AMERICA AND WORLD WAR 1

Why did we get involved?

• In 1914, when war was declared in Europe, America adopted a policy of neutrality and isolation. – Many Americans wanted to remain isolated from

European conflicts – Many believed that the war was not in US best

interests & – that the Atlantic served as a barrier of protection

from European problems

But really….could the U.S. remain neutral?

Review – US Presidents at this time periodAssassinated

On August 4th, 1914, Wilson officially announced that America would be neutral in World War One. That neutrality extended to a:

policy of ‘fairness’

– whereby American bankers could lend money to both sides in the war.

Trade with both sides was permitted and merchant ships crossed the Atlantic to trade.

When news of trench warfare and the horrors associated with it reached the shores of America, it confirmed to the government that they had adopted the right approach.

Though small groups within America– American-Germans, American-French, etc – were all for some form

of involvement for their own ‘side’, the bulk of Americans supported Wilson’s approach

As a president seeking re-election in 1916, he had to listen to what the public said…see his slogan later

Reasons Why the United States

Entered The World War

1) Economic ties–The U.S. traded more with Britain and

France. (U.S. was not strictly neutral) –Many sympathized with Britain and France

Reasons why the U.S. Entered the War:

Now you are Britain…how do you stop supplies reaching Germany (by sea)?

• A British naval blockade of the German coastline made it all but impossible for America to trade with Germany – The British policy of blockading Germany was the

primary reason for Germany ultimately introducing unrestricted submarine warfare.

– Germany would have claimed that Britain had forced her into taking this action.

2) Submarine warfare– German U-boats attack ships in British ports– U.S. protested unrestricted submarine warfare– Wilson vows to hold Germany responsible for loss of American

life or property

Reasons why the U.S. Entered the War:

3) Germany sinks the Lusitania (British ship) – 28 Americans are killed– At this point, Germany did not want war with the U.S. and agreed to stop attacking neutral ships.

Wilson demands apology, reparations, & promiseNOT to use subs again

- Germany agrees to only first two demands

However, the Lusitania was not an American ship and Wilson accepted the Germans change of policy - that U-boats would adopt 'cruiser' tactics and surface and attack a ship by guns fitted on to their decks.

Reasons why the U.S. Entered the War:

New York Times May 8, 1915/Ship torpedoed May 7, 1915

)

1916 - President Wilson campaigned for reelection on the slogan “He kept us out of war”

Wilson believed that a neutral U.S. could arrange a fair peace agreement in Europe did not believe that any of America’s interests were threatened by a European war – as long as her trade was allowed to continue unhindered

But this belief was

soon to be challenged!

On November 7th, 1916, Wilson won the presidential election.

• To many Americans hewas still seen as a man of peace • Wilson spent the next few months trying to

set up a way in which America could lead peace negotiations that would end the

war. – War was at a stalemate– He sent out a simple question to both sides –

What would it take for them to be willing to end the war?

Wilson argued for “peace without victory.”

That “victory” cited by Wilson was one of the main reasons for continuation of the war: “Victory would mean peace forced upon the loser, a victor’s terms imposed upon the

vanquished. It would be accepted in humiliation, under duress, at an intolerable sacrifice.”

• Britain and France sent back replies that stated their terms - terms that could only be met with a decisive military victory.

• Germany's reply was vague and evasive.

4) The Zimmermann Telegram

The Zimmermann Telegram• In January of 1917, British

cryptographers deciphered a telegram

• Germany’s foreign secretary (Zimmermann) sent a secret note to Mexico (February) Germany urged Mexico to attack the U.S. and in return, Mexico would gain back territory previously lost to the U.S.

• Americans and Wilson are outraged by the Zimmermann telegram

Crack the Code

• February 22, 1917To: von EckhardtMexico City

• British crack top secret code. U.S. press may leak German plot with Mexico. Prepare to leave embassy on short notice.

• BernstorffWashington, D.C

Other Reasons for U.S. Entrance

Any guesses?

Other Reasons for U.S. Entrance5) Russian Revolution (was a monarchy)

– When war broke out (1914) Russian people supported their Czar HOWEVER heavy losses, economic hardship, food became scarce, soldiers became war weary and devastating defeats at the hands of Germany demonstrated the ineffectiveness of Russia under Nicholas

– In March 1917, the Czar was forced to step down (eventually executed along with family)• Rumors of Anastasia (daughter escaped)

– Wilson believed that the revolution would end Russian monarchy and bring democracy

– Without a Czar, it was easier for Wilson to support the allies (keeping the world safe for democracy)

Other Reasons for U.S. Entrance6) Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare

– German U-boats sank several U.S. merchant ships – problem?– Remember back – after sinking of Lusitania (Wilson demanded 3 things – apology,

reparations, and stop using subs)• Germany agreed to how many?

