Post on 29-Dec-2015
Chapter 23America and the Great War
Collapse of Peace Triple Alliance
(Central) Germany Austro-Hungary Italy
Main rivalry between Germany and England
Triple Entente (Allied) Britain France Russia
Immediate Cause• 1914-Serbian nationalist assassinates the
Archduke of Austria-Hungary– Wanted Bosnia to be part of Serbia
• Quickly dragged all parties into conflict• By 1915- most European Powers
involved.• Germany invades Belgium to move
toward France– Germany confident of quick victory– The Schlieffen Plan
Schlieffen Plan German plan almost worked
The Assassin
Wilson’s “Neutrality”• “remain impartial in thought as well as in deed”
– Privately Wilson sympathetic toward England.– Americans divided based on ethnicity and
tradition– Propaganda
• Exaggerated Belgian atrocities hurt public opinion against Germany.
– Economics• US has much stronger economic ties to Allied
Powers• War orders for supplies creating economic boom– Cannot remain neutral to British Blockade of Germany
Germany’s Submarine WarfareUS Hypocrisy??
Can Britain blockade international waters and starve Germany?
Does Germany have the right to then patrol Atlantic and sink ships trading with Allies?
Germany announces that enemy vessels will be sunk.
Lusitania and Sussex
• Lusitania Sunk- May 1915– 1100 Dead– 128 Americans
• US and Wilson outraged– Investigation shows ship carrying weapons.– Teddy: “Act of Piracy”
• Sussex attacked (unarmed)– Americans hurt
• Wilson demands Germany cease “unlawful” tactics• Germany relents: Does not want US in the war.
Preparedness Vs. Pacificism Wilson balancing act
Pro-war group Economic interests Defend nations “honor” against attacks
Neutrality group LaFollette and Bryan Irish and German Americans
As tensions with Germany increases Wilson changes mind and begins preparedness
Campaigns in 1916: “He kept us out of war”
A War for Democracy After narrow victory, Wilson looked for
justification Used Progressive ideals for domestic
reform to justify war. New World Order
League of Nations Self-determination
Final Reasons for War Unrestricted Submarine Warfare from
Germany (US ships not excluded) Almost guaranteed US entry
Zimmerman Letter Germany promises Mexico return of
Southwest if they intervene in case of war.
Inflames US opinion
Wilson asks Congress for declaration of war on April 2, 1917 3 US ships recently attacked.
In order to “bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free”
The War and American Society Total War- All social, economic resources
directed by govt. toward war effort. Funding the War-
32$ Billion ultimately directed toward war Fed. Budget barely exceeded 1B before the war.
Liberty Bonds New Taxes
70% in some brackets
Organizing the Economy
Council of National Defense Set up local defense councils in every
locality Didn’t work due to lack of centralization
Planning Bodies by Sector Railroads Agriculture Manufacturing
War Industries Board
Ultimately headed by Bernard Baruch (Wall Street) Wielded greater power than any govt. agency in
history. Which factories would be converted to war
production Set prices for goods Allocated resources and supplies Awarded private contract bids
Similar to the Centralization of Economy some progressives pushed for.
WIB Problems Inefficient Mismanaged Not as important as it might seem
Less so than private
To Profit or Not? Some Progressives urged a limitation of
corporate profits Baruch
Preferred to incentivize them with anti-trust immunity
Profits Close cooperation between public and
private Some thought this could continue after the
war.
Labor and the War National War Labor Board
Mediated disputes Pressured both sides to concede
Employers 8 hour day Minimal living standards Equal pay for women Recognize rights of unions to organize No lockouts
Unions No strikes
Ludlow Massacre- Colorado 1914 Miners strike, state militia clash- 39 killed, 11 children
Economic and Social Impacts of the War Economic Boom- 1914
Increased demand from Europe Many industries affected
Farmers- highest prices in decades Ship building Manufacturing Rising wages BUT also high inflation
New Opportunites Women African-Americans Mexican and Asian
The Great Migration Migration of African-Americans to Northern
Cities Push Factor
Poverty Debt Racism Violence
Pull Factory jobs More Freedom and Autonomy
Effects of Migration Social Tensions
Established blacks Resented “country ways” Revivalistic Religion Feared renewed racism from whites
Whites New black communities impinged on white ones East St. Louis, Illinois- 1917
Whites attack black community, burn homes 40 Blacks killed
Women and the War New opportunities in new fields for whites and
blacks Steel Munitions Trucking Public Transportation
Mostly temporary Women In Industry Board
Helped fill these temp jobs Post War: Women’s Bureau- women’s work force
issues. (Dept. of Labor)
The Search for Social Unity Progressives hoped that War could
achieve a “lasting sense of collective purpose.”
