World War ITOPIC 13

The Road to war The Domino Effect and European nations

6/28/1914 – Archduke of France assassinated

Triple Entente and Triple Alliance

Neutrality as the Standard Americans proud of neutrality, but often supported one side or the other.

◦ Tradition, culture, and history◦ Trade relationships

War at sea is the biggest issue. ◦ British and German practices hurt American business. ◦ U-boats and the Lusitania

Reelecting Wilson Wilson endeared himself to the American public

◦ “He kept us out of war.”

Election of 1916◦ Wilson reelected by slight margin.

Wilson sought mediation between the British and Germans

◦ January 22, 1917: Plan for “Peace without victory”

American entrance into the Great War

January 1917 – Germans announce renewed use of unrestricted submarine warfare

◦ A gamble!

April 2, 1917 – speech before Congress requesting a declaration of war on Germany and her allies.

◦ America would help “make the world safe for democracy.”

Declaration made ◦ 82-6 Senate; 373 – 50 House

Over there Use of propaganda to drum up support and military registration in order to avoid the draft.

Economic preparation ◦ Council of National Defense◦ War Industries Board◦ Fuel and Food Administrations

Conditions in Europe continue to deteriorate

US goes to War – Doughboys / AEF

Over There

Life in the Trenches

Offenses at the Somme and Marne rivers

Final Allied offensive – July 1918

Final battle – September 26 – Meuse River and Argonne Forest

War ends November 1918.

Over here Investment in the war effort

◦ Liberty bonds, patriotic songs, and taxes on liquor, luxuries, and real estate

Committee on Public Information – produce and control information

Patriotism vs. distrust◦ Demonization of Germans◦ The Espionage Act and Sedition Amendment◦ Quash dissent◦ Growing fear of communism

A Peace without victors Wilson’s 14 points

Hoping to create a democratic world order

8 dealt with territorial settlements

1 dealt with colonies

5 goals of a free world without war

1) Freedom of the seas

2) Free trade

3) Reduced armaments

4) Openly negotiated treaties

5) League of Nations

Peace without victors Peace conference in Versailles

◦ The “Big Four”

Harsh settlement for Germany◦ War reparations ◦ Reduced army◦ Demilitarized zone◦ Acceptance of sole responsibility for the war

Wilson did influence treaty negotiations◦ Focused on League of Nations

Wilson’s incapacitation due to stroke in 1919

Changing trends in WWI Expanded American industry, higher wages.

Agricultural markets established new overseas markets

Increased emigration for African-Americans◦ Equality in Europe but not at home?

Suffrage movement ◦ 19th amendment◦ Women in armed forces during the war◦ No permanent change in society

Health care

Progressivism

Women and Feminism in the early 20th century

Foundations of suffrage ◦ Reform movements◦ Seneca Falls Convention◦ Annual Conventions in the 1850s

Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution caused a split in the women’s movement in 1869.

1869 – A split in the Women’s Movement The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) ◦ led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B.

Anthony◦ Opposed the 15th Amendment.

The American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA)

◦ 15th Amendment as a step in the right direction ◦ Led by Julia Ward Howe and Lucy Stone

Three main feminist movements: 1870s-1919

From the 1870s until World War I, many feminists became more conservative in their views and goals.

Three major groups of reformers:

1. The Suffragists

2. The Social Feminists

3. The Radical Feminists

The 19th Amendment

In 1919, 19th Amendment passed by Congress under urging from President Wilson.

◦ All states ratified it in 1920.

What happened to feminism?

Three discoveries◦ No “women’s vote”◦ No reason for unity◦ Younger women focused on rebellion