America in W W I 1

AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN WORLD WAR I

I. The causes of World War I

A. Nationalism -> Excessive nationalism brought hatred and ill-feelings between nations. Some nations wanted to extend their boundaries to include other ethnic groups. 1. 2. 3. Pan-Germanism = Germans felt that they must be the champions of the world Some nations sought revenge on others (e.g., France against Germany) National prestige - even minor threats were considered a major infraction to national honor B. Imperialism -> The Great Powers competed for territories in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Resentment followed this empire build-up. Germany's territory in East Africa harmed Britain's Cape-to-Cairo railroad C. Militarism -> European nations built up large armies and navies to protect their national and international interests. The primary competition was between England and Germany. D. Alliances -> if one nation in the alliance was attacked, the others would come to its defense 1. 2. Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) was created in 1B82 by Chancellor Bismarck of Germany in order to isolate Frances Triple Entente (Britain, France & Russia). Originally formed in 1894 as the Dual Alliance, this alliance was formally created in the early twentieth century. The Hague Conference (1899) was designed to set up an international court of arbitration to settle disputes;
however, nations were not required to submit to the decisions of the court

E. Note that there were other causes, including the one where treaties were settled secretly, thereby preventing most citizens from knowing what their own governments were doing. international anarchy, where there was little accepted authority to settle disputes Balkan crisis, 1912-13 F. Immediate Cause -> The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austrian set off a chain reaction of war declarations throughout Europe II. American Response to the Outbreak to World War I. (a general European war had been predicted for two decades) A. President Wilson issued a Proclamation of Neutrality after the start of the war in 1914. However, many Americans were pro-Ally as a partial result of our British heritage. Americans also felt close to France, remembering that France had at one time helped the newly born United States in her own crisis after 1776. 1.
the Democratic Congressional campaigns of 1914 were based on keeping the U.S. out of Europe's conflict

Anti-German sentiment was caused by previous conflicts with that nation over the Somoan Islands, as well as economic conflicts with Germany's growing world-wide trade. Germany's militarism, imperialism, and commercialism was considered a menace to Americas American industrialists shuddered at the sign "made in Germany," which demonstrated efficiency

2.

Germany's attack on tiny Belgium (in 1914), thereby breaking a guarantee of neutrality dating back to 1839, heightened American anger at Germany. the attack violated Belgian neutrality on its way to attacking France a.
Propaganda: British press filtered stories (mostly true) about German atrocities into the United States -

Germany executed a British nurse, causing more anti-German feelings

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B. American industry came out of a recession in 1913-14, only to find a ready market for her goods with France and Britain. American was somewhat willing to trade with Germany, only if the Germans could effectively sail through a British blockade
U.S. FOREIGN TRADE DURING WORLD WAR I Dollars A. To allied countries: England France, Italy, Russia 1914 1915 1916 B. To Central Powers: Austria-Hungary, Germany 1914 1915 1916 C. To Northern Neutrals: Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden 1914 1915 1916 Index (1914=100)

$824,860.237 $1,991,747.493 $3,214,480,547

100.0 241.0 389.0

$169,289,775 $11,878,153 $1,159,653

100.0 7.0 0.68

$187,776,040 $330,100,646 $279,786,219

100.0 175.8 149.0

1. 2.

German-American groups strongly protested American trade with Britain, and asked Washington to curtail all wartime trade. The new prosperity for the nation was too great for Congress to stop the profitable trade. German and Austrian agents infiltrated American industry and unions in an attempt to stop the flow of weapons to western Europe German industrial sabotage was confirmed in 1915 after federal agents captured secret German documents. A New Jersey munitions plant was destroyed in 1915, probably by German saboteurs Britain's blockade and mining of the high seas also angered American shippers designed against Germany, the blockade program was designed to "starve" Germany into submission (the "hunger" blockade). England declared most goods war materials

3.

