Download Unit 5 - Progressive Era

Unit 5b - Progressive Era
(1900-1920)
WWI
VI) The U.S. in “The Great War” (I)
A) Causes – the “Isms”
1) Militarism, Nationalism, Imperialism,
Secret Alliances. (Triple Entente/Central)
2) USW – Unrestricted Submarine Warfare.
Sinking numerous merchant vessels:
Lusitania, Sussex.
3) “Powder Keg” due to alliances. Archduke
Franz Ferdinand the spark in 1914.
B) U.S. Involvement: - Wilson “Kept us out of
War.” for 3 years; but financial and cultural
pressures eventually forced us in.
Imperialism in Practice:
1) Why U.S. joins “War to End all Wars”:
a) Trade – connections with Britain, France
b) U.S.W. – Sussex Pledge broken
c) Propaganda – manipulation of public
opinion against German “huns.” (despite
over 6,000,000 Ger-Am). Became a war of
“Democracy vs. Monarchy”
d) Zimmerman Telegram – early use of
spy/intelligence network. Brits uncover a
plot to involve the Mexicans against the U.S.
e) Bolshevik Revolution – to inspire
Democratic Reform. Fails…
Modern Advancements in Warfare
• “Intelligence” – Code:
• Please solve for the following:
7/15 20/15
2/1/19/5/12/9/1
Code Breaking Experiment:
2004 – Quinn Agen
2) The War at Home:
a) Establishes Selective Service Act for ages 1845. Now?
b) Great Migration – of af-am to northern
cities/factories…Baltimore, Phil., NYC
c) War Industries/Labor Boards organized
to prevent strikes and coordinate War effort
d) Food – production triples due to demand…
e) Espionage and Sedition Acts – curtail some
rights for common good. (Schenk, Debbs)
f) “Moral Diplomacy” prevents sabotage/strikes
3) U.S. at War
• U.S. “Doughboys” turn the tide in 1917
• 116,000 die. Millions die in Europe.
• General John Black Jack Pershing and the A.E.F.
• Numerous Innovations:
a) Poison Gas (Mustard) – a new face of war.
b) Trench Warfare - insanity
c) Rations – cigs and salt?
d) Air – though underutilized/appreciated
e) 1st Generation Tanks
f) U-Boats/Convoy System
g) Mortar Shells
h) “Gatlin” Machine Gun
i) Convoy System
C) German’s Sue for Peace 11/11/1918
1) Wilson’s 14 Points – a plan for “lasting”
peace. Is met with widespread praise in
Europe.
- Freedom of Seas/Trade
- No Secret Alliances
- Arms Reduction
- Self-Determination – boundaries
- *League of Nations* – early version of U.N.
to prevent future wars.
- *War Reparations and Guilt*
SEEDS OF WWII PLANTED!
Boundary Changes Before/During/After War
2) U.S. Rejects League – checks/balances
• Senator Henry Cabot Lodge leads
opposition to Wilson.
• Why?
–Desire for a return to Isolation
–Snubbed by Wilson in Europe
–Wilson has stroke; cannot “sell” plan to
public.
D) Results of the War
• U.S. becomes a reluctant world power.
Desires a return to “Normalcy”
• Germany forced to accept blame and
democratic reform (Weimer Rupublic) that
would be short-lived.
• European powers use less oversight during
the 20’s and allow German steps for rearmament…rise of 3rd Reich and Hitler.