaments.

  • Free and equal trade.

  • Self-determination for nations.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

  • Aligned: League of Nations (excluding Germany), freedom of seas, self-determination (Europe), Alsace-Lorraine to France, armament reductions.

  • Not Aligned: War Guilt Clause (Germany to pay reparations, admit guilt, limit military, give up colonies).

Problems of Demobilization

  • Economic Transition: Labor unrest.

  • Racial Tensions: Race riots in 1919.

  • Red Scare: Palmer Raids.