World War I

1914-1914-1918:1918:

The The WorldWorldat Warat War

1914-1914-1918:1918:

The The WorldWorldat Warat War

CausesCausesof theof theWarWar

CausesCausesof theof theWarWar

NationalismNationalism•Countries proud of their heritage

and culture•Similar toSimilar to patriotism- with stronger patriotism- with stronger

ethnic and military componentsethnic and military components•Ethnic groups of similar heritage

wanted to free their oppressed brethren and unite their people into

one country•Want to prove military and

cultural supremecy

Aggressive NationalismAggressive Nationalism

The Alliance SystemThe Alliance System

Triple EntenteTriple Entente::Triple EntenteTriple Entente:: Triple AllianceTriple Alliance::Triple AllianceTriple Alliance::

Years of European competition over trade, colonies, allies, and armaments

Germany (Triple Alliance) rivals England (Triple Entente) for world leadership

The Alliance System

The Alliance SystemAlliances of WWITriple Alliance/Central Powers

—Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy. Others eventually joined (ie, Turkey)

Triple Entente/Allied Powers—France, Great Britain, Russia. Others eventually joined.

•Austrian-Hungarian Empire controlled

several ethic groups.

•Serbian nationalists wanted to untie Serbs

who lived in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire with Serbia.

•This led to the assassination of the

Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Saravejo

Europe in 1914Europe in 1914

ImperialismImperialism

•economic and political control over economic and political control over other countries…other countries…

•France, Great Britain, Germany and Russia were establishing colonies in

Africa and Asia

•these countries were in competition for colonies

Cartoon-European grab bag

European nations competing for colonies around the world…..Imperialism

Cartoon-European grab bag

MilitarismMilitarism•Seek to solve problems through

the military

•Compete militarily with other nations

•European nations began an arms race as they competed for

colonies around the world……

Militarism & Arms RaceMilitarism & Arms Race

1870

1880

1890

1900

1910

1914

94 130 154 268 289 398

Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Ger., A-H, It., Fr., Br., Rus.] Powers [Ger., A-H, It., Fr., Br., Rus.]

in millions of £s.in millions of £s.

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures

France 10%

Britain 13%

Russia 39%

Germany 73%

Economic & Imperial Rivalries

Economic & Imperial Rivalries

TheThe

“Spark“Spark””

TheThe

“Spark“Spark””

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family. Archduke was heir to the throne in the Austrian Hungarian

Empire. His assassination June 28, 1914 eventually led to WWI.

Garvillo Princip, a Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke. He was trying to

gain allowances for his fellow Serbs who lived under Austrian rule.

Franz Ferdinand’s funeral

procession

The Assassination: Sarajevo

The Assassination: Sarajevo

Who’s To Blame?Who’s To Blame?

Recruitment PostersRecruitment Posters

Recruits of the Central PowersRecruits of the Central Powers

Austro-Austro-HungariansHungarians

Austro-Austro-HungariansHungarians

A German A German Soldier Says Soldier Says

Farewell to His Farewell to His MotherMother

A German A German Soldier Says Soldier Says

Farewell to His Farewell to His MotherMother

WomenWomenand and thetheWarWar

EffortEffort

WomenWomenand and thetheWarWar

EffortEffort

Financing the WarFinancing the War

For RecruitmentFor Recruitment

Munitions WorkersMunitions Workers

French Women Factory Workers

French Women Factory Workers

German Women Factory Workers

German Women Factory Workers

Working in the FieldsWorking in the Fields

A Woman Ambulance Driver

A Woman Ambulance Driver

Red Cross NursesRed Cross Nurses

Women in the Army Auxiliary

Women in the Army Auxiliary

Posters:Posters:

WartimeWartimePropaganPropagan

dada

Posters:Posters:

WartimeWartimePropaganPropagan

dada

Australian PosterAustralian Poster

American PosterAmerican Poster

Financing the WarFinancing the War

German PosterGerman Poster

The War of The War of thethe

Industrial Industrial Revolution:Revolution:

NewNewTechnologyTechnology

The War of The War of thethe

Industrial Industrial Revolution:Revolution:

NewNewTechnologyTechnology

The AirplaneThe Airplane

The Flying Aces of World War I

The Flying Aces of World War I

Eddie Rickenbacher

, US

FrancescoBarraco, It.

Rene PaukFonck, Fr.

Manfred vonRichtoffen,

Ger.[The “Red Baron”]

Willy Coppens deHolthust,

Belg.

Eddie “Mick”Mannoch, Br.

Looking for the “Red Baron?”

Looking for the “Red Baron?”

French Renault TankFrench Renault Tank

U-BoatsU-Boats

FlameThrowers

FlameThrowers

GrenadeLaunchersGrenade

Launchers

Poison Gas

Poison Gas

Machine Gun

Machine Gun

“Death is everywhere”

Mustard gas– Carried by the wind– Burned out soldier’s lungs– Deadly in the trenches where it

would sit at the bottom of the trench.

