Post on 09-Jun-2018
In August 1914, President Woodrow Wilson asked Americans to remain impartial in thought and deed toward the war that had just broken out in Europe. Wilson wanted the United States to exemplify the democratic commitment to peace, but "The Great War" continually challenged the nation's neutrality.
President Woodrow Wilson tried to keep America out of World War I, and succeeded in postponing U.S. entry into the war for almost three years.
World War I was:**Originally called the “Great War” due to the numerous
nations that fought and the great cost of lives and property.
**Broke out in Europe in August 1914 between the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, and Russia) and the
Central Powers (Germany, Austrian-Hungary Empire, and the Ottoman Empire)
**Over 9 million soldiers died as well as over 5 million civilians died (22 million soldiers injured)
** United States remained neutral until April 1917 ( war had already gone on for 20 months), then joined Allied Powers
Causes of World War I
***Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (heir to throne in Austrian-Hungary Empire) in August 1914 by Serbian nationalists-------- starts a chain of events that lead to war
1. System of Secret Treaties- Alliances
2. Competition between empires
a. Militarism – government with a strong military spirit or policy
b. Imperialism--the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire
c. Nationalism -- devotion and loyalty to one's own nation
3. Smaller ethnic groups (Serbs, Poles, etc.) wishing self-determination
What previous
war that we’ve
studied also saw
this level of
destruction?
Péronne during the Battle of the Somme, 1916--Robert
Carlson. "Don't be angry, just be amazed," was the
calling card left by Germans on the destroyed town
hall of Péronne after their withdrawal to the
Hindenberg
Civil War – Sherman’s
March to the Sea.
United States’ Involvement during war
United States declared the Neutrality Proclamation at start of war (President Washington urged all future presidents not to be involved in European wars!)
U.S. claimed “freedom of the seas” meaning they can trade with any warring nation
Yet U.S. gets drawn into war:
1. German U-Boats sinking ships
2. Anti-German propaganda (German atrocities)
3. Zimmerman telegram (Germany ally with Mexico?)
Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)
Military Personnel from Georgia
Number who served: 100,000 men and women to the
war effort
Military Training Facilities in Georgia
Fort McPherson, Fort Oglethorpe, and Camp Benning
were most notable
Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)
Textile Mills
Georgia’s mills produced material for
uniforms, blankets, coats, and other needed
supplies
Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)
Railroads
Railroads in Georgia helped to transport supplies,
weapons, and food to various cities in the North for
shipment to Europe as well as to the various forts
across the state
Railroads also transported soldiers for training across
the state
Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)
Farms
Germans blindsided the Allies with chlorine gas, which was very painful and detrimental; they would use this weapon in the trenches
American chemist James Bert Garner discovered a solution to the problem in 1915, when he realized the chlorine gas could be subdued with activated charcoal, made from natural fibers such as those found in peach pits.
Georgia farms were important in supplying not only food for soldiers but also now for this activated charcoal
• Textile Mills How they helped the war effort:
Railroads How they helped the war effort:
Farms How they helped the war effort:
Sewing circles How they helped the war effort:
Bond Drives How they helped the war effort:
Red Cross What is it? How it helped the war effort:dispatched a ship to Europe loaded with medical personnel and supplies
Victory Gardens What were they: How they helped the war effort:
Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)
Sewing Circles
Many women wanted to help the war effort on the homefront, but weren’t allowed to join the military
Sewing circles were organized, mostly by women married to soldiers, to sew clothes and flags for the soldiers overseas
Bond Drives
A bond is like a loan: the holder of the bond is the lender (creditor), the issuer of the bond is the borrower (debtor), and the coupon is the interest.
Bonds were sold by the US government to help pay for the war; many Americans saw it as a patriotic act to “loan” their money to the government during the war
Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)
Red Cross
Founded at the beginning of WWI; sent “mercy
ships” to Europe to provide medical care, supply food
and clothing, and to generally support civilians and
soldiers alike
Many women joined Red Cross relief efforts by
volunteering their time to create supply boxes OR by
becoming relief workers and nurses who would go to
Europe
Georgia’s Contribution to World War I (SS8H7d)
Victory Gardens
During WWI, families were encouraged to plant home
gardens at their residences or in public parks in order
to reduce the pressure on the public food supply
brought on by the war effort.
The message was this: “Whatever food you aren’t
eating at home can be sent overseas for a soldier in
need”