From Neutrality to War:

The United States in World War I

Which countries do you think are the most powerful?

The Roots of War

• There were four MAIN causes of WWI: – Militarism •Built militaries to protect colonies, discourage foreign aggression •Militaries grew by 300% in 34 years – Alliances • Triple Alliance – Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy • Triple Entente – France, Great Britain, Russia – Imperialism – Nationalism •Example: Great feelings of national pride in Germany and Italy – only been united countries since 1871 and 1870 •Many ethnic groups – desired independence – Austria-Hungary: Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Croats, and Serbs

U.S. Neutrality

•President Woodrow Wilson carried on tradition of American neutrality – George Washington – Farewell Address •Advised successors to “steer clear of alliances” – Thomas Jefferson – 1801 Inaugural •“Entangling alliances with none” – Americans viewed themselves as morally distanced from Europe •Continual power struggles

Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Countess Sophie, walking toward an open car on June 28, 1914, shortly before their assassination.

(AH)

World War I Begins

• Archduke Ferdinand – heir to throne of Austria-Hungary • 1908 – AH took over Bosnia-Herzegovina • Serbia, a nation to the south, opposed AH control of Bosnia • Black Hand – Serbian nationalist society – planned to kill the Archduke to protest AH domination – Seven assassins on the parade route – Archduke managed to evade a bomb – Princip, 19 – attacked while driver tried to do a U turn Shot Sofia in stomach; killed her instantly Shot Ferdinand in chest; he called for his wife, then died

Gavrilo Princip, a member of Black Hand and the assassin of Archduke Ferdinand

World War I Begins

• AH presented Serbia with a list of demands – Serbia had to suppress anti-Austrian activities – Allow AH officials into the country to investigate – If they wouldn’t comply, AH would declare war • Serbia unafraid – had alliance with Russia • AH consulted with its ally, Germany – declared war five days later

World War I Begins

• Because of alliances, all of Europe into the war within a week – Russia – moved troops towards Germany and AH – Germany saw this as an act of war – two demands • Russia – had to demobilize • France – had to remain neutral • Both refused – Germany declared war on Russia, then France 2 days later – Germany attacked France, cutting through Belgium – Violated treaty with Britain – Britain declared war on Germany

President Woodrow Wilson

US Declares Neutrality

•Same day war erupted in Europe, Wilson declared neutrality – Appealed to Americans to stay neutral – Many Americans supported various European nations anyway

Here we see a gun crew firing during World War I.

Mustard Gas

Mustard Gas was first used by the German Army in September 1917. It was one of the most lethal of all the poisonous chemicals used during the war. It was almost odorless and took twelve hours to take effect. Mustard Gas was so powerful that only small amounts had to be added to high explosive shells to be effective. Once in the soil, mustard gas remained active for several weeks. The skin of victims of mustard gas blistered, the eyes became very sore and they began to vomit. Mustard gas caused internal and external bleeding and attacked the bronchial tubes, stripping off the mucous membrane. This was extremely painful and most soldiers had to be strapped to their beds. It usually took a person four or five weeks to die of mustard gas poisoning.

British soldiers blinded by mustard gas British Gas Casualties, 1914-18 Deaths Chlorine 1,976 Mustard 4,086 Non-Fatal 164,457 16,526

One nurse,, wrote: "I wish those people who talk about going on with this war whatever it costs could see the soldiers suffering from mustard gas poisoning. Great mustard-colored blisters, blind eyes, all sticky and stuck together, always fighting for breath, with voices a mere whisper, saying that their throats are closing and they know they will choke."

A Bloody Stalemate

• Both sides believed they could quickly win the “Great War” – Germany – planned to cut through Belgium to capture France, then turn toward Russia •Kaiser Wilhelm II told armies, “You’ll be home before the leaves have fallen.” •September – nearly 1 million German soldiers within 50 miles of Paris – Allies – pushed Germans back to Western Front – region on Germany’s west border where most action took place •End of 1914 – war broke into stalemate – stayed that way for three more years

Allied Forces stalled in trench warfare

Horror of Trench Warfare

•One Allied soldier said, “The bottom of the trench was springy like a mattress because of all the bodies underneath. At night, when the stench was worse, we tied [material] ‘round our mouths and noses…the flies entered the trenches at night and lined them completely with a density which was like moving cloth.”

This picture shows a U-boat crew after a successful cruise.

German U-Boats

•Germany was no match for Britain’s naval power; however, they had very advanced submarines – U-boat was short for Unterseeboot , or undersea boat – Announced they would use unrestricted sub warfare to blockade Britain; notified allies that waters around Britain were a “war zone”; also informed them that they would fire without warning on anyone that entered the zone

German U-Boats

•Allies and neutral countries shocked; breach of international law to sink ships without warning – Wilson cautioned Germany that they would be responsible for Americans lost at sea – Germans wanted US to stay out of the war – felt their entry could lead to an Axis defeat – stated they would try not to fire on neutral or passenger ships; however, couldn’t guarantee it •Sunk 90 ships, including the U.S. tanker Gunflight •Turned public opinion against the Central Powers

Sinking of the Lusitania

• May 1, 1915 – Lusitania set sail from New York for Britain – German embassy – ran ads in NY newspapers, stated, “Travelers…are reminded that…war exists between Germany and…Britain,” and that “Travelers…do so at their own risk.” • Captain William Turner received notice that there were U-boats off the coast of Ireland – He pressed on anyway – Torpedo fired on ship; it sunk in 18 minutes – Of the 2,000 aboard, 1,200 died; 128 Americans and 125 children – Secret cargo – war materials, such as 4,200 cases of gun cartridges – went down as well.

