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