Woodrow Wilson

and World War I

By: Mr. Mitchell

Wilson’s Reforms

Sixteenth Amendment legalizes graduated federal income tax

Federal Reserve System—private banking system under federal control› Nation divided into 12

districts; central bank in each district (Atlanta has one)

World War I major causes (M.A.I.N)

Military Size (Militarism)› Many powerful countries building up their armies, in

case of war. Alliances

› Countries agreeing to support others in case of war. › This is a major reason why the war escalated so

quickly. Imperialism

› European and Asian nations wanted to expand their influences around the world.

Nationalism › Countries acting on their own self-interests.

Events in Europe Austria-Hungry

annexes Bosnia

A group called the Black Hand wants to see Bosnia and Serbia join together. › Black Hand starts to

plan the assassination of heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand.

Events in Europe…again July 28, 1914- Austria

Hungary declares war on Serbia› Russia comes in as Serbia’s

ally.› Germany declares war on

Russia.› France enters as Russia’s ally.› Germany decides to wipe out

France first, so they go through Belgium, which brings Britain into the war.

Within one week all major European powers were involved in the war.

Trench Warfare

Soldiers fight in trenches for days

Area between trenches called “no-man’s land”

Trench foot

Infection caused by cold and unsanitary conditions.

Men stood in waterlogged trenches.

Only treatment was to apply whale oil and dry feet as much as possible.

British HowitzerEarly Tank

Red Baron

Machine Gun

More Pictures

British tank crossing a trench Plane used in WWI

U.S. Submarines USS South Carolina

German U-Boats

U-Boats were German submarines used in naval warfare during WWI.

U-boats sinks the Lusitania. › The sinking of this

ship is ONE of the reasons the US gets involved in WWI.

US gets involved Zimmerman Note

› Germany promises Mexico their lost lands such as Texas if they will fight the USA

US declares war in April 1917› Wilson wished for US to

remain neutral, but the actions of the Zimmerman Note and the sinking of the Lusitania

End of WWI War comes to an end with in Nov.

1918 when an armistice (cease fire) is finally ordered by the Allies.

Fourteen Points- Wilson’s plan for post WWI peace in Europe.

League of Nations- Wilson’s plan for an organization of nations to ensure world peace. › Said that an attack on one, was an

attack on all. Versailles Treaty- Peace treaty

signed with Germany to end the WWI. (U.S. did not sign)

Post WWI Selective Service Act- drafting of young men

to the military to fight in WWI. Used a lottery to pick.

Espionage Act- banned printed materials objecting to the war. Also enacted penalties for speaking out against the war, etc. $ or prison.

Great Migration- Movement of large number of African Americans from the rural south to the industrial north to find jobs during the war.

Red Scare- A wave of widespread fear of communist. › Palmer Raids- Police arrested thousands of

suspected communist or immigrants.

Eugene Debs

Well known SOCIALIST presidential candidate (Socialist Party)› Opposed US

involvement in WWI

› Thrown in jail for his opposition.

› Disliked by Wilson

Amendments passed

18th Amendment passed in October 1919› Prohibition of alcohol

Included production, consumption, and sales

19th Amendment passed in May 1919. › Gives women the right to

vote

Sedition Acts: speaking out against war-time government illegal.

Demobilization: army standing down after fighting. › Soldiers coming back home

Schenk vs United States

Court case over the Espionage Act› Oliver Wendell Holmes, a socialist, was

printing pamphlets telling young men to skip the draft.

› US Supreme Court declares that Holmes presented a ‘Clear and Present danger” This means that even though Holmes had

Freedom of Speech, what he said was a “clear and present danger” to the war-time government