Causes of WW1, Naval Warfare, Limited Speech, Organizations

The Causes of World War I:

1. Militarism: European nations built up their military forces, leading to an arms race.

2. Alliances: Complex alliances between countries created a web of obligations.

3. Imperialism: Competition for colonies heightened tensions between European powers.

4. Nationalism: National pride and ethnic tensions contributed to unrest.

5. Immediate Cause: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in 1914 triggered the war.

Naval Warfare

• Submarines: Seen as sneaky and underhanded in warfare, especially in their use against civilian ships, leading to public outcry.

Limited Speech Cases

• During wartime, certain limits were placed on free speech, often justified by national security concerns. Notable cases include:

  • Schenck v. United States (1919): Established the "clear and present danger" test for permissible speech.

  • Abrams v. United States (1919): Upheld convictions for anti-war speech under the Espionage Act.

War Organizations

The War Industries Board (WIB)

• A U.S. government agency created during World War I to coordinate the production and supply of war materials.

• Established in 1917, it was crucial in mobilizing the American economy for the war effort.

• Key Functions:

  • Regulated industries to prioritize war production.

  • Increased efficiency by standardizing products.

  • Controlled raw materials for military supplies.

  • Encouraged mass production to meet wartime demands.

• Led by Bernard Baruch and disbanded in 1919.

Food Administration

• Led by Herbert Hoover, it aimed to conserve food for soldiers and allies, promoting the idea of voluntary rationing.

• Encouraged Americans to grow victory gardens and reduce consumption.

Committee on Public Information (CPI)

• Established to promote public support for the war through propaganda.

• Used posters, films, and speeches to influence public opinion and encourage enlistment.

Wilson’s Vision

• Wilson proposes a post-war world built on his Fourteen Points, aiming for a peaceful world order and the creation of the League of Nations.

The Paris Peace Conference and Treaty of Versailles:

• The Big Four: Wilson (USA), George Clemenceau (France), David Lloyd George (Britain), and Vittorio Orlando (Italy).

• Germans excluded from peace talks.

• Treaty of Versailles (March-April 1919): Stripped Germany of armed forces, lost territory, and reparations.

• Wilson’s vision of the League of Nations was central to lasting peace.