World War I, and Wilson’s 14 points

American HistoryMr. Henrichsen

Main PointsUS IsolationismEconomyThe Great War

US IsolationismDesire of many to stay out of the foreign conflicts.The US is not threatened either directly or indirectlyConflicting support in the statesMoral obligation to promote peaceFits Wilson’s idea of Missionary Diplomacy

The Great War – AKA World War I

Starts with the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand by the Black HandThe mass collection of alliances caused most European countries to declare war on each otherAllied Powers

England, France, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Portugal

Central PowersGermany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire

US InvolvementSupport of the Allied powers via trade

2.3 Billion dollars in loans to Allied PowersGerman Blockade

Sinks ships killing a few hundred US citizensLusitania – 128 US citizensStill not at warWilson re-elected “He kept us out of War”Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfareIn we go…

US ActionsSelective Service abka the Draft

Armed forces have only about 200,000Out of date weaponryFew planesI Want YOU – James Montgomery Flagg

Involvement in EuropeUS troops called DoughboysAlthough inexperienced the energy they brought was very welcomeSeparate from other allied troops to ensure a strong US presence at the peace talks

Treaty of Versailles - USPossible US involvement in future conflicts.Irreconcilables vs. Reservationists.Wilson went on a speaking tour to support.Wilson has a stroke.Treaty is rejected by the Senate.

Treaty of Versailles - EuropeGermany lost land.Austrio-Hungarian empire split into many nations.Russia gave up land during revolution.Many new nations created with known ethnic conflicts. (Romania, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia)

Treaty of Versailles – Europe cont.

France wanted large reparations from Germany for WWIEngland wanted continued naval dominance.The Allies wanted to ensure that Germany could never do this again. Thus they created the Weimar Republic.

Europe before and after WWI

Trench WarfareTools

TrenchesMachine GunsBarbed wirePoison gasBiological agentsHelmetsLightsMinesGrenades

TermsMaginot LineNo Man’s LandTrench foot

Trench Warfare

Wilson’s 14 PointsOpen Covenants of Peace.Absolute freedom of navigation on the seas.Removal of all economic barriers and establish equal trade conditions.

Reduction of national armaments. Open minded disbursement of colonies.Evacuation of Russian territory.Restoration of Belgium.

Wilson’s 14 PointsFrench territory restored.Italy should be organized under boundaries according to nationality.Austria-Hungarian people must be allowed autonomous development.

Balkan states must be evacuated, and gov’t determined by nationality and allegiance.Turkey should be secure.An independent Polish state.A League of Nations must be formed.

US reaction to League of Nations