Texas During World War 1 Essential Question: Explain the political, economic, and social impact of World War 1 upon Texas.

Texas During World War 1

Essential Question: Explain the political, economic, and social impact

of World War 1 upon Texas

How did WWI start?Assassination:A leading cause of the great war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary

Nationalism:Much of the origin of the war was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria-Hungary but instead be part of Serbia.

Imperialism:Before World War 1, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention (argument) amongst the European countries. This was especially true because of the raw materials these areas could provide. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I.

Mutual defense alliances:-Russia and Serbia-Germany and Austria-Hungary-France and Russia-Britain and France and Belgium-Japan and Britain

MilitarismAs the world entered the 20th century, an arms race had begun. By 1914, Germany had the greatest increase in military buildup. Great Britain and Germany both greatly increased their navies in this time period.

http://americanhistory.about.com

World War I• 1914 – World War I began,

but the U.S. remained neutral (stayed out of the war).

• 1915 - German submarines sank ship (the British ocean liner Lusitania) carrying American and British passengers. Nearly 1200 people died; the event angered the U.S. and becomes one of the main reasons why we entered the war.

The Zimmermann Telegram

• In January 1917, German diplomat, Arthur Zimmermann, sent a secret-code telegram to Mexico.

• In telegram, Germany promised to help Mexico regain its “lost territories” of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico in exchange for its support.

• The U.S. intercepts the message and is furious!

• In April, President Woodrow Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany!

Texas and World War I• About 200,000 U.S. troops are Texans. 25% are

African Americans. • 5,000 Texans die in the “Great War”.• 500 women serve as aides/nurses• Texas is excellent for training troops

because of wide open spaces and many connecting railroad networks.

• Training camps include: Kelly Field in San Antonio – world’s largest

flight training school Camp Logan near Houston Other camps near Waco, San Antonio, and Ft. Worth

Texas Soldiers in the War

The War caused significant changes for Texas soldiers.•many got health and dental care for the first time.•many had never before traveled outside of Texas.•many received more education and specialized training.

Texans Support the War at Home

Texans encouraged to “Do your bit” at home to support troops by:•buying war bonds and liberty loans•buying war stamps•giving to and volunteering for the Red Cross•ration food/supplies

Wartime Prosperity in TexasBusinesses, industries, farmers, and ranchers prospered during the War because they produced many things for the troops.

Items included:

•cotton and wool = tents, uniforms

•leather = boots

•cattle meat/grain = food supplies

•oil industry = gas, lubricants for machinery

•lumber industry = shipping crates, splints, etc.

Results of WWI-Deaths: 116,526 (U.S.)

-The Allied Powers (U.S., Britain, France, Italy, Japan) defeated the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire) after four long years of fighting (1914-1918).

-A League of Nations was formed to help prevent a future world war (which failed). The United Nations after WWII succeeded.

-Independent republics of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Turkey were formed.

-The Communist Bolsheviks took power in Russia in 1917 and formed the Soviet Union.

"The Americans who went to Europe to die are a unique breed.... (They) crossed the seas to a foreign land to fight for a cause which they did not pretend was peculiarly their own, which they knew was the cause of humanity and mankind. These Americans gave the greatest of all gifts, the gift of life and the gift of spirit."

- Woodrow Wilson President of the United States 1913 to 1921

Post-War Changes

The KKK Rises Politically• The Ku Klux Klan was a secret anti-minority

organization formed during Reconstruction; very resistant to ongoing changes in society

• Used violence against victims (African Americans, Jews, Catholics)

• 1920s – very influential in Texas politics (Democrats); accepted socially

• Many Texans fed up with Klan’s violence and elected anti-Klan Miriam “Ma” Ferguson as Governor. First woman to be elected Governor in Texas! Dan Moody (also anti-Klan) followed as Governor.

KKK Washington D.C. March in 1925

Urban Texas

• 1920s - Texas changed from a rural, agricultural state to an urban one in which people had more leisure time.

• Most homes now had:

* electricity, phone service

* refrigerators, electric appliances

* washing machines, irons, vacuums• Cities experienced population boom

Houston 1928 – looking Northwest

Houston – Main Street @ Texas Avenue – late 1920s

San Jacinto High School vs. Reagan High School Football Game - 1928

Women and Equality

• 1920s – living, working conditions improved for most white women in Texas; more women joined the workforce.

• Limited jobs, opportunities remained for African and Mexican American women.

• More women entered politics now. Jane McCallum held powerful posts in Democratic Party and was Texas Secretary of State under 2 governors.

20th Century Immigration

1) Generally, most immigrants came to Texas for:

a. Job opportunitiesb. Education (college,

university)2) Eastern Europeans:

a. Jobsb. Escape religious

persecutionc. Settled in same

locations as earlier Europeans, major urban areas

20th Century Immigration

3) Latin Americansa. Jobs, escape economic

depression/poor economies

b. Escape political revolutions

c. Settled in major urban areas

4) The workforce grew in Texas because of many new jobs that were created; this was a major economic factor that led to the urbanization of Texas.

Jobs and Occupations in 20th Century Texas

1) Cattle ranching, farming, agricultural jobs decreased because of new technologies and changing demands of populations.

2) Oil and gas industry jobs increased because of changes/growth in transportation and products made from petroleum. Most products today are made from a byproduct of petroleum.

Jobs and Occupations in 20th Century Texas

3) More people migrated from rural to urban areas for jobs in oil and gas

industry.

4) Service industry jobs increased because more people were living in urban areas.