The notice the Germany Embassy placed in New York papers

Wilson Campaigns for US Neutrality • Sinking of the Lusitania outraged the American public – Demanded that Wilson repeal US Declaration of Neutrality • Wilson condemned Germany’s actions, but was committed to keeping the US out of the war • Germany apologized for the sinking – Tensions between them and the US reached new levels – three Americans killed in 1916, when a U-boat fired on an unarmed French ship in the English Channel • Wilson used campaign slogan “He kept us out of the war” – but won by one of the smallest margins in US history

Why might it be written in code?

Zimmerman Telegram

•Telegram from German foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman to German Ambassador in Mexico – Intercepted by British intelligence •Germany would soon resume submarine warfare •Promised support to recover NM, TX, and AZ

German foreign Secretary Arthur von Zimmerman

US Entry Into the War

• February 1917 – Germany vowed to sink all ships, neutral or not, in the waters around Great Britain – Angered Wilson – broke diplomatic relations with Germany • Britain presented decoded telegram to Wilson later that month – Made him even angrier – US newspapers published telegram in March – Americans called for declaration of war • March 16 – three American ships sunk – Former president Roosevelt said, “There is no question about going to war. Germany is all ready at war with us!

US Declares War on Germany

• April 2, 1917 – Wilson went before Congress to ask for a declaration of war – He said, “Neutrality is [not] desirable where the peace of the world is involved.” – Also stated, “The world must be made safe for democracy” • Congress gave Wilson a standing ovation after the speech – Later in the day, Wilson said, “My message today was a message of death for our young men. How strange it seems to applaud that..” • Congress passed Declaration of War on April 6

“ Over There ”

• This song was one of the most popular in WWI.

• Encourages men to join the war • What is the mood of this song?

• Why do you think the tone is so upbeat?

• Given the conditions on the Western Front, do you think the tone is appropriate?

• How do you think the American people might have responded to this song?

• Why should young men fight in the war?

• Are the reasons noble? Convincing?

• Would this song make you want to sign up for military service? Why or why not?

“Over There”

Johnnie, get your gun, Get your gun, get your gun, Take it on the run, On the run, on the run. Hear them calling, you and me, Every son of liberty. Hurry right away, No delay, go today, Make your daddy glad To have had such a lad. Tell your sweetheart not to pine, to be proud her boy's in line. (chorus sung twice) Johnnie, get your gun, Get your gun, get your gun, Johnnie show the Hun Who's a son of a gun. Hoist the flag and let her fly, Yankee Doodle do or die. Pack your little kit, Show your grit, do your bit. Yankee to the ranks, From the towns and the tanks. Make your mother proud of you, And the old Red, White and Blue. (chorus sung twice) Chorus Over there, over there, Send the word, send the word over there That the Yanks are coming, The Yanks are coming, The drums rum tumming Ev'rywhere. So prepare, say a pray'r, Send the word, send the word to beware. We'll be over, we're coming over, And we won't come back till it's over Over there.

Sheet music for “Over There”

US Mobilization

•Ill-equipped for war – Initiated a draft •Only 200,000 men in whole army •Military swelled to 5 million – Increased production •Fuel, ships, weapons, food – Extensive propaganda campaigns •CPI – Committee on Public Information – 75 million pieces of literature

Effects of Propaganda

• Espionage Act of 1917, Sedition Act of 1918 – Established to prevent acts of treason – Laws were repressive – even punished people sending antiwar literature through the mail – 2,000 people prosecuted • Widespread rejection of all things German – Sauerkraut, hamburgers, German beer, and Beethoven – German Americans were fired, beaten, or harassed

American Troops in Europe

•Addition of 2 million American troops – Bolstered Allied forces – Helped to push back the Germans •Geography of the troops – US fleet helped British navy off coasts of Britain to fight U-boats – AEF, or American Expeditionary Force, joined Allies on Western Front •Led by General John Pershing – knew they were too inexperienced •First battle went disastrously – he withdrew troops to increase training

End of World War I

•Significant Battles – Chateau-Thierry – Meus-Argonne •Central Powers began surrender – Bulgaria, Turkey, finally, Austria Hungary – Germans revolted •Kaiser overthrown •Republic proclaimed; new leadership signed Armistice •November 11 – 11:00 AM

Results of the War

•Casualties – 10 million total soldiers killed; 20 million injured – 10 million civilians died •US Results – 300,000 casualties; 110,000 dead – Dominant result: disillusionment