Search for unity produced repression.
The Peace Movement Many Factions
Ethnic Groups Socialists and IWW- Capitalist War
Commercial supremacy Women’s Peace Party
Carrie Chapman Catt- 1915- Founder Fought to prevent intervention Changed support to advance suffrage
Some voiced “Maternal” oppositionSome groups like NAWSA supported the warJane Addams- Always opposed- hurt popularity
Selling the War,
War boosted: Patriotism Nationalism Voluntary enlistments Volunteer organizations- Red Cross Fund raising in communities and schools Religious Revivalism
Suppressing Dissent Govt. viewed Public
Opinion as crucial to war effort.
Committee on Public Information (CPI) George Creel-
Denver Tons of pro-War
literature
CPI Creel “encouraged” reporters to
exercise “self-censorship” Veiled threats worked on most
Messages became more exaggerated as war dragged Portrayal as “savages”
Efforts to Curb Dissent Newspaper ads:
Asked people to report dissenters Espionage Act of 1917
Gave govt. power to punish (broadly defined list). Spying Sabotage Obstruction of war effort
Postmaster General Albert Sidney Burleson
Banned mail that might be “seditious” Socialist Party literature
Sabotage and Seditions Acts of 1918 Made it illegal to make any public statements
In opposition to the war Critical of President or Govt.
Most widely used against Socialists and IWW Eugene Debs sentenced to 10 years
Big Bill Haywood- IWW- Fled to Soviet Union to avoid prosecution
1500 arrested for criticizing the govt. Climate of Repression
Universities, local govt., corporations, private citizens,
Vigilante mobs Beatings and killings
American Protective League 250,000 Americans recruited to spy on
fellow neighbors: Opening mail Tapping phones Foster unity of opinion in their
communities Other groups served the same function
Targets of Repression Socialists Labor Pacifists Immigrants
Irish-Americans- Opposition to British Jews- Opposition to Russian Anti-
semitism
German-Americans Most remained loyal and supported the
war. Americans rejected all things German
“Liberty Cabbage” Liberty Sausage Music and Books banned Language classes removed from curricula
Harrassment, Beatings, 1 Killing
Wilson’s Fourteen Points Wilsonianism
Internationalism Rooted in Progressive Ideals
Man could perfect the world order Man could live in peace
3 Broad Categories 1. Postwar-Boundaries (from Austro-
Hungarian and Ottoman Empires) Established new nations Based on Self-determination
2. 5 Principles for International Conduct Freedom of the Seas Open Covenants: No secret treaties Arms Reduction Free Trade Impartial Mediation of Colonial Claims
3. League of Nations Popular among the masses of Europe
NOT popular among world leaders
Flaws in the Plan No details about how to achieve “self-
determination” No mention of economic rivalries that
caused the war.
Can the world ever achieve Wilson’s vision of world peace?
Bolshevik Competition Lenin delivered his own plan Russia now seen as competitor to lead
post-war order.
Early Obstacles European Leaders
Resented Wilson’s “Moral Superiority” Resented Wilson’s refusal to be called an
“ally” Were offended by separation of US troops
during the war. Wanted to greatly punish Germany for the
cost of the war.
Problems at Home 1918 Elections
Wilson asked America to show support by electing Democrats Republicans took over both Houses of Congress
Economic issues at home contributed But losses hurt Wilson’s credibility at home and
overseas. Wilson ignored opposition due to his
confidence in obtaining a “moral treaty” World opinion would gain victory over critics
The Paris Peace Conference- 1918 Treated as a “savior” by the masses of Europe.
Possibly largest crowds in European history Wilson ignored advice of advisors to start with
lower level negotiations He alone would get it done.
European Leaders Italy- Vittorio Orlando England- William Lloyd George France- Georges Clemenceau Fearful of unstable conditions in Russia
The Big Four
The White Army Anti-Bolsheviks Russians
American troops sent to help as late as 1920
Hurt US- Russia Relations
Problems Wilson’s 14 Points were shot down one by one.
