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World War I (American History)

World War I began with the U.S. initially declaring neutrality, but shifting to involvement after German unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram. The American Expeditionary Force, largely untrained, engaged in combat leading to a decisive offensive in 1918, resulting in victory and significant casualties. The Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy reparations on Germany and initiated the formation of the League of Nations, while failing to address various international issues.

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WWI
WWI Begins • At the start of Wilson declared that the US would be neutral during the war • Because of trade neutrality was a hard thing to keep, and the Allied Powers soon benefited from US resources • Soon Germany began to attack ships traveling between Europe and North America, with their new invention the submarine • Most Americans saw the sinking of civilian merchant ships as an outrage and a violation of the rules of war • May 7, 1915 a German U-Boat sank the Lusitania killing 128 Americans, which prompted protests in the US, which caused Germany to change its tactics
• January 1917 Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and Wilson broke off diplomacy with Germany • February the British government reveled through the Zimmerman Telegram that Germany was trying to get Mexico to attack the US, in exchange for the former Mexican territory • End of 1917 Wilson asked congress to declare war on Germany, thus beginning WWI for the United States
WWI Battles • In 1917 the Selective Service Act was formed which instituted the draft • 2 million men would serve in the American Expeditionary Force, under the command of Gen. John J. Pershing • Most of the AEF would see combat on the Western Front • Most of the AEF that were sent over were untrained and made little contributions to the war effort.
• In 1918 the stalemate that had taken place since 1914 was over when Germany was freed from fighting the Russians on the Eastern Front • In September of 1918 the AEF took on two major offensives to drive the Germans back. • AEF declared victory in October after breaking through the Germany line • By the end of 1919 Germany was forced to sign the peace armistices • American causalities were over 320,00o and more than 112,000 killed
WWI Ends • Paris Peace Conference 1919 brought the UK, France, Italy, and US together to decided the fate of Europe • Purpose of the conference: negotiate a peace treaty with Germany and to draw boundaries for new countries
• The Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919 ending WWI • Versailles included President Wilson’s provisions to establish the League of Nations (early form of the United Nations) • The end of World War I saw the rise of several newly formed nations within Europe; including Poland
The Treaty of Versailles
The Punishment for Germany • • • • Germany had to accept total blame for the war Germany had to pay war reparations ($300 Billion) Germany downsized army and gave up their navy Germany gave up their colonial holdings, which were divided up amongst the allies.
Other Territorial Changes • Austria-Hungary divided up into four separate nations • Five other independent nations were established out of parts of Germany
An International Organization Established • The League of Nations & World Court are formed • The League were suppose to work together to stop international aggression • The World Court was set up to mediate disputes between countries.
Issues not Covered by the Treaty of Versailles • US President Wilson wanted open negotiations and elimination of secret treaties • No mention of the rights of neutrals at sea or freedom of the seas • Free trade was largely ignored and tariffs left enacted • No other country was ordered to reduce their army or armaments except for Germany