C. Germany announced in 1915 that she would sink merchant ships carrying "contraband" (U-boat warfare) - Germany admitted that mistakes would be made in attacking neutral ships 1. Germany advertised in American newspapers her intention to sink American ships
Lusitania, a British passenger liner, was sunk in May 1915. It was later learned that Lusitania was carrying a

few thousand cases of small-arms ammunition. Wilson sent strongly worded messages to Germany without much success. 2. After two other ships were sunk with the loss of some American lives, Germany issued its Arabic and Sussex pledges (after the two ships sunk by Germany), stating that they would be more careful when determining which vessels should be torpedoed! Germany said that they would give a warning Secretary of State Bryan resigned rather than join a possible conflict a. 1917 = Germany issued a proclamation indicating that she would attack any American vessel and sink that ship (without fair warning). America severed relations with Germany in February 1917.
Germany later sent a note "regretting" this incident after much pressure from Wilson

international law stated that a ship had to be warned before it was sunk 128 Americans died

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b.

Wilson barely won the 1916 election with the slogan "he kept us out of war" Germany sank four American ships within two weeks TR pushed for war and military preparedness. He accused Wilson of lagging behind in preparing the nation for war

Zimmerman (German foreign Secretary) note (March 1917) = Germany sent a message to Mexico

attempting to arrange a German-Mexican alliance Germany tried to persuade Mexico to fight against the U.S. c. 2 April 1917 = Wilson urged Congress to declare war on Germany - to "make the world safe for democracy" D. Wilson issued his "Fourteen Points" (1918) to outline allied war aims. He hoped that this message would inspire the allies to fight more vigorously for "peace" (victory)
1 . Abolition of secret diplomacy. [The liberals in all countries would approve.] 2 . Freedom to navigate the high seas in peace and war. [Pleasing to the Germans who distrusted British sea power.] 3 . Removal of economic barriers among the nations. [Reassuring to the Germans, who feared economic reprisals at the end of the war.] 4 . Reduction of armaments. [Gratifying to taxpayers in all countries] 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Adjustment of colonial claims in the interest of both the inhabitants and the power concerned. Restoration of Russia and a welcome for her in the society of nations. The return of Belgium to her people. Evacuation and restoration of the French territory, including Alsace-Lorraine, taken by the Germans in l871. Readjustment of Italian frontiers "along clearly recognizable lines of nationality."

10. Free opportunity for "autonomous development' for people of Austria Hungary. [An appeal to the submerged minorities of the ramshackle empire.] 11. Restoration of the Balkan nations and free access to the sea for Serbia. 12. Protection for minorities in Turkey 13. An independent Poland. [Seductive to the Poles of Austria-Hungary and Germany.] 1 4 . "A general association [League] of Nations" to secure "mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike."

F. American war machinery 1. Selective Service Act: all men between 21-30, later 18-45, were required to register. Nearly 3 million were drafted by lottery War Industries Board - created to help regulate increased productivity for America's war effort, this board had virtual dictatorial powers over industry. Fixed prices, increased production through standardization, and curbed anti-trust legislation to increase output. "Labor will win the war" - A F of L & Gompers supported the war 2. Food Administration, headed by Herbert Hoover, was created to help curb waste as the United States had to feed not only itself, but also the allies in Europe a. b. 3. " victory gardens," "food will win the war, don't waste it" daylight savings time was introduced to conserve electricity Propaganda slogans aided in this effort: wheatless Mondays, meatless Tuesdays, porkless, Thursdays The drive for prohibition was increased because many of the nation's brewers were of German decent

Financing the war through increased income taxes, and other forms of taxation and fees. The sale of "liberty bonds" also brought needed revenue

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4.

Committee on Public Information, headed by George Creel (a professional journalist), helped boost the war effort in the minds of all Americans. Creel's committee employed 150,000 persons at one time, all working to motivate Americans to aid in the cause of war (mobilizing the mind) a. Anti-German hysteria created a new form of jargon Liberty cabbage = ___________ Liberty measles = ___________ Liberty steak = ___________ Liberty dog (pooch) = ___________ Hot dog = ___________

5.

