Transcript WHPP Unit 5 Section 7 American Power Tips the Scales

Unit 5 Section 7
American Power Tips the Scales
TYWL: Global interaction may be caused by conflict. / Forces of
imperialism, nationalism, militarism and geo-political alliances, taken to
the extreme, can lead to international conflicts. / Nationalism and the
quest for power are often underlying causes for war. / Conflict occurs
when compromise over land, national identity and colonial possessions is
no longer an option between those in authority and those they serve. /
America Enters the War
• Russian Revolution –
Russia quits the war
• Becomes a fight
between democracies
(Allies) and old-style
autocracies (Central
Powers)
• Submarine warfare,
Zimmerman Note,
British propaganda –
key causes of US entry
• US joins Allies – “A fight
to make the world safe
for democracy.”
• America is not prepared
to fight – must scramble
to get ready
Mobilizing for War
• Selective Service Act of
1917 – draft registry
• Over 3 million troops
are drafted
• 400,000 AfricanAmericans
• 13,000 women enlist in
Army Corps of nurses –
other non-combat roles
• Government takes
control of industry –
shipping workers
exempt from draft
• Convoy system to get
troops overseas safely
Government Powers in Wartime
• During war or other crisis – powers of gov’t
historically are increased:
– War Industries Board – Regulates American
industry during war – efficiency/productivity
– War Economy – industries profits from war –
workers discouraged from striking by gov’t
– Food Administration – rationing, Victory Gardens
1
Government Powers in Wartime
War Financing – Liberty
bonds, increase in
taxes
Propaganda – “selling
the war” to the public.
Establish Committee on
Public Information –
artists create poster
campaign; 75K
speakers pitch the war
to Americans.
Civil Liberties Suffer
• Anti-immigrant hysteria throughout the
country, especially against Germans
• Espionage and Sedition Acts- Made it illegal to
criticize war efforts – targeted socialists and
labor leaders who were against the war
• Schenck v. US – ruled against free speech
during wartime – “clear and present danger”
to the nation
Fighting “Over There”
• American Expeditionary Force – leader,
General John “Black Jack” Pershing
• US soldiers called “doughboys”
• Shock and horror of modern war
– Terrible conditions in trenches (trench foot)
– Shell shock
– Disease
– Horrible injuries and amputations
American Manpower in Europe
• Americans arrive in time
to stop German Army
from taking Paris
• Turning Point – Second
Battle of the Marne,
August, 1917.
• Greatest American hero,
Alvin York*, conscientious
objector who won the
Medal of Honor
• Germany signs armistice
ending war on 11/11/18
*click for more on Alvin York
The 3rd Infantry earned the nickname “Rock
of the Marne” in France in 1917
3
The Cost of War
22 million dead
20 million injured
10 million refugees
“In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
4
War Encourages Social Change
• African Americans split on war due to racial
inequality at home
• Greatest effect on Black people – Great Migration –
movement of hundreds of thousands of Southern
African Americans to Northern cities – factory jobs
Women also effected:
• Took over many jobs left behind by soldiers
• Support of war effort encourages passage of 19th
Amendment
Flu Pandemic
• America (and world) hit
by virulent strain of flu
in 1918
• Large groups of people
being exposed
• ¼ of American get flu –
half die
• 40 million deaths
worldwide
5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
From http://www.charmofthecarolines.com
From http://www.discountposterstore.com
From http://www.clickamericana.com
From http://www.nytimes.com
From http://www.iayork.com