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World War One
America’s Entry Into
War
Deteriorating German/American
relations:
U-Boat activity
Statements by Kaiser
Wilhelm II
treatment of Belgium
impact of propaganda
America sympathizes with
Allies; not ready to enter war
The Zimmermann Note
Telegram sent from German
ambassador to MX; proposes
alliance against US
Denied by both Ger. and MX;
discovered by British agents
Impact:
Germans break the Sussex
Pledge, resume sinking ships
without warning
German Ambassador
Arthur Zimmermann
Final breaking point with
Germany; Kaiser prepares
for war with America
America Declares War (April 2, 1917)
US formally breaks relations after 6 US ships
sunk, with over 200 casualties. Also Britain
and France appeal to Wilson for help
America Prepares for War
Wilson reorganizes American
society for war; greatest
degree of govt. control in
history.
Attempts to sell war as a “war
to end all wars” and to
“make the world safe for
democracy”.
Makes war a “moral crusade”;
ex. The Fourteen Points
The Fourteen Points (Jan., 1918)
Wilson’s goals for the war:
“freedom of the seas” – no Uboats or blockades
“reduction of worldwide trade
barriers” – increases economic
alliances
“self-determination for imperial
holdings” – colonies should
govern themselves
“self-determination for AustriaHungary”
no secret treaties
re-creation of Poland
arms and naval limitations
Copy of Wilson’s
speech on the 14 Points
The League of
Nations
The 14th and most
important Point;
Wilson sacrifices all
else for “an
association of
nations” for
“collective security”;
a multinational
alliance between
nations
US Prepares for War
Government organizes
propaganda campaign to
generate support for the
war
Committee on Public
Information – designed to
give “news” on info on the
war
Use of propaganda; control
of news media
Use of Propaganda Films
Use of the new film industry to promote the
war; both newsreels and Hollywood movies
used
George Creel
The Espionage and Sedition Acts
Meant to suppress anti-war efforts or speeches
Acts deemed as “un-American” could mean jail
or deportation, suspended First Amendment
Eugene Debs arrested, sentenced to life in
prison, later pardoned by Pres. Harding
The War Industries Board
An attempt to put US economy
toward a war basis
All production toward war effort
Wages, prices and production
controlled by Board
Led by Bernard Baruch
The War Industries Board
Use of women in war
factories
Led to passage of 19th
Amendment
Women also used to sell
the war and sell bonds
The Food Administration
Organized food conservation
efforts and the planting of
“liberty gardens”
The Food
Administration
Relied on appeals and propaganda campaigns
Cigarettes Win the War!
Paying for the War
War financed through borrowing
(the “liberty bond”)
Sold billions of $$
Use of celebrities
The Draft
4 million drafted; 2 mil. sent to combat; poorly
trained; lack of equipment, officers