• After this - German subs sank an unarmed French boat, the Sussex, in the English Channel in March 1916 – Wilson Mad!• Sussex Pledge Was a promise made in 1916 during World

War I by Germany to the United States– US threatened to cancel diplomatic relations with Germany

» Passenger ships would not be targeted» Merchant ships would not be sunk until the presence of weapons had been

established, if necessary by a search of the ship» Merchant ships would not be sunk without provision for the safety of passengers

and crew

» BUT GERMANY continued submarine attacks on American merchant and passenger ships

2

7) Propaganda

• Propaganda is the spreading of ideas that help a cause or hurt an opposing cause

• Each side pictured each other as savage beasts• Anti-German propaganda often referred to Germans as

Huns (barbaric and savage)• Many Americans came to favor Britain & France

U.S. Declares War!• April 2, 1917, Wilson asks

Congress to declare war against Germany

– Wilson states “the world must be made safe for democracy.”

• April 6, Wilson signs the declaration of war.

America is pushed into the deadliest war the world has

yet seen.

1917When the United States entered the war, Europe

was already devastated by 3 years of bloody fighting

• Soldiers were exhausted• Land was destroyed by total war

U.S. Entering the War

• When the U.S. entered the war with a fresh supply of weapons, food, and most importantly soldiers, it did not take long for the Allied Powers to win the war.

U.S. in World War IAmerican power tips the balance

When the U.S. entered World War I, they brought:more and fresh soldiers to fight

Selective Service Act (May 1917)24 million registered (age 18- 45) 3 million chosen by lottery

2 million troops in Europe - ¾ saw combat

if saw combat, 50% chance of injury or death

U.S. in World War IAmerican power tips the balance

When the U.S. entered World War I, they also brought:more suppliesmore weapons

1. expand the navy fleet (shipyard workers not drafted)

2. convoy system used to guard troop carriers & merchant ships across the Atlantic

Americans in the Great War Reached France June 14th 1917

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) [ def: US Armed Forces sent to Europe during World War I]

Under the command of General John Joseph “Black

Jack” Pershing - Ill-prepared to transport large numbers of soldiers and necessary equipment to the front, where supplies, rations, equipment, and trained soldiers were all in short supply. the AEF did not fully participate at the front until October

Pershing insisted that American soldiers be well-trained before going to Europe - didn’t just want to fill in the gaps French and British armies-Wanted a force that could operate independently from the Allies

Here comes the “doughboys”Where did this nickname come from?

-predates WW1

A Doughboy was the nickname of an American soldier or Marine during World War I.

- Also called YanksThe name “doughboy” was very popular among the men who bore it and it came to symbolize the American fighting men who were called into service.

Theories? - “doughboys”

Baked Goods TheoryOne suggestion is that doughboys were named such because of their method of cooking their rations. Meals were often doughy flour and rice concoctions either baked in the ashes of a camp fire or shaped around a bayonet and cooked over the flames.

Here comes the “doughboys”

The Button Theory: It is that U.S. infantrymen wore coats with unique, globular brass buttons. In one variation of this theory the buttons are said to reminiscent of the doughboy dumplings eaten by the soldiers and sailors of earlier days and which possibly had become part of American cuisine.

Here comes the “doughboys”

The Pipe Clay Theory: During the 19th Century American enlisted men used a fine whitish clay called pipe clay to give "polish“ to (remove dirt from) their uniforms (whitened their trimmings) and belts. It was a less than perfect appearance enhancer, however; in rainy weather the saturated clay came to look "doughie". Infantrymen would be more vulnerable to this effect as their comrades kicked up mud and dirty water from the many puddles they would march through

Here comes the “doughboys”

The Adobe Theory: In a nutshell - in marching over the parched terrain of the deserts of Northern Mexico the infantry stirred up so much dust that they took on the look of the abode buildings of the region -- hence, doughboys. The cavalrymen who rode horses, the artillerists who rode caissons and the quartermasters who rode wagons were all mounted above the worst of the dust cloud.

Over There by George M. Cohan

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

‘til it’s over Over There!