United States History Standard 15:

• Analyze the origins and impact of U.S. involvement in World War I–Describe the movement from U.S. neutrality to

engagement in World War I, with reference to unrestricted submarine warfare– Explain the domestic impact of World War I and

the Great Migration

World War I• World War I began among European

nations in 1914 because of:–Militaries—everyone expanded their

armies & navies so no one would mess with them–Alliances—countries signed treaties

to help each other –Imperialism—industrial nations

competed for the same colonies–Nationalism—Some people wanted

to form new countries

Outbreak of World War IOn June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by members of

a Serbian terrorist group; this led to the outbreak of WWI

Europe before the warEurope during the war

The Western Front

The Eastern Front

WW1 is a two-front war because Germany has to fight the Allies on both sides

The Allied Powers

The Central Powers

New, industrial weapons made this an unexpectedly deadly war which neither side seemed able to win

Both the Allies & Central Powers used total war by converting industrial factories to make war supplies, drafted men to fight, used propaganda, & rationed

necessary goods in order to win

The USA enters WWI• When war was declared in Europe in

1914, President Wilson declared American neutrality; But the USA joined the war in 1917 due to:–German unrestricted submarine

warfare & violation of free trade –Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico–Wilson hoped to “make the world

safe for democracy” • The USA provided badly needed troops

& supplies to the Allies

Germany used “u-boats” to blockade England; sank many American ships

“The Flag of Liberty represents us all”Which groups are these posters targeting? “Emotional” Wartime Propaganda

A Bureaucratic War• To coordinate the war effort, 5,000 new gov’t

agencies were created– War Industries Board (WIB) oversaw all factories,

decided priorities, & fixed prices– Food Admin supplied food to soldiers by appealing

to civilians – Fuel Admin rationed coal & oil– RR Admin, War Shipping Board, & War Trade Board

helped move resources to troops

Imposed “gasless” days & shut down factories for days to divert or conserve fuel

Asked for a spirit of self-sacrifice, imposed “meatless” & “wheatless” days & encouraged

Americans to plant “victory gardens”

New bureaucracies were created to mobilize America for participation in World War 1

Workers in the War• Because America needed more

workers, women were able to better-paying jobs & many Southern blacks moved north for industrial jobs

How was WW1 a “world war”?