Britain- Open Seas Open covenants- secret talks at conference Self-determination- German colonies given to
Japan for war aid. Reparations- 3 other leaders over-ruled Wilson
Germany should never again be allowed to become a threat
$9 Billion eventually paid (sum originally set at $56B.
Some Victories New nations created- Self-determination
Irony: new countries still contained many unfriendly ethnic groups. Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia Would later cause major problems
Sudetenland- Hitler 1990’s Balkan Conflict
Allies accept League of Nations Settle disputes: Enforcement??? Wilson believed setbacks could be corrected by
the League
The Ratification Battle Americans were used to isolationist policy
towards Europe. Wilson had to convince them to move toward
internationalism. Treaty of Versailles He refused to compromise.
Henry Cabot Lodge- Senator Hated and opposed Wilson on the Treaty Delayed process with lengthy hearings Proposed amendments- Wilson refused.
Wilson’s Ordeal Wilson decided to appeal to the public
Cross-country tour Wilson’s health deteriorating.
Hardening arteries Possible stroke in Europe
3 weeks- 8,000 miles Wilson has massive stroke, collapsed Wilson in very poor physical and emotional health
for remainder of Presidency Senate continued to battle with Wilson Wilson
wouldn’t budge
A Society in Turmoil Americans losing interest in Treaty More concerned by conditions at home Social Aftermath
Americans were less open to Progressive Reforms
Conservative Fear, Repression, and Reaction?
Industry and Labor Economic “reconversion” was difficult
with abrupt end to the war. Temporary Post-war boom
Pent-up consumer demand European demand for US goods Continued govt. spending Inflation became a problem
1920 Recession High Inflation- Hurt consumer demand
(AD) 10% GDP decline 100,000 business failures 450K farmers lost homes 5M lost jobs Labor Unions fought to keep war time
rights 3,600 strikes- 4 million workers
Major Strikes Seattle- early success but strike finally
failed when mayor used Marines to run the city
Boston Police Strike Coolidge calls in National Guard to stop looting. Whole police force fired
Steelworkers Strike- largest in US history Long, violent Eventually failed when public turned against
strikers, (AFL stopped support)
Demands of African-Americans War changed attitude and demands of
blacks Expected social rewards for service Workers expectations rose from war economy
Results- 1919 Escalation of tension and violence Southern lynchings increased No real changes in jobs and attitudes
Whites resented threat to wages and jobs
Chicago Race Riots Black teenager attacked by whites at Lake
Michigan, drowned. Black mob formed leading to white mobs
Shootings, stabbings, destroyed homes 15 whites 23 blacks 537 injured. Total deaths from all riots: 120 Unique from prior riots: Blacks fighting back Encouraged by NAACP to fight back and defend
Marcus Garvey United Negro
Improvement Association
Black Nationalism
Black Nationalism Take pride in your own superior race Reject White Assimilation Start black owned businesses Return to Africa UNIA experienced fast growth Garvey later indicted on charges of
business fraud. Black Nationalism still sees popularity
today
The Red Scare What contributed to the Red Scare?
Unstable climate Strikes Riots Dissent/ Anti-war protests
Russian Comintern American Communist Party and other radical
groups Bombings
Repressive war atmosphere Journalism: Blamed all protest on radicalism
Palmer Raids- 1920 Raids on radical centers 6,000 arrests No cache of weapons Led to deportations of 500 non-citizens
Sacco and Vanzetti Both men followers of radical anarchist
who advocated terrorism. Questionable evidence Historians don’t agree on guilt
Trial attracted international attention Both men put to death by electrocution Significance:
Media attention Some believe evidence of injustice and govt.
overreaction to “radicals”. Was the Red Scare justified?
Rights were trampled There were many communist sympathizers
among educated elite, reformers, and journalists
WWI in Summary US emergence as major global power
Also, more isolationist in terms of alliances League of Nations (pre-cursor to UN) Constitutional rights were ignored Some reform gains:
Suffrage- 19th amendment Women’s issues passed
Infants and Maternity Women’s citzenship
Created social instability Reaction was to move slower with reforms
Only temporary gains for minorities and women: Planted seeds for future gains
Anti-radicalism