The Great War

1. The Great War

2. Nationalism #1 - Devotion to the culture and interests of one’s own nation – Russia, under the leadership of Czar Nicholas II, felt the need to protect the interests of all Slavic people

3. Imperialism #2 – Empire building led to competition among countries for colonies and markets -Countries had to show their power and economic might by spreading out! - Germany, under the leadership of Kaiser Wilhelm II, felt the need to compete with Great Britain and France particularly.

4. Militarism #3 – The development of armed forces to use as a tool of diplomacy - Countries like Germany beefed up their military to be stronger than any potential enemy, and so they could compete for empires more successfully

5. The Alliance System #4 – The Triple Entente (France, Britain, and Russia) vs. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). -Alliances provided a measure of international security – nations were reluctant to disturb the balance of power – until they all got sucked into war

6. Changing Sides • Central Powers • As the war gets under way, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria join in on the side of Germany, creating the Central Powers. Italy, not wanting to get involved, leaves the alliance. • Allied Powers • Italy is promised land they had lost to Austria-Hungary, if they join the war on the allied side, which they do, along with other countries like Romania, Greece, and Montenegro, effectively surrounding the Central Powers.

7. The United States • United States tried to keep a policy of Isolationism – opposition to political and economic entanglements with other countries • Things such as the Zimmerman Note, German u-boat activity, and the overthrow of the Russian monarchy changed our minds

8. Total War • War that targets the entire social and economic infrastructure of a state and kills civilians indiscriminately • When British blockaded Germany, causing starvation of Germans, and Germany retaliated by sinking all ships in British waters, it became TOTAL WAR

9. America Mobilizes • US didn’t have the military forces they needed, so Congress passed the Selective Service Act • Men had to register with the government to be randomly selected for military service • 24 million men registered, nearly 3 million were called up • War Industries Board was created as well to regulate industries – telling corporations how much to produce, where to sent it, and how much it should cost.

10. Mobilization included more than 400,000 African Americans, who were segregated in non-combat white units, or put into entirely African-American units • Women joined the Army Corps of Nurses, with no benefits, or joined the Navy and Marines as administrative personnel

11. Mass Production • The US needed to find a way to get mass amounts of men, food, and equipment over thousands of miles of German u-boat infested waters - The Convoy System was created, which was a fleet of destroyers sent to escort merchant ships safely to ports

12. The government exempted shipyard workers from the draft • They started a public relations campaign about the importance of shipyard work • Shipyards used new fabrication techniques to built ships faster • Government took over commercial and private ships for war use

13. New Technologies - Machine guns were refined to shoot 600 rounds per minute • Tanks ran on caterpillar treads and were made of steel so bullets bounced off • Airplanes gathered information, then were fitted with mounted machine guns for air combats or “dogfights” • Submarines used their torpedoes, which were several times more destructive than any artillery

14. The Trench System

15. Hazards of War • Filth, lice, rats and polluted water caused dysentery • Inhalation of poisoned gas – chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas • Battle fatigue, or “shell shock” led to emotional collapses • Trench foot

16. Mustard Gas. Unlike the other gases which attack the respiratory system, this gas acts on any exposed, moist skin. This includes, but is not limited to, the eyes, lungs, armpits and groin. A gas mask could offer very little protection. The oily agent would produce large burn-like blisters wherever it came in contact with skin. It also had a nasty way of hanging about in low areas for hours, even days, after being dispersed.

17. Gen. John J. Pershing • Pershing led the American Expeditionary Force, changing the tide of the war from Allies on the defensive, to Allies on the offense. • The captured important enemy positions and stopped German advances • Pershing was made General of the Armies of the United States

18. US at Home, Preparation • Business and government collaborated in order to meet the challenge of shifting the economy to focus on war • The Presidents powers expanded, giving him direct control over the economy, such as regulating and fixing prices, and nationalizing industries

19. The American People • Americans helped by rationing their food intakes • Wages rose, though prices rose quicker • People planted “victory gardens” and farmers put 40 million more acres of land into production

20. Selling the War • The government set up a commission to popularize the war through “propaganda” • The promotion of patriotism inflamed hatred and violations of civil liberties of those of certain ethnic groups, or those who opposed the war

21. Espionage and Sedition Acts • June 1917-May 1918, Congress passed Espionage and Sedition Acts, making it illegal to interfere with the war effort, say anything disloyal, profane or abusive about the government or the war effort. • Conscientious Objectors, those opposing war on moral grounds, were persecuted along with others

22. Great Migration • During this time period, hundreds of thousands of blacks migrated north: • To escape discrimination in the South • Southern cotton fields had been destroyed by boll weevil infest • More jobs in North due to war

23. Women in the War • Women were able to hold jobs previously held exclusively by men: • Bricklayers • Dockworkers • Railroad workers Women also were active in the peace movement , and Red Cross

24. The Flu Epidemic • Fall 1918, a flu epidemic spread through the US, affecting more than ¼ of the population • Troops spread the disease overseas, creating an international epidemic • Believed that 30 million people worldwide died from the disease (500,000 Americans)

25. The Tides Turn in Europe • In 1917 Russia pulled out of the war to deal with internal conflicts • Germans shifted all troops to battle in France – but the Americans arrived just in time to stop the German advances

26. November 3, 1918, Austria-Hungary surrenders to the Allies • The same day, German sailors mutinied against their government, which spread throughout their country • By November 9, socialist leaders took over the capital, establishing a republic, and the Kaiser gave up his throne

27. Armistice • Germans, though not defeated in battle, were too tired to keep fighting • November 11, 1918, Germany agreed to a cease fire and signed an armistice, or treaty to end the war.

28. The Final Tolls • Total WWI deaths – 22 million, more than half of which were civilians • Direct economic costs $33.8 billion • US lost 48,000 in battle, 62,000 to disease, and 200,000 were wounded