The Great War

1914-1918http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2CgUIrBHoo

Outbreak of WWILong term causes for the outbreak of World War I

• Militarism– The belief that a nation needs a large military force

• Alliances– Agreement between countries

• Nationalism– The feeling of pride, loyalty, and protectiveness of one’s

country• Imperialism

– The policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over a weaker nation.

World War I Opponents

Allies Central Powers

Great BritainFranceRussiaSerbiaBelgiumUnited States

GermanyAustria-HungaryBulgariaOttoman Empire

Outbreak of War

Immediate cause of the outbreak of WWI

• Assassination– Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife

were murdered in Sarajevo June 28, 1914• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; soon after

other European countries were following (because of alliances)—leading to the outbreak of WWI

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfxrTD-kPps

Reasons for U.S. involvement in War

• Inability to remain neutral– Sinking of American merchant ships– Alliance with Great Britain

• German submarine warfare– German u-boats torpedoed several merchant ships

without warning—unrestricted warfare.

• Sinking of the Lusitania– Germany torpedoed the British passenger ship killing

1,198 people including 128 Americans

• U.S. economic and political ties to Great Britain

• The Zimmerman Telegram

World War I:The United States enters the war

The Untied States Declares WarWilson is reelected in 1916 and events quickly turned the US towards war.

Zimmerman Telegram:• German official named Arthur Zimmerman,

instructed the German ambassador to propose an ally between Mexico and Germany.

• Germany wanted the US forces to be tied down to Mexico, not Europe.

• Plan fails when British intelligence intercepts the Zimmerman Telegram.

• In March 1917, Germany continues with unrestricted submarine warfare; sinking three American ships. – Wilsonasks for a declaration of War, April 6,

1917http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBjSeQ602ZI

The Home FrontStep 1: Building up the Military

• Selected Service– All men between the ages of 21-30 were required to

register for the draft and a lottery randomly determined the order they were called.

– 2.8 million men were drafted and 2 million volunteered.

• African Americans– 400,000 were drafted only 42,000 served in combat.

– Encountered discrimination and prejudice in combat.

– Served in segregated units.

HOMEFRONT

Step 2: Organizing Industry• Congress creates special boards to

coordinate mobilization of economy. – Used to emphasize cooperation between big

businesses and government

HOMEFRONT• Food & Fuel

– Food Administration; Herbert Hoover• To conserve food Americans followed:

– Wheatless Monday’s, Meatless Tuesdays, Porkless Thursdays

– Victory gardens• Fuel ; Harry Garfield

– Introduced daylight savings to conserve energy.– Heatless Mondays– Shortened work weeks for non war production

factories.• Paying for War

– Bonds: American people were loaning the government money.• Victory bonds

HOMEFRONT

Step 3: Mobilizing for War• National War Labor Board

– Mediate labor disputes.– Pressured industry to grant wage

increases, 8 hour workdays, right of unions

• Women’s Support Industry– Filled vacancies in the industry.

• Shipping industries• Railroad industries

– Jobs were not permanent for women.

Women

– First time served in armed forces as• Nurses, clerical duties, radio operators,

electricians, pharmacists, photographers, chemists and torpedo assemblers

– 11,000 women served in Navy– Army only allowed to enlist in Army

Nursing Corps: 20,000 served and 10,000 served overseas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOLlDSbe4y8