World War I: Over There and Over Here: America In The War

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Lesson 7 World War I Over There and Over
HereAmerica In The War
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Lesson Objectives
  Understand the role of the US in the war to
1916.   Understand the concept of unrestricted
submarine warfare and discuss its impact on the
war.   Understand how and why the U.S. entered
World War I.   Understand the impact of the
war on British and U.S. society.   Be able to
describe the efforts made to mobilize the
American public in World War I.

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Phases of World War I
1914 - Maneuver and Frustration
1915 - Search for New Solutions
1916 - Attrition
1917 - Desperation and Anticipation
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Review of the War
August 3, 1914
Germany invades Belgium war begins
Sept 5-10, 1914
Miracle of the Marne German invasion halted
October 1914
Race to the Sea ends Stalemate on Western Front
1915
Sea blockades established around UK and Germany
Feb 1915-Jan 1916
Dardanelles Campaign (Gallipoli)
1916
Germans accept futility of breakthrough on
Western Front, adopt attrition strategy against
French at Verdun
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5
Review of the War
Feb - Dec 1916
Battle of Verdun (German Offensive)
Battle of the Somme (Allied Offensive)
Jul - Nov 1916
German decision for unrestricted sub warfare
1 Feb 1917
Germans withdraw to Hindenburg Line
Mar 1917
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Submarine Warfare
Submarines were an unproven weapon

No doctrine for use
Little support from establishment
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German U-boats
Germany had about 20 operational Unterseeboots at
the beginning of the war

Small, short ranged, gasoline powered
U-9
Displacement 600 tons (submerged) Range 3,300
miles (surface) 6 torpedoes
U-boat.net http//uboat.net/wwi/
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German U-boats
U-9
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German U-boats

U-9 (1910)
Displacement 600 tons (submerged) Range 3,300
miles (surface) 6 torpedoes
Mittel-class (1915)
Displacement 950 tons (submerged) Range 11,000
miles (surface) 16 torpedoes
U-boat.net http//uboat.net/wwi/
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German U-boats
Ocean Minelaying Submarines

Type UE 2 (1916)
Displacement 1,500 tons (submerged) Range
13,900 miles (surface) 14 torpedoes / 42 mines
U-boat.net http//uboat.net/wwi/
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Blockade Running Sub

Cargo Submarine Deutschland New London,
Connecticut November 1916
Cargo Submarine Deutschland Baltimore, Maryland
July 1916
Cargo Germany-US dyes, pharmaceuticals,
gemstones US-Germany strategic materials
(nickel, tin, rubber)
Maryland Historical Society
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Blockade Running Sub

U-155 (ex-Deutschland) (1916/1917)
Displacement 1,875 tons (submerged) Range
25,000 miles (surface) 18 torpedoes
Commissioned in the Imperial Navy February 1917
U-boat.net http//uboat.net/wwi/
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German Commerce Raider
Blockade Running Sub

U-155 (ex-Deutschland)

Stopping merchant ship for inspection
U-boat.net http//uboat.net/wwi/
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The Victims

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The Victims

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The Victims

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Timetable to War for US
Lusitania torpedoed
May 7, 1915
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The Victims
RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915

U-20
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The Victims
RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915

