Chapter 23, Section 2

1. Chapter 23, Section 2 The Road to War

2. “He kept us Out of War” • Wilson wanted peace but saw the need to be prepared in case war could not be avoided • 1916 Wilson ran for reelection against Republican Charles Evan Hughes; both supported neutrality • Democrats boosted Wilson’s image with the slogan “He kept us out of war!” • Wilson won reelection • Wilson called on world powers for “peace without victory”

3. Moving Toward War • Germany warned any neutral nation that it would sink any ship nearing Britain. • The renewal of submarine warfare was a desperate effort to break the Allied blockade • They knew U-boats attacks would bring the U.S. into the war. • To protest Germany’s attraction Wilson cut diplomatic relations • He still hoped for peace

4. A secret note • Zimmerman telegram: Germany’s foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman gave instructions to the German minister to urge Mexico to attack the U.S. if the U.S. declared war on Germany • In return Germany would help Mexico regain its lost provinces in the American Southwest • When this new broke Anti-German feelings soared

5. Revolution Russia2 Events push the U.S. closer to war • Germansubmarines sank several American merchant ships • Revolution in Russia drove czar Nicholas II from power • Czar: Russian Emperor; ruled with absolute power

6. Revolution Russia2 Events push the U.S. closer to war • Several times in the 1800s and early 1900s Russians revolted against czarist rule • Their efforts all ended in failure • Discontent surface when condition in Russia and on the war front worsened • Russian revolted against the czar protesting food shortage • Revolutionaries set up a provisional government calling for democratic reforms

7. Revolution Russia • Wilson welcomed the Russian revolution because he believed in democracy • It was against his principles to be an ally of the czar • With the new Russian government in power he believed the Allied cause would be stronger

8. Wilson’s war message • Read Wilson’s war message on page 656 • Why did Wilson believe the United States should declare war? • Democracy • Congress voted in favor of declaring war.

9. Calling Up the Troops • Americans needed to prepare for war fast • Allies were desperate • Britain had only a few weeks worth of food left • France’s troops were on the verge of collapse • Russian soldiers (Eastern front) were deserting to join the Revolution

10. A chance to serve • Selective Service Act: Required all men age 21 to 30 to register for military draft • In 18 months 4 million men and women joined the armed forces • Some felt this was their chance for adventure and excitement

11. “Fighting for democracy” • People from every ethnic group enlisted • 20,000 Puerto Ricans • Filipinos • Many recent immigrants • Native Americans could not be citizens and could not be drafted but enlisted anyway • African American at first could not serve • 2 million registered when Government changed the rules • 400,000 were accepted

12. Organizing the War Effort • U.S. reorganized its economy to produce food, arms, and other goods need to fight the war • Government agencies weren’t set up to oversee the effort

13. Food for victory • Herbert Hoover headed the Food Administration • Farmers grew more crops • Families rationed • Wheatless Mondays • Meatless Tuesdays

14. Factories and Labor • War industries Board; new government agency • Told factories what to produce • Divided up limited resources • Settled disputes over working hours and wages • Due to labor shortage, Unions won better pay and working conditions

15. Winning Public Support • Liberty Bonds: When American bought bonds they were lending money to the government to pay for war • $21 billion dollars in sales • “Four-Minute men”: speakers urged Americans to make sacrifices for goals of freedom and democracy

16. Women at Work • Women stepped in to war industry jobs where they received better pay • By performing well in jobs thought only suited for men they changed the view that they were only fit for certain kinds of work

17. Tensions and Protests • Many African Americans left the south and moved to northern cities to escape poverty and discrimination

18. Violence against African Americans • In the north competition for housing and jobs caused prejudice and racial violence • 39 African Americans killed during a riot in East St. Louise, Illinois

19. Immigrants from Mexico • Southwestern farmers pressed the government to allow more Mexicans to cross the border to work on farms • They entered to work on farms and in city factories • After the war the U.S. tried to force them to return to Mexico

20. Attacks on German Americans • Subjected to suspicion and intolerance during the war • Newspapers questioned their loyalty • Mobs attacked them

21. Jailing critics • Progressives and Socialists opposed the war • They believed that the war benefited the wealthy owners but not workers • Pacifists: people who refuse to fight in any war • To encourage unity congress passed laws making it a crime to criticize the government or to interfere with war efforts • 1,600 men and women were arrested for breaking these laws • Some felt that silencing critics violated the constitution’s guarantee of free speech • Most felt these laws were necessary in wartime