The The Western Western Front:Front:

A “War of A “War of

AttritionAttrition””

The The Western Western Front:Front:

A “War of A “War of

AttritionAttrition””

A Multi-Front War

A Multi-Front War

Trench

Warfare

Trench

Warfare

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

““No Man’s No Man’s Land”Land”

““No Man’s No Man’s Land”Land”

Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

The Somme – July, 1916

The Somme – July, 1916

e 60,000 British soldiers killed in one day.

e Over 1,000,000 killed in 5 months.

e 60,000 British soldiers killed in one day.

e Over 1,000,000 killed in 5 months.

War Is HELL !!War Is HELL !!

Sacrifices in WarSacrifices in War

AmericAmericaa

JoinsJoinsthethe

AlliesAllies

AmericAmericaa

JoinsJoinsthethe

AlliesAllies

•Panama Canal was completed in August of 1914 just a week before WWI began in Europe.

•Woodrow Wilson became President in 1912.

•Americans were shocked by the outbreak of war but…it

was in Europe.

•US was officially NEUTRALNEUTRAL

Taking Sides Wilson proclaims neutrality in war (Allies

v. Central Powers); neutrality is not possible1) Ethnic groups in US take sides2) Wilson and his advisers hold pro-Allied

views: see Germany as threat to civilization3) US-England trade (arms, loans) grows; US-

German trade drops; Germany sees US trade with England as unneutral

4) Wilsonianism: set of ideas Wilson assumes will spread if Allies win

Taking Sides (cont.)

US will lead nations toward peaceful world of free trade, capitalism, democracy, open diplomacy, fewer arms, and no empires

Wilson proclaims US destiny is to save the world

Ideals benefit US, mix idealism with realism

Wilson is willing to force ideas on others

US initial reactionsShock- surprised that “civilized”

nations go to general war. Glad that ocean left US in an

isolated position. Felt no danger of being drawn into European war.

Sympathies based on ethnicity– 1/3 of nation were “hyphenated

Americans.” Recent immigrants had emotional ties to homelands.• 8 million German-Americans, for

example.– Old-line Americans supported Allied

Powers (British heritage)• High officers of US government

definitely support Allied Powers.

Neutrality strained Wilson authorized some

extensions of credit to Allies to maintain trade. By 1915, all restrictions lifted on credit. $2B in credit to Allies before war ends. Only $27M to Germany.

•US believed

•It had the right to trade with the warring nationswarring nations

•Warring nations must respect our neutralityneutrality

•in the freedom of the freedom of the seasseas

•German submarine warfare and British blockade violated our neutralityneutrality

Effects of Allied Effects of Allied blockadeblockade

•1914, $70 million in trade with Central powersCentral powers

•1916, trade reduced to $1.3 million

Allied tradeAllied trade •Grew from $825 million to $3.2 billion in same time

period•WWI transformed the US from a debtordebtor to a creditorcreditor

nation

British Violations; German Submarines

Wilson does not want to enter war, but US gets caught in crossfire between belligerents

England violates neutral rights by seizing US cargoes for Germany (takes property)

Germany tries to stop US trade with England via submarines (takes lives)

Wilson demands Germany comply with strict interpretation of international law

Peace Advocates;Unrestricted Sub Warfare

Many groups form, but movement remains splintered

Feb. 1917, Germany takes calculated risk of full sub war (defeat Allies before US entry)

With Zimmerman Telegram, Wilson sees Germany as greater threat to US security

US-Mexican tensions escalate post-1910 Wilson arms US ships without Congress’s

consent

Freedom of Seas–US hoped to maintain.–British first in restricting. Declared whole North Sea a war zone and mined. Would board, search, and seize ships and goods headed for enemy ports.

Neutrality strained

Germans took problems to a new level with submarines (U-Boats)

Area around Great Britain declared a war zone, and merchant ships liable to sinking by U-boats. Since British used neutral flags, then neutral powers were in danger.– No warning, or searches with subs.

New danger to open seas.

Neutrality strained

Neutrality strainedU-Boats (cont’d) While merchant ships the initial

target, passenger ships struck.– May 7, 1915 Lusitania sunk. 128

Americans, and total of 1,198 killed.– US public ourtraged.– Germans said would not sink more

passenger ships.– More passenger ships hit, however.– After sinking of French ship Sussex,

Germany pledged again no more. Sussex Pledge.

•After the sinking of the Lusitania, public opinion

of most Americans was to go to war with Germany.

•Germany promised they would not sink any more

ships unless warning them first and providing

safety for civilians.

•BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of

war” ….

Lusitania

U-BoatsU-Boats

•By 1918, Germans had sunk 6,500 allied ships.