Lusitania sank in 18 minutes
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The Victims
RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915
Lost 1,198 of 1,959 souls on board
Including 128 Americans, 49 children
Compared with daily casualty figures at the
Front, the Lusitania fatalities were tiny. But
world reaction to what had occurred off the Irish
coast Friday 7 May 1915 was enormous.
Diane Preston Lusitania An Epic Tragedy
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Timetable to War for US
Lusitania torpedoed
May 7, 1915
Army Reorganization Act
Mar 15, 1916
Wilson begins peace initiative
Dec 1916
Jan 22, 1917
Wilson calls for peace without victory
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Woodrow T. Wilson
28th President of the United States
Grew up in Georgia (Augusta)
Princeton graduate
Academic Career
Governor of New Jersey (1911-1913)
President 1913-1921 (Democrat)
Termed a Progressive, idealist
Active presidency
Federal Reserve Act Clayton Antitrust Act Federal
Trade Commission Act Re-established Progressive
Income Tax
1856 - 1924
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Timetable to War for US
Lusitania torpedoed Army Reorganization
Act Wilson begins peace initiative Wilson calls
for peace without victory
May 7, 1915 Mar 15, 1916 Dec 1916 Jan 22, 1917
Feb 1, 1917
Germany resumes unrestricted sub warfare
Feb 3, 1917
US breaks relations with Germany
Zimmerman Telegram revealed
Feb 24, 1917
(the Strategic Distraction from previous
lesson)
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Zimmerman Telegram
Sent by German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmerman
To Embassy in Washington, January 16, 1917
Ambassador forwarded to Embassy in Mexico
British intercepted message, passed to US
Publication of message enflamed US!
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Zimmerman Telegram
Berlin, January 19, 1917 On the first of February
we intend to begin submarine warfare
unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our
intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United
States of America. If this attempt is not
successful, we propose an alliance on the
following basis with Mexico That we shall make
war together and together make peace. We shall
give general financial support, and it is
understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost
territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The
details are left to you for settlement.... You
are instructed to inform the President of Mexico
of the above in the greatest confidence as soon
as it is certain that there will be an outbreak
of war with the United States and suggest that
the President of Mexico, on his own initiative,
should communicate with Japan suggesting
adherence at once to this plan at the same time,
offer to mediate between Germany and Japan.
Please call to the attention of the President of
Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine
warfare now promises to compel England to make
peace in a few months. Zimmerman(Secretary of
State)

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Timetable to War
Lusitania sunk Army Reorganization Act Wilson
begins peace initiative Wilson calls for peace
without victory Germany resumes unrestricted sub
warfare US breaks relations with German Zimmerman
Telegram revealed
May 7, 1915 Mar 15, 1916 Dec 1916 Jan 22,
1917 Feb 1, 1917 Feb 3, 1917 Feb 24, 1917

Wilson asks for war declaration
Apr 2, 1917
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Declaration of War
April 2, 1917 President Wilson asked Congress
for declaration of war

April 4, 1917
Senate approved 82 6
April 6, 1917
House approved 373 - 50
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Declaration of War

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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare

US tradition of defending Freedom of the Seas
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare

The Zimmerman Telegram
Posed a direct threat to the U.S.
Challenged Monroe Doctrine
Revelation focused Americans on war issue
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman
Telegram
Make the World Safe for Democracy
Democracy vs. Autocracy
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman
Telegram Make the World Safe for Democracy
American Non-Neutrality
Trade with belligerents, mostly Britain
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman
Telegram Make the World Safe for
Democracy American Non-Neutrality
American Frustration
Lack of response to peace feelers
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First
World War An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into
the war. But it would be too simple to say that
America fought solely for the freedom of the
seas, still less of course for the sake of New
Mexico. The United States were already committed
to the Allied side.
German submarines forced the United States into
the war. But it would be too simple to say that
America fought solely for the freedom of the
seas, still less of course for the sake of New
Mexico. The United States were already committed
to the Allied side.
35
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First
World War An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into
the war. But it would be too simple to say that
America fought solely for the freedom of the
seas, still less of course for the sake of New
Mexico. The United States were already committed
to the Allied side.
At first, the American Government had tried to
remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed
not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon
businessmen complained that the chances of good
profits were being lost.
At first, the American Government had tried to
remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed
not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon
businessmen complained that the chances of good
profits were being lost.
36
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First
World War An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into
the war. But it would be too simple to say that
America fought solely for the freedom of the
seas, still less of course for the sake of New
Mexico. The United States were already committed
to the Allied side.
At first, the American Government had tried to
remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed
not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon
businessmen complained that the chances of good
profits were being lost.
Large funds were extended to the
Allies. Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the
Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British
and French orders. The economy boomed.
Large funds were extended to the Allies. Copper,
cotton, wheat poured across the Atlantic.
Factories worked overtime on British and French
orders. The economy boomed.
37
Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First
World War An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into
the war. But it would be too simple to say that
America fought solely for the freedom of the
seas, still less of course for the sake of New
Mexico. The United States were already committed
to the Allied side.
At first, the American Government had tried to
remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed
not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon
businessmen complained that the chances of good
profits were being lost.
Large funds were extended to the
Allies. Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the
Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British
and French orders. The economy boomed.
If the German submarines stopped this
trade, there would be depression, crisis. If the
Allies lost the war, the American loans would be
lost also.
If the German submarines stopped this trade,
there would be depression, crisis. If the Allies
lost the war, the American loans would be lost
also.
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Another view
A. J. P. Taylor (British historian) The First
World War An Illustrated History (1963)
German submarines forced the United States into
the war. But it would be too simple to say that
America fought solely for the freedom of the
seas, still less of course for the sake of New
Mexico. The United States were already committed
to the Allied side.
At first, the American Government had tried to
remain strictly neutral. Banks were instructed
not to give credit to the belligerents. Soon
businessmen complained that the chances of good
profits were being lost.
Large funds were extended to the
Allies. Copper, cotton, wheat poured across the
Atlantic. Factories worked overtime on British
and French orders. The economy boomed.
If the German submarines stopped this
trade, there would be depression, crisis. If the
Allies lost the war, the American loans would be
lost also.
In the end, the United States went to war so that
America could remain prosperous and rich.
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted submarine warfare The Zimmerman
Telegram Make the World Safe for
Democracy American Non-Neutrality American
Frustration
Protect US Economic Interests
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Grand Strategy 101
Why did Great Britain go to war in 1914?

