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America in World War I

America in World War I. James Montgomery Flagg’s famous “I Want You for U.S. Army” poster inspired millions of American men to enlist for military service as the United States entered World War I in 1917. President Wilson in France on his way to negotiate the Versailles Treaty.

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America in World War I

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  1. America in World War I James Montgomery Flagg’s famous “I Want You for U.S. Army” poster inspired millions of American men to enlist for military service as the United States entered World War I in 1917.

  2. President Wilson in France on his way to negotiate the Versailles Treaty

  3. Essential Questions • Why was it difficult for the U.S. to follow a policy of neutrality during the early years of World War I? • What developments led the U.S. to enter the war? • How did the U.S. make the transition from a peacetime to a wartime society? • Why did the government find it necessary to restrict civil liberties during wartime? • Why did the Senate ultimately fail to ratify the Versailles Treaty? • What implications did the end of World War I have in regard to the rise of totalitarian governments during the 1930s and 1940s?

  4. Woodrow Wilson • Born in Virginia in 1856 • President of Princeton University • New Jersey governor • Elected president in 1912 • Progressive administration, “The New Freedom” • Reelected in 1916

  5. War Comes to Europe:Fundamental Causes • Nationalism • Militarism • Imperialism • Entangling Alliances • Diplomacy • Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are greeted in Sarajevo shortly before both were shot

  6. World War I Alliances • Britain • France • Russia • Germany • Austria-Hungary • Ottoman Empire (Turkey) Triple Entente (Allies) Triple Alliance (Central Powers)

  7. Discussion Questions • Why did the major powers in Europe enter into such complicated alliances? What were the consequences of doing so? • Which of the fundamental causes of World War I do you think was the most important in causing the war?

  8. U.S. Neutrality • U.S. economic interests tied to the Allies • Similarities in American and British culture • U.S. immigrants from eastern Europe • Irish Americans supported Germany • Wilson’s philosophy favored assisting the Allies’ cause

  9. International Law and World War • International Law: governs relations between nation-states • Developing technology and war strategies made violations more common • Belligerents’ violations of international law directly affected American citizens and the U.S. government

  10. German U-Boats • Used to counterbalance strength of British navy • British ships attempted to reduce threat by flying U.S. flags • Germans responded with “unrestricted submarine warfare” • U.S. saw this as a violation of American neutrality German U-Boats, such as the SM U 15 pictured above, terrorized transport ships and passenger liners during World War I

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