Two typesTwo types•small subs with a crew

of 24

•larger subs with a crew

of 60

•44 total U-Boats by

1918

war zone

Sussex Sunk: led to Sussex Pledge in March

1916. Germany promised not to sink

anymore ships.war zone

X

The effect of the war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do.

Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of

impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned.

The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that there should be the utmost variety of sympathy. Some will wish one nation, others

another, to succeed in the momentous struggle.

I venture, therefore, my fellow countrymen, the United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name,

during these days that are to try men's souls.

War for US beginsWilson wins reelection in 1916. Makes a push

for peace “Peace w/o Victory”: based on consent of

governed, freedom of seas, disarmament, and a international league for peace.

As Wilson makes his push for peace, Germans have already decided to engage in unrestricted sea warfare.– Announced on January 31, 1917.

Zimmerman Telegraph (Note): German foreign secretary said that if war between Germany and US, Germany would support Mexico. Germany would divert US and Mexico could take back territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

March, 1917, Germany sinks 5 American merchant ships.

April 6, 1917, war declared.

zimmerman code

zimmerman cartoon

April 8, 1917, the US declares war on Germany.

The new German policy has swept every restriction aside. Vessels of every kind….have been ruthlessly

sent to the bottom without warning and without thought of help or mercy for those on board….The The present German submarine warpresent German submarine war…..…..is a war against is a war against all nationsall nations….Our motive will not be revengeOur motive will not be revenge or the

victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but on the vindication of right, of human but on the vindication of right, of human

right….right….We are…..the sincere friends of the German

people…..We shall, happily, still have an opportunity to prove that friendship in our daily attitude and actions towards the millions of men

and women of

German birth and native sympathy who live amongst us and share our life…... There are……many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful

people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming

to be in the balance.

But the right is more precious than peaceBut the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always always

carried nearest our hearts……democracycarried nearest our hearts……democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own Governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right…..as shall bring peace and as shall bring peace and

safety to all nations and make the world safe for safety to all nations and make the world safe for democracy.democracy.

To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have,

with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is America is

privileged to spend her blood and her privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her might for the principles that gave her

birth and happiness and the peace birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured.which she has treasured.

I Dare you to come, 1917I Dare you to come, 1917……The Kaiser defies American rights, national honor, freedom of the seas and international law……….

America at war Draft imposed- about 3 million

drafted. About 2 million actually reached Europe before war’s end.

Numbers and enthusiasm of Americans helped turn the tide. Europeans were battle weary.

New weaponry to be used in large scale: poison gas, tanks, machine guns.

Casualties– US casualties: 325,000– Allied total: 18.9 million

General John J. Pershing, commanding general of the AEF. Referred to as the Doughboys and Yanks.

2 million in France by Sept. 1918

Americans in the Trenches

Americans in the Trenches

Americans in the Trenches

Americans in the Trenches

America at warHomefront- War Industries Board: Organized

production for war goods. Allocated resources.

War bonds to finance the war. Huge effort to promote the sales.

Civil Liberties in danger– Anti-immigrant fever– Hamburger becomes “liberty sandwiches”,

and dachshunds become “liberty pups”– Espionage and Sedition Acts: Could be

fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to 20 years for interfering with draft, obstructing sale of bonds, or saying anything disloyal, profane, or abusive about the US, its allies, and war effort.

War to end all wars? Fourteen Points: Wilson’s speech to

address the causes of war, deal with boundary disputes, and support the creation of a League of Nations.– Allies reject his plan- want to make

Germany pay. Treaty of Versailles

– Established nine new nations– Demilitarized Germany– Ordered German reparations– Demilitarization and reparations

damaged Germany economically and humiliated Germany. A problem that helped to cause WWII.

– Established League of Nations

War to end all wars?US rejects the Treaty of Versailles Wilson comes home from Paris w/ treaty,

but Congress and US is in an isolationist mood.

Wilson fights for the treaty and the league,

Some in Senate are “irreconcilables” and will not accept League at all.

Others are willing to consider League with adjustments so that US is not pulled into war in future.

Wilson will not try to accommodate Senate fails to ratify. Wilson suffers

stroke and suffers political defeat.

CostsCostsof theof theWarWar

CostsCostsof theof theWarWar

11 a.m., November 11, 1918

11 a.m., November 11, 1918

1918 Flu Pandemic: Depletes All Armies

1918 Flu Pandemic: Depletes All Armies

50,000,000 – 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 died100,000,000 died

50,000,000 – 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 died100,000,000 died

9,000,0009,000,000 DeadDead9,000,0009,000,000 DeadDead

The Somme American Cemetary, France

The Somme American Cemetary, France

116,516 Americans Died116,516 Americans Died116,516 Americans Died116,516 Americans Died