Espionage & Sedition Acts of 1917-18 were passed in order to guarantee complete patriotism. The acts

tended to go after German-Americans, members of the Socialist political party, and also members of the Industrial Workers of the World ("the wobblies"). Soft forms of censorship were used against Socialist leaning publications. anyone who used disloyal, profane, or abusive language against the U.S.A. was guilty of a crime I W W chief Bill Haywood was sentenced to 20 years in prison (later buried in the Kremlin) Eugene Debs was sentenced to 10 years in prison
1919 Schenck v. United States [free speech & 1st Amendment & Congressional War Powers] Charles T. Schenck and Elizabeth Baer, charged with conspiring to print and circulate documents intended to cause insubordination within the military, were convicted of violating the Espionage Act of 1917. The act made it a crime to "willfully cause or attempt to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty in the military ... or to willfully obstruct the recruiting service of the United States." Schenk, a prominent Socialist leader, and others were convicted for inciting young men to resist the draft during World War I. They mailed circulars opposing the war and the draft, describing the draft as a violation of the 13th Amendment. This was also in violation of various Sedition Laws passed by the federal government during the war. Schenck appealed the conviction to the Supreme Court, claiming all his actions were protected by the First Amendment freedom of speech and press. The Constitutional question was whether Schenck's and Baer's First Amendment right to freedom of speech were violated when they were convicted of conspiring to obstruct the recruitment and enlistment of service. The Court unanimously upheld the conviction of Schenck, not for violation of the Espionage Act, but rather for conspiracy to violate it. The Court found that the First Amendment did not apply in this case, and that Schenck's speech was not constitutionally protected because it posed a "clear and present danger" to the country. The nation was involved in World War I, and the Court saw Schenck's speech and action as counter-productive to the national war effort. The Court reasoned that certain speech could be curtailed, using the example of a situation where one cannot yell "fire in a crowded theater and [cause] a panic. This opinion by the unanimous Court announced Justice Holmes clear and present danger test. Every act must be judged according to the circumstances. No freedom is absolute; First Amendment questions were a matter of proximity and degree, and the nation was at war.

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Petition to the Board of Education of Glenn Ellyn High School

America in W W I 6 1919 Debs v. United States [free speech & 1st Amendment & Congressional War Powers]Eugene V. Debs, a well known socialist, gave a public speech to an assembly of people in Canton, Ohio. The speech was about the growth of socialism and contained statements which were intended to interfere with recruiting for the draft and advocated insubordination, disloyalty, and mutiny in the armed forces. Debs also denounced World War I as a capitalist plot. Debs was arrested and charged with violating the Espionage Act of 1917. Debs was prosecuted for creating insubordination in the armed forces, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The issue was whether the United States violated the right of freedom of speech given to Debs in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Supreme Court of the United States upheld the lower court's decision in favor of the United States. The Court said that Debs had actually planned to discourage people from enlisting in the Armed Forces. The Court refused to grant him protection under the First Amendment freedom of speech clause, stating that Debs "used words [in his speech] with the purpose of obstructing the recruiting service." Debs' conviction under the Espionage Act would stand, because his speech represented a "clear and present danger" to the safety of the United States.

III. 11 November 1918, the Armistice was signed ending the conflict A. The Versailles Treaty and the League of Nations = Wilson personally led the American peace delegation to Paris (he selected 3 Democrats & a little known Republican to lead the peace delegation). The peace conference opened in January 1919, just a few weeks after the Communists had taken over Russia. There was growing fear that the Russians might venture into Europe if a peace treaty was not concluded soon 1. Treaty of Versailles was handed to Germany in June 1919, with the provision of huge "reparations" to be paid by Germany to the allies (a strong desire to punish Germany) most money was never paid, but it did lead to the break-up of the German economy a. Rejected by the American Senate because of political bickering - the Republicans had the necessary votes to defeat Wilson on treaty ratification Lodge of Massachusetts & Borah of Idaho were the strongest opponents
Anti-Treaty of Versailles + League of Nations [Britain] could demand American blood to subdue Ireland [under Article X of the Leagues covenant] Lodge didnt want Democrats to gain votes by winning the Treaty Europe should stew in its own juices England gained undo influence Lodges Fourteen Reservations generally reaffirmed the Monroe Doctrine & Americanized the treaty Bolshevik Russia had not been recognized by other nations there was no provision by which the USA could withdraw from the League Americans felt that they should have been allowed to invade Berlin & hang the Kaiser Wilson appealed for a Democratic Congress in the 1918 elections (Wilson staked his prestige on the election outcomes) Wilson alienated Republicans by asking for a Democratic mandate for his peace plans; Republicans won in both houses

