The United States Enters the First World War

Background for War

1. Triple Alliance:
Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy
Began in 1882
2. Triple Entente:
France, Great Britain, Russia (1907)
The system of alliances played an important part in turning the assassination into war

Nationalism in Europe was strong

Imperialists rivalries threatened peace in Europe

Assassination
June 28th, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was
assassinated in Sarajevo
Killer: Gavrilo Princip; A Serbian Nationalist
Mobilization and invasion of Belgium
Central Powers: Austria-Hungary and Germany
o anticipated swift victory
o Marched through Belgium to France; August 3rd invasion

200,000 Belgium troops couldn't stop Germany, but did slow them as the other allies
mobilized
Eastern and Western battlefronts - Opposing armies dug trenches from which to fire on
the enemy lines
o Most extensive trench warfare took place in France
American Neutrality
Proclamation of Neutrality
Wilson- Thought the Allies could win without U.S. involvement
The U.S. adopted a Neutral position
Americans had a tough time remaining uninvolved
Propaganda
Both sides used propaganda to try to influence public opinion
Most major American papers backed the Allies
Immigrant papers - Supported Central Powers
Allied Propaganda - Had greatest impact
Germans were portrayed as the aggressors
New German Weapons: Submarine and Poison gas
Economic Ties
Economic ties to the Allies made strict neutrality impossible
Military orders from the Allies created an economic boom

 Trade with Allies grew; $500 million in 1914, $3.5 billion in 1917
British set up a naval blockade to keep military contraband from reaching Germany
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
1914- 1915 - German submarines began attacking Allied ships
International Law- Required ships to warn that it was about to sink an enemy vessel
o Subs could do this
1915- Germans- Ships risked attack in war zone around Britain
May 1915- Lusitania - British passenger ship; torpedoed and sunk - 1200 dead, 128
Americans
Pressures for preparedness
Sussex Pledge- Germany promised, with certain conditions, to sink no more merchant
ships without warning
Roosevelt criticized Wilson for not preparing for war
o Resisted building up military
1916- Could not ignore the possibility of war- Doubled army, built a larger navy.
1.) Shipping - subs were sinking our ships
2.) We lend money out to other allied countries, if they lose, it will be more difficult for
them to pay us back we want them to win bc we want our money
Election of 1916
Nation favored peace
Republican nominee: Charles Evans Hughes
Labeled as a war candidate by democrats
Democrat nominee; Woodrow Wilson
Democrats portrayed Wilson as the man who would keep the U.S. out of war
Wilson won the close election
Renewed effort at Mediation
1917- Germany unleashed its submarines to sink ALL ships in the war zone
Wilson then broke off relations with Germany
Zimmerman Telegram - Germany was trying to lure Mexico and Japan to its side
o Mexico may gain land back from the U.S.
April 6, 1917- U.S. declared war on Germany (added fire for us to start war, not part of
Zimmerman)
American Participation
By June 5th. 1917, almost 10 million men between the ages of 21-31 had registered for
the war
American Mobilization:
America was caught short on supplies
Needed to make adjustments to prepare
When you got involved of something of this magnitude, it changed your life. The way
that you went about your work, a lot of what you had available to you just simply wasn't
there. This is unique to the time frame.

Wartime Agencies:
1. War Industries Board (WIB)
Spur production and coordinate war industries
Similar efforts brought order to the shipping and railroad industries
Led by Bernard Baruch - Prepared industry
Bernard Baruch had a background on wall street, was known as being a well-organized
individual; he was going to take on this huge role.
2. Food Administration
Increasing American food production became a top priority
The country came together to raise the food
Victory gardens - Promoted by Hoover
Wheat, Pork, and Sugar were top priorities
3. Committee on Public Information (CPI)
150,000 citizens lecturers
Said the war was fought for freedom and democracy
Helped spur the sale of Liberty Bonds
American Preperation
2 million soldiers were sent to France
Slow mobilization: fewer than 300,000 fighting troops within a year
The U.S. used convoys to get ships safely to Europe
The American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force (AEF) - American troops involved in WWI - Led by
General John J. Pershing
Wanted to keep U.S. troops together
Russia - Drops out of the war - 1917
Battle of Belleau Woods - US troops distinguished themselves
o Stopped the Germans, drove them back, and broke through the line
Battle of the Argonne Forest - Massive American counterattack
Allies pressed on to victory - Nov. 11, 1918
American troops and supplies helped turn the tide of battle
Wilsons Fourteen Points
WIlsons proposal for peace in World War I
First Five Points: Open treaties, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction, and
important adjustment of colonial claims
Points Six- Thirteen: National self- determination and realignment of borders
Point Fourteen: An establishment of an international organization (The League of
Nations) to settle disputes between nations and prevent future wars.
Peacemaking
Big Four
o Leaders of United States, Great Britain, France, Italy
o Dominated the peace negotiations at Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations
European Leaders - Wanted the treaty to be more selfish and vengeful

 Wilson wanted the treaty to be more just and noble

Victors - Received land in secret treaty
The U.S. Senate and the Trea
The U.S. did not accept the Versailles treaty
The U.S. Senate most strongly opposed setting up the League of Nations
U.S. - Never joined the League of Nations
Extra Notes
Lead food administration- Hoover

War industries board- Bernard Baruch