PROGRESSIVES GO TO WAR!

1. PROGRESSIVES GO TO WAR! THE WORLD WAR I ERA SELECTED TOPICS A22w 9.2.13

3. World War I • Wilson’s idealistic and progressive (active pursuit of democracy and justice) goals and actions during World War I. • reluctance to enter war and insistence on neutrality rights • Why? Public opinion? Business opportunities? Mediator? Divided nation?

4. Hy • Continued insistence on rights of neutral to trade (strict accountability) eventual Arabic and Sussex pledges) • 1917 – “peace without victory” • Pledge that war effort was to “make the world safe for democracy,” not conquest; initial resistance to war guilt. • Understanding that US would need to be involved to ensure a “progressive peace” • 1/8/18 – 14 Points: abolish secret treaties, freedom of the seas, free trade, liberate colonies, self-determination for minority groups in Europe, League of Nations to defend the independence and territorial integrity of all.

5. THE ROAD TO WAR • Not business profits! • Unrestricted submarine warfare (1917) • Zimmerman telegram • Russian Revolution (1917) • “The world must be made safe for democracy” (April 2, 1917) Wilson announcing the breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany, Feb. 3, 1917 U.S. Losses to the German Submarine Campaign, 1916-1918 German Foreign Minister Alfred Zimmermann

6. American participation in the war was controversial.

7. Divided before war – strongest opposition in the midwest • War opposition: 50 congressmen voted against war, socialists, Jane Addams and Woman’s Peace party, especially in the west (isolationism?) • Need for Creel Committee – speeches, propaganda for war bonds, enlistment, and voluntary sacrifices, films • Need for draft (but no substitution this time, still 1% of men avoided draft) – 3 million draftees served. • Interestingly 50% of whites and 90% of blacks scored at the moron level of IQ test.

8. Important social changes were encouraged by the war.

9. 1M Blacks moved north in GREAT MIGRATION to work in war industries and escape conditions in the south. Agents of northern manufacturers  race riots in East St. Louis and Chicago and Harlem Renaissance • Still segregated units. Still great opposition in the south to black soldiers • Promoted greater drive for equality. “we return fighting” (WEB DuBois) • Workers made gains – wages up 20%, eight hour day • Women worked briefly in industry but “encouraged” to leave jobs afterwards • Passage of 19th Amendment • Increased demands for voting rights (references to Kaiser Wilson) • Suffrage promoted as a war measure (to encourage women to work)

10. Economy & Society: African-Americans • “Great Migration” – impact? African American family just arrived in Chicago, 1912 (Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library) African American Migration Northward, 1910-1920

11. Although World War I was fought to promote democratic ideals, democratic ideals were not safe at home.

12. Anti-German hysteria – opposition to German music, language, books, food! • Robert Prager hanged in Illinois “… argumentative… given to socialist doctrines… he looked like a spy”– mob leaders exonerated. • Near lynching of a Polish man who tore down a Liberty Bond poster • Espionage Act of 1917 and Sedition Act of 1918 “any disloyal, profane, scurrilous or abusive language about flag, constitution, government, the military  1900 prosecutions • Debbs – 20 years • Other unions especially IWW targeted. • Schenk v. US: free speech can be revoked when there is a clear and present danger • A congressman was denied his seat • Passage of 18th Amendment (anti-German, use of wheat etc)

13. The war led to expanded government powers.

14. Much voluntary participation (food administration and fuel administration) • War Industries Board(3/17) to coordinate military purchasing – very limited impact • Railroads regulated by government and even briefly nationalized to ensure smooth operations. • National War Labor Board to prevent strikes • Higher taxes on incomes (63% at top levels)

15. Economy: FINANCING THE WAR • “Liberty Bonds”

16. TREATY OF VERSAILLES2. Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World • The Big Four – no interest in a just peace • David Lloyd George • Georges Clemenceau • Vittorio Orlando • Reparations • League of Nations • “Trusteeship” • Treaty of Versailles Orlando, Lord George, Clemenceau, and Wilson in Wilson’s study in Paris

17. Wilson’s Idealism Defeated • Problems at home: • No Republican representation at peace conference – Congress, Republicans and Lodge all had different motivations than Wilson. • Irreconcilables – many were isolationists • Principled progressives thought the treaty too harsh • Reservationists wanted to limit the power of League – hoped to protect Congress’ right to war from Article X. Wilson had to compromise with this group.

18. Wilson refused to compromise. • Sales tour of the US  stroke on 9/25/19 • Vote in Congress. Wilson told Democrats to vote against revisions. Failure • Failure a second time. • Solemn Referendum – Election of 1920 but Harding won. The nation lost interest – treaty never ratified. • End of progressivism.

19. SOCIETY & ECONOMY IN THE POSTWAR YEARSRacial Issues • Red summer of 1919 • East St. Louis Riots • Marcus Garvey

20. SOCIETY & ECONOMY IN THE POSTWAR YEARSPost-war Labor Unrest • Coal Miners Strike of 1919 • Steel Strike of 1919 • Boston Police Strike of 1919 Labor Union Membership1900-1920 “If capital and labor don’t pull together” Chicago Tribune, 1919

21. SOCIETY & ECONOMY IN THE POSTWAR YEARSRed Scare • Communist International • 3rd International Goal (1919): promote worldwide communism • Red Scare • Palmer Raids (1920) Police arrest “suspected Reds” in Chicago, 1920 A. Mitchell Palmer’s Home bombed, 1920

22. Speak Softly,But Carry a Big Stick!