Pro-Treaty of Versailles + League of Nations Wilsons strong belief in democratic tradition war was fought to end all wars Fourteen Points appealed to the masses of citizens the majority of Americans seemed to favor retification of the treaty Wilson pushed through the mandate system to make adjustments to colonial claims Lodge intentionally delayed discussion of the treaty by taking 2-weeks to read the treaty aloud Wilson toured the country to build-up support for the treaty (met with limited success) self-determination was granted to several new European nations

2.

The United States also refused to join the League of Nations - in the election of 1920, Wilson again asked for a Democratic mandate, but the Democratic candidate James Cox was defeated at the polls when Harding was elected President the U.S. Senate passed a resolution ending hostilities in 1921

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Comparing the League of Nations with the United Nations

(based on an original idea from McDougal, Littel & Company 1985, revised & updated -> 2003)

Directions: Using this reading below, plus the reading in your APUSH text, answer the questions that follow.

The fourteenth point of Woodrow Wilson's Plan for Peace of January, 1918 called for the establishment of a "general association of nations." The result was the creation of the League of Nations, the model for the United Nations organization. The League of Nations met in Geneva from 1920 to 1946 until it was replaced by the United Nations. The United States failed to ratify the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 and never joined the League of Nations. Study the information provided and answer the following questions. The following is the covenant and the structure for the League of Nations as established in 1919.
Secretariat: This is comprised of the secretary-general of the League of Nations and the staff of the secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. Council: The council of the League of Nations is made up of the principal allied and associated powers as permanent members [France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the United States] and four other nations elected by the assembly. Assembly: The assembly of the League of Nations is made up of all member nations represented by delegations of no more than three individuals with each nation having one vote. World Court: The Permanent Court of International Justice which meets at The Hague.

The following is the charter of the United Nations and structure as established in 1945.
Secretariat: This is comprised of the secretary-general of the United Nations and the staff of the secretariat in New York City. Security Council: The Security Council of the United Nations is made up of China, France, U.S.S.R., Great Britain and the United States and six other members elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term. General Assembly: The General Assembly of the United Nations is made up of all member nations represented by delegations of no more than five individuals with each nation having one vote. Permanent institutions: The Economic and Social Council; The Trusteeship Council; The International Court of Justice.

1.

Which two nations served as permanent members of both the council of the League of Nations and the Security Council of the U. N.?

5.

Briefly explain why the failure of the United States to join the League of Nations crippled that organization from the start.

2.

List specific similarities between the structure of the League of Nations and the structure of the United Nations.

6.

Was the failure of Treaty ratification the fault of the Republicans, or Wilsons fault? (see APUSH textbook)

3.

List differences between the structure of the League of Nations and the structure of the United Nations.

7.

Explain what American membership in the League of Nations might have done. Would it have solved world problems?

4. Why was the Security Council of the United Nations stronger than the Council of the League of Nations?

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Interpreting Political Cartoons: The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations
Directions: Using the cartoons and your APUSH textbook reading, answer the questions that follow related to the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations treaty ratification process.

1.

What ceremony is shown taking place?

2.

What objection does the cartoonist think that the U.S. Senate will have to tbe ceremony?

4.

What is the cartoonists point of view with these cartoons

3.

How do you think Americans would have reacted to the above cartoon?