APUSH Talking Points 16.2The War to End all Wars

 

AP Focus: Entering World War I in response to Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare, Wilson turned America’s participation into a fervent ideological crusade for democracy that successfully stirred the public to a great voluntary war effort, but at some cost to traditional civil liberties.

How and why did the conflict get started in Europe – remember Global Studies? For several years there had been growing nationalism and competition in Europe – a jostling for power and position. Rivalries were playing out over the acquisition of colonies and overseas territories. 

  Long Terms Causes (Currents) M ilitarism (arms race; proliferation) Mahan – to be a world power you had to have a strong Navy to establish and protect military and commercial interests). European countries building bigger and better Navy’s and building stronger armies

 Alliances and the Balance of Power – Nations for rivalries and a series of interlocking alliances to offset the power of each other; general balance of power so one country isn’t running the show World War I Alliances

I mperialism – Countries taking over weaker, less developed countries

Nationalism – German is knit together out of nationalist sentiments in 1870   Desire for self-determination (Philippines, Cuba etc). Nations trying to be the most dominant and awakening Asian power (mainly Japan) trying to position themselves in this power structure.  

 

   

Immediate Causes of the Great WarThe political assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (heir to the throne of the Austria-Hungarian empire) by a Serbian nationalist who wants independence/autonomy – remember Cuba? remember the Philippines?  

The balance of power becomes unbalanced… 

 1. Austria- Hungary moves into Serbia to punish this action (assassination of Archduke Ferdinand)2. Russia comes in to defend Serbia3. Germany comes in on the side of Austria Hungary4. France comes in on the side of Russia5. England comes in on the side of Russia6. Italy joins on the side of Russia and Serbia because it’s promised land   

   

The US declares neutrality at the outbreak of war – S.A.F.E 

  World War I is the first modern war it looks like what we think of war today -  airplanes, tanks, poison gas, and an incredible loss of life (total war).  Trench Warfare - mud  - dead bodies  - hell on earth.  Massive loss of life and massive slaughter but not a lot of territorial gains and not a lot of movement. 

  WHY DID THE US JOIN THE WAR EFFORT?Our neutrality had been challenged from beginning because of our innate sympathy toward the allied side – Britain and France (remember 1776) The Allied power represents the forces of civilization vs. the forces of darkness. Propaganda is employed as the US begins to drift away from isolation and neutrality. Trade ties create a further problem because the US is selling war goods and supplies. Germans are using u-boats to break the naval blockade. Technology is changing the face of war!!!  

    1915 Germans sink the Lusitania 1,200 dead (128 Americans) – causes more outrage in the US; Wilson negotiates agreement not to sink US vessels.  Sub Warfare  

 “ War is evil and the U.S. should set an example of peace in the world.” William Jennings Bryan (remember Bryan from the election of 1896?) (Secretary of State) resigns WHY? He senses a tilt towards war and the false policy of neutrality – if you are really neutral you can ask Germans to stop shooting ships, you halt trade and travel  

THE ELECTION of 1916 Wilson runs and wins a second term and wins on a “He

kept us out of the war!” Peace platform 

  

 The Zimmerman Note

intercepted by Britain January of 1917   

 Zimmerman Note/telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, and intercepted diplomatic communication intercepted by Britain January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram WHAT DID IT SAY? German offers Mexico land lost in 1845 (California, New Mexico, Arizona).  

  

The American press published news of the telegram on March 1, 1917  

  

Reactions to Zimmerman noteMexico – outraged: Wilson has been sending US troops across the border intervening in a Civil War in Mexico. Mexican raiders have been crossing the border in retaliation Wilson’s troops movement. 

  Poncho Villa is principally remembered for his 1916 raid on Columbus, New Mexico, that provoked the Punitive Expedition commanded by General John J. Pershing, although the raid itself was a fairly minor event in Villa's military campaign history. 

April 2, 1917  “The world must be made safe for democracy”

(Video Clip 3:41) 

April 2, 1917 “the world must be made safe for democracy” and idealistic quest not motivated by self-interest? Forces of democracy and civilization vs. evil 

 Mobilization and Propaganda2 million solders will be sent “over there” into a war that ha been raging for three years and they tip the battles..  

PBS The Great War  http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/maps_outbreak.html 

 The Century America's Time: Shell Shocked

   http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/ww1posters