Unit 4
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Began in Europe in 1914
US joined in 1917
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European Causes MANIA
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Militarism
Alliances
Nationalism
Imperialism
Assassination
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Long standing friendships with Gr Brit & France
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Immigrants in US felt loyalty to their roots
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Trade increased during the war with the Allies
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Propaganda
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Germany attempted to block trade betw. US & Gr.
Brit. Violated principle of “freedom of the seas”
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Unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany
 Sunk the Lusitania steamship, killing US civilians
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Zimmerman Telegram
 Germany attempted to form an alliance with
Mexico to attack the US
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What were the economic reasons the US
joined WWI?
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What were the social reasons?
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What were the political reasons?
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Selective Service began
 All 18+ males must register for a draft
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Gov’t took more control of economy
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Af-Am and women employment increased
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Nationalism and propaganda increased
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Who was propaganda aimed at?
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How did the war benefit certain groups of
people? How did it hurt certain groups?
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Nativism increased (again)
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Espionage and Sedition Acts
 Called for punishment of anyone who spoke out against the
war.
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Schenck vs. US (1919)
 Schenck was mailing flyers against the draft. Arrested for
espionage & sedition. Said he had freedom of speech.
 S. Court ruled free speech could be restricted during wartime.
Upheld Sedition Act.
 Constitutional rights are not absolute.
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Red Scare- fear of communism-led to witch hunts of suspected
communists
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Pres. Wilson had Fourteen Points for peace:
 Open diplomacy
 Freedom of the seas
 Arms reduction
 Self- determination
 Remove trade barriers
 League of Nations-world oragniz. dedicated to peace
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Treaty of Versailles –very harsh towards Germany. Made
them pay for the war. Put them in debt. Set the stage for
Hitler WWII.
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US never joined the League of Nations
 It was weak and eventually disappeared
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Never ratified the Treaty of Versailles but did loan money to
Germany. Congress did not want to
continue US involvement in other
countries’ problems. Wanted to
return to non-involvement.
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How did the end of WWI set the stage for
WWII?