America and the Great War:

From Neutrality to Conflict

The war begins in Europe July, 1914 President Wilson’s

message to the American people:

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/usneutrality.htm

Most popular song:

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4942/

The difficulty of neutrality

Wilson the idealist: his vision for the world

Democracy, civil rights, capitalism, and free trade for all

Is Wilson really being neutral?

Trouble on the high seas 1914 and 1915:

February, 1915:

The Lusitania May 7, 1915:

Election of 1916 Woodrow Wilson

(Democrat) reelected “We didn’t go to war!”

Charles Evans Hughes-Republican

The final steps Jan 31, 1917:

Feb 24, 1917: British spies inform Wilson of the “Zimmermann Telegram:”

Zimmermann Telegram

Declaration of War on Germany April 2, 1917: Wilson’s war message

The world must be “made safe for democracy” “A war to end all wars.” http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4943/

Getting ready for war Selective Service Act of 1917:

War Industries Board (1917):

Fuel Administration:

Food Administration:

5,000 other government boards regulated American life during the war

Wartime propaganda Propaganda: one-sided, persuasive communication

designed to influence the opinions and behavior of people.

Goals of propaganda

Inspire unity among Americans (the U.S. was 1/3 immigrant at the time)

Crush opposition to the war Vilify the enemy Inspire people to enlist in the

military Contribute to the war effort at

home in other ways

On the following slide, cut and paste your four favorite WWI propaganda images. Use these sites:

http://www.firstworldwar.com/posters/usa.htm http://www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm http://web.uccs.edu/history/student%20presentations/heidi/

world_war_one.htm http://www.archives.state.al.us/teacher/ww1/lesson5/ (scroll to the bottom)