World War I

Central Powers: Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire Allied Powers: France, Great Britain, Russia (to 1917)

4 Major Causes of War • Imperialism • Entangling Alliances • Militarism • Nationalism – fervent patriotism – independence movements

The Spark • Emperor Franz-Joseph • Archduke Franz-Ferdinand (Austria-Hungary) assassination by Serbian nationalists of the BLACK HAND

• Trench Warfare • Industrial War – first military use • telephone • automobile • airplane

Stalemate By 1915, 4,000,000 soldiers in the trenches b

How did the United States get involved in Europe’s war?

President Wilson declares NEUTRALITY

Economic Boon for the US.

• Munitions, food, soldier’s supplies, money • Increase in Trade 1914-1916 – Britain 257% – France – Italy 393% 363% – Germany .08%

• Unrestricted Submarine Warfare to combat British naval blockade

Lusitania • Lusitania - British passenger liner

Struck by a German torpedo – 1200 of 2,000 die • 128 Americans – secretly carrying war materials

U.S. Response • Wilson continues policy of neutrality • Germany apologizes – after further attacks, agrees to refrain from no-warning attacks • Wilson is re-elected on the slogan: “He kept us out of war.” (600,000 votes-1916)

Zimmerman Telegraph • German Foreign Secretary Arthur Von Zimmerman to German ambassador to Mexico – ask Mexico to join Central powers – help them regain land – renew unrestricted submarine warfare

and German U-boats Sink 3 American Ships • Wilson asks Congress for Declaration of War – April 2, 1917 – “neutrality is no longer feasible…” – “The world must be made safe for democracy” – “we shall fight for the [idea] which we have always carried close to our hearts — democracy”

Opposition to the War • Many women – Jeanette Rankin (1 st woman rep. in Congress) • “You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.” • Quakers • Socialists • Opponents of big business – “command of gold” – profiteering

Mobilization • The Draft – 9 million registered – 3 million – Volunteers – 2 million • Increased production – fuel, ships, weapons, food – governing boards • Propaganda Campaigns – CPI (Committee on Public Information) • George Creed – “4-Minute Men”

The Suppression of Dissent • Espionage Act 1917 • Sedition Act 1918 – 2,000 prosecutions • including Eugene Debs (10 years) • Public persecution of Germans

Western Front • AEF American Expeditionary Force – General John “Black Jack” Pershing • Major American engagements – Chateau Thierry – Meuse-Argonne

End of the War • Kaiser abdicates Nov. 9 • Armistice signed Nov. 11 @ 11 a.m.

• 10 million soldiers killed/20 million wounded • 10 million civilian deaths • 110,000 American deaths • Estimated cost: $185 billion