🍑Georgia History Unit 11 – World War I and the Roaring Twenties

Key Events Leading to World War I

• Increasing nationalism and militarism in Europe created tensions between major powers
• Complex system of alliances divided Europe into two main camps (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente)
  • Triple Alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
  • Triple Entente included Great Britain, France, and Russia
• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 sparked the outbreak of war
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, leading to a chain reaction of declarations due to the alliance system
• Imperialism and colonial rivalries contributed to the escalation of the conflict on a global scale
• Arms race between major powers, particularly Germany and Great Britain, heightened military preparedness and aggression
• Failure of diplomacy and the belief in a short, decisive war led to the underestimation of the conflict's potential scale and duration

America's Entry and Role in WWI

• Initially pursued a policy of neutrality under President Woodrow Wilson
• Lusitania, a British passenger ship, was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, killing 128 Americans and turning public opinion against Germany
• Zimmermann Telegram, a secret message from Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S., was intercepted and further pushed America towards war
• U.S. declared war on Germany in April 1917 after repeated German submarine attacks on American ships
• American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) under General John J. Pershing were sent to Europe, providing a significant boost to Allied manpower
• U.S. troops played a crucial role in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the final major battle of the war
• American industrial and economic support was vital to the Allied war effort, supplying food, raw materials, and weapons
• President Wilson's Fourteen Points, a plan for post-war peace, influenced the Treaty of Versailles and the creation of the League of Nations

Georgia's Contributions to the War Effort

• Over 100,000 Georgians served in the U.S. military during World War I
• Camp Gordon, located near Atlanta, trained thousands of soldiers for combat
• Fort Benning, established in 1918, became a major infantry training center
• Georgia's factories and industries shifted production to support the war effort, manufacturing textiles, lumber, and other essential goods
• Agriculture played a vital role, with Georgia farmers increasing production of crops like cotton and tobacco to meet wartime demands
• Georgia's ports, particularly Savannah, were crucial for transporting troops and supplies to Europe
• Women in Georgia took on new roles in the workforce, filling positions left vacant by men serving in the military
• African American Georgians, though facing discrimination, contributed to the war effort through military service and labor in war-related industries

Impact of WWI on Georgia's Society and Economy

• Wartime production boosted Georgia's economy, particularly in the textile, lumber, and agricultural sectors
• Increased demand for labor led to higher wages and improved working conditions in some industries
• African Americans and women experienced greater employment opportunities, though often in lower-paying positions
• Post-war economic downturn led to layoffs and reduced production in many industries
• Returning veterans faced challenges reintegrating into civilian life, including unemployment and social adjustment
• Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919 claimed thousands of lives in Georgia, adding to the war's toll
• Heightened racial tensions and the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the post-war years
• Political shifts, including the growth of the Progressive movement and calls for social reforms

The Transition to Peacetime and Post-War Changes

• Demobilization of troops and the challenges of reintegrating veterans into civilian life
• Closure of wartime factories and the need to adapt to peacetime production
• Shifts in agricultural practices, as farmers adjusted to changing market demands
• Growth of labor unions and increased demands for better working conditions and wages
• Expansion of women's roles in society, with many women reluctant to return to pre-war gender norms
• Rise of consumerism and the beginnings of a mass consumer culture
• Increased urbanization, as people moved to cities in search of economic opportunities
• Emergence of new social and cultural movements, such as the Harlem Renaissance and the "Lost Generation" of writers and artists

The Roaring Twenties: Cultural and Social Shifts

• Rise of mass media, including radio and motion pictures, which transformed entertainment and communication
• Growth of consumer culture, fueled by increased advertising and the availability of credit
• Changing fashion and beauty standards, exemplified by the "flapper" style and shorter hairstyles for women
• Prohibition, the nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol, led to the rise of speakeasies and organized crime
• Jazz Age, characterized by the popularity of jazz music and dance styles like the Charleston
• Harlem Renaissance, a flowering of African American art, literature, and music centered in New York City's Harlem neighborhood
• Changing social norms, including more relaxed attitudes towards dating, sexuality, and gender roles
• Increased leisure time and the popularity of sports, particularly baseball and boxing

Economic Boom and Technological Advancements

• Rapid economic growth, driven by increased consumer spending and technological innovations
• Assembly line production, pioneered by Henry Ford, revolutionized manufacturing and made consumer goods more affordable
• Expansion of the automotive industry, which spurred growth in related sectors like rubber, glass, and steel
• Electrification of homes and businesses, which transformed daily life and work
• Advancements in communication technology, including the widespread adoption of telephones and the development of radio networks
• Agricultural mechanization, which increased farm productivity but also led to the displacement of many rural workers
• Stock market boom, fueled by speculation and easy credit, which created a sense of prosperity but ultimately led to the crash of 1929
• Rise of consumer credit, including installment buying and the proliferation of department stores

Georgia During the Roaring Twenties

• Expansion of the textile industry, particularly in the production of cotton goods
• Growth of the agricultural sector, with increased mechanization and the introduction of new crops like tobacco and peanuts
• Urbanization, as many rural Georgians moved to cities like Atlanta and Savannah in search of economic opportunities
• Expansion of transportation infrastructure, including the construction of new highways and the growth of the trucking industry
• Increased tourism, as visitors were drawn to Georgia's coastal resorts and historic sites
• Prohibition-era bootlegging and the rise of organized crime in cities like Atlanta
• Continued racial tensions and the activities of the Ku Klux Klan, which experienced a resurgence in membership during the 1920s
• Growth of the African American middle class and the emergence of thriving African American business districts in cities like Atlanta

Legacy and Long-Term Effects on Georgia

• Diversification of Georgia's economy, with a shift away from reliance on agriculture and towards manufacturing and service industries
• Urbanization and the growth of metropolitan areas, particularly Atlanta, which emerged as a major transportation hub and economic center
• Increased political power for African Americans, as the Great Migration and the growth of the African American middle class led to greater civic engagement and activism
• Continued struggles for civil rights and racial equality, as the gains of the 1920s were met with resistance and backlash in the following decades
• Development of Georgia's tourism industry, which capitalized on the state's natural beauty, historic sites, and cultural attractions
• Expansion of the state's transportation infrastructure, including the construction of the U.S. Highway System and the growth of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
• Legacy of the New Deal, as Depression-era programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration left a lasting impact on Georgia's infrastructure and public works
• Enduring cultural contributions, as the music, literature, and art of the 1920s continued to influence Georgia's cultural landscape in the decades that followed