9.3 The United States in World War I

World War I transformed America from a neutral observer to a global powerhouse. The U.S. initially stayed out of the conflict, but growing ties to the Allies and German aggression eventually drew the nation in.

America's entry into the war in 1917 sparked massive changes at home. The economy boomed as industry ramped up to support the war effort. Meanwhile, social shifts and restrictions on civil liberties reshaped American society.

U.S. Involvement in World War I

Neutrality and Growing Ties to the Allies

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• The United States initially remained neutral in World War I, despite growing ties to the Allied powers through trade and financial loans
• American businesses and banks provided loans and resources to the Allies (Britain, France), creating economic incentives to support their war effort

Factors Pushing the U.S. Towards War

• Germany's use of unrestricted submarine warfare, resulting in the sinking of the Lusitania and other merchant ships with American passengers, heightened tensions between the U.S. and Germany
• The Zimmermann Telegram, a secret diplomatic message proposing a military alliance between Germany and Mexico against the U.S., further pushed the United States towards war
• President Woodrow Wilson's idealistic vision of a postwar world order, outlined in his Fourteen Points speech, justified U.S. intervention as a means to promote democracy and self-determination
• The Fourteen Points included principles such as self-determination, free trade, open diplomacy, and the establishment of a League of Nations to maintain peace
• The U.S. Congress declared war on Germany in April 1917, citing Germany's violation of its pledge to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean

World War I's Impact on America

Economic and Industrial Changes

• The war effort required a significant increase in industrial production, leading to a boom in manufacturing and the expansion of the U.S. economy
• The government increased its role in economic planning and regulation through agencies such as the War Industries Board, which coordinated wartime production
• The War Industries Board allocated resources, set production quotas, and standardized prices to ensure efficient wartime manufacturing
• Women's participation in the workforce expanded during the war, although many were pushed out of these roles after the war ended

Social and Demographic Shifts

• The Great Migration of African Americans from the South to Northern cities accelerated due to increased demand for industrial labor
• African Americans sought better economic opportunities and a chance to escape the oppressive Jim Crow laws of the South
• The migration led to the growth of African American communities in cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York, as well as increased racial tensions and violence
• The war fostered a sense of national unity and patriotism, but also exacerbated social and political tensions, particularly along racial, ethnic, and class lines

Political and Civil Liberties Challenges

• The Espionage Act (1917) and Sedition Act (1918) restricted civil liberties, particularly freedom of speech and press, in the name of national security
• These acts were used to prosecute individuals who criticized the war effort or the government, leading to the suppression of dissent
• Socialist and labor leaders, such as Eugene V. Debs, were targeted for their opposition to the war and criticism of government policies

U.S. Military in World War I

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)

• The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), led by General John J. Pershing, played a crucial role in bolstering Allied forces on the Western Front
• U.S. troops participated in major battles, such as the Battle of Cantigny, the Battle of Belleau Wood, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which helped turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies
• The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest and bloodiest battle in American history, involving over 1 million U.S. soldiers and resulting in significant casualties

Innovations and Adaptations

• American soldiers, known as "doughboys," adapted to the realities of trench warfare and introduced new tactics and technologies, such as the use of combined arms and the employment of aircraft and tanks
• Combined arms tactics involved the coordination of infantry, artillery, and air support to break through enemy defenses
• The U.S. Navy played a vital role in countering German U-boat attacks and ensuring the safe transport of troops and supplies across the Atlantic

Economic and Industrial Support

• American economic and industrial might provided the Allies with critical resources, including food, raw materials, and manufactured goods
• The U.S. became known as the "Arsenal of Democracy" due to its vast production capabilities and ability to supply the Allied war effort

Domestic Challenges During World War I

Propaganda and Anti-German Sentiment

• The Committee on Public Information, led by George Creel, launched a massive propaganda campaign to promote support for the war and demonize Germany and other Central Powers
• Propaganda posters, films, and public speakers portrayed the war as a noble cause and encouraged Americans to buy war bonds and conserve resources
• Anti-German sentiment led to discrimination and persecution of German Americans, including attacks on German-language newspapers and the banning of German language instruction in schools

Conscientious Objectors and Dissent

• Conscientious objectors, particularly those motivated by religious or moral beliefs, faced public condemnation and legal penalties for refusing to serve in the military
• Some conscientious objectors were imprisoned or forced to perform alternative service, such as working in hospitals or on farms
• The U.S. government implemented a draft through the Selective Service Act, leading to the mobilization of over 4 million American soldiers

Red Scare and Civil Liberties Violations

• The Red Scare, fueled by fears of communist infiltration and labor unrest, led to the Palmer Raids and the deportation of suspected radicals and immigrants
• Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer authorized raids on suspected radical organizations and the arrest of thousands of individuals without due process
• The Espionage Act and Sedition Act were used to prosecute individuals who criticized the war effort or the government, leading to the suppression of anti-war sentiment and the violation of civil liberties