America

1
Americas entry into WWI and the Treaty that ends
the war.
2
What pulled America into the War

• In the beginning the United States wanted to
  remain neutral.
• The war was happening in Europe.
• Woodrow Wilson was re-elected in 1916

On the slogan He kept us out of the war

• 1. Unlimited Submarine (u-boat) warfare by the
  Germans
• 2. The sinking of the Lusitania
• 3. Sussex Pledge is broken
• 4. The Zimmerman Telegram

3
Unlimited Submarine (u-boat) warfare

• According to international law civilian ships
  must be warned before sinking allowing for
  passengers to escape to safety.
• Germany was not doing this!

4
The Sinking of the Lusitania

• British passenger liner that set sail from New
  York carrying American citizens.
• It was sunk without warning on May 7, 1915 off
  the coast of Ireland
• 1,198 lost 128 US citizens
• Germans claimed the Lusitania was carrying
  contraband (war materials guns, ammunition)

5
RESULT of the Sinking of the Lusitania

• Germany despite promises sunk another ship The
  Sussex, killing 2 Americans
• President Wilson protested Germany issued the
  Sussex Pledge not to sink merchant or
  passenger ships without warning and without
  saving human lives

• The Sussex Pledge broken February 1, 1917
  Germany continued unlimited submarine warfare

6
Zimmerman Telegram

• March 1917 The Zimmermann telegram released
• If the U.S. entered War against Central Powers,
  Mexico should attack the U.S. and receive as a
  reward Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

• April 6, 1917 Congress declares war!!

7
American Stats from the War

• 24,000,000 men registered for the draft by the
  end of 1918.
• 4,800,000 men served in WW1 (2,000,000 saw
  active combat).
• 400,000 African-Americans served in segregated
  units.
• 15,000 Native-Americans served as scouts,
  messengers, and snipers in non-segregated units.

8
How the War ended?

• US needed in France after Russia pulls out of war
• Played key role in stopping German invasion of
  France
• Second Battle of the Marne marked the point of
  German withdrawal from France (1918)

• Germany wanted to surrender in October 1918, with
  a peace based on The 14 Points.

World War 1 officially ended at 11 am on November
11th, 1918
9
Wilsons Fourteen Points

• Made Wilson the moral leader of the allied cause
• Goal was to keep Russia in war and boost morale
  of troops.
• Key ideas abolish secret treaties, freedom of
  the seas, free trade, reduction of armaments,
  readjustment of colonial claims,
  self-determination
• 14th Point Creation of League of Nations
• Not everyone supported this idea

• The prospect of endless American troops was key.

10
Changes on the Home Front

• Britain and France bought products in great
  amounts.
• American bankers gave private loans to Allies.
• Council of National Defense Created

1. Unemployment virtually disappeared.
2. Expansion of big government.
3. Excessive govt. regulations in eco.
4. Some gross mismanagement --gt overlapping
   jurisdictions.
5. Close cooperation between public and private
   sectors.
6. Unprecedented opportunities for disadvantaged
   groups.

11
The Treaty of Versailles

• Big Four in ParisUS, Britain, Italy and France
• Compromises The losers colonial holdings would
  be controlled by the League of Nations, the
  League would be included in the treaty
• Had to work out compromises with France, Italy
  and Japan over colonized land.
• Germany forced to accept a peace they did not
  participate inonly about 4 of 23 principles of
  14 Points in final treaty.
• Treaty punished Germany harshly!

12
Details of the Treaties
Guilt for starting War
Germany Austria Hungary Turkey Bulgaria
Reparations Pay for damages 961 million Pay for damages but went bankrupt Pay for damages but amount unknown Pay for damages 150 million
Military Army -reduced to 100,000 men and not tanks. Navy- 6 ships, no subs. Airforce- None Army- Reduced to 30,000 men. Army- Reduced to 35,000 men. Restrictions made but unknown.
Land Lost land and colonies Lost land to Italy, Czech., and Serbia Reduce size from 283,000 to 93,000 Lost land to Greece, Lost land to Greece, Romania, Yugoslavia
13
Key legacies of the war and the peace

• Liberated many minority peoplesex. Poles.
• Weakened League meant world was unable to deal
  with tensions after WWI? WWII
• US hurt itself by remaining isolationist when it
  needed to take global responsibility.
• We are therefore, somewhat to blame for the
  problems between the wars that led to WWII