Maintain European balance of power
(Lesson 5, Slide 19)
1917
Britain, France on the ropes
Russia in revolution, almost out of the war
Germany poised to knock Britain out of the war w/
subs
What should the US do?
US chose to pursue British objective maintain
balance
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Why Did The US Enter the War?
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare The Zimmerman
Telegram Make the World Safe for
Democracy American Non-Neutrality American
Frustration
Protect US Economic Interests
Maintain European Balance of Power
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Entry of the US into the War
Video
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HIGHLIGHTS
Irish Revolt
Mexican Border Incursion
Election of 1916
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
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Mobilization
Goal Mobilize America for Total War

National Unity
Military Manpower
Industry
How do you do this?
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Mobilization
Goal Mobilize America for Total War
Build Popular Support
National Unity
Military Manpower
Industry
How do you do that?
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Propaganda
!
Propaganda is persuading people to make up
their minds while withholding some of the facts
from them.

Sir Harold Evans (1928 - ) British-born
journalist and writer
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Propaganda
Public Information
Building Support
Committee for Public Information (Creel
Commission)

Goal To create "a passionate belief in the
justice of America's cause that would weld the
American people into one white hot mass instinct
with fraternity, devotion, courage and deathless
determination."
George Creel, 1920
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Building Support

Georgetown University Library http//www.library.g
eorgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
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Building Support

Georgetown University Library http//www.library.g
eorgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
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Building Support

Georgetown University Library http//www.library.g
eorgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
50
Building Support

Georgetown University Library http//www.library.g
eorgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
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Building Support

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Building Support

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Building Support

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Building Support
Georgetown University Library http//www.library.g
eorgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
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Building Support

Georgetown University Library http//www.library.g
eorgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/amposter.htm
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Building Support
Chorus Over there, over there, Send the word,
send the word over there - That the Yanks are
coming, The Yanks are coming, The drums
rum-tumming Ev'rywhere. So prepare, say a
pray'r, Send the word, send the word to
beware. We'll be over, we're coming over, And we
won't come back till it's over Over there

Nora Bayes - video
Billy Murray - audio
Arthur Fileds - video
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Building Support

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Wartime Security Measures
Espionage Act - 1917
Made it a crime to interfere with the operation
or success of the armed forces of the United
States or to promote the success of its enemies
Trading with the Enemy Act - 1917
Gave President the power to restrict trade
between the U.S. and its enemies in times of war.
Sedition Act of 1918
Amended Espionage Act of 1917
Prohibited Americans from using "disloyal,
profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about
the United States government, flag, or armed
forces during war.
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Wilsons 14 Points January 8, 1918

1. Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at
2. Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas
3. Establishment of an equality of trade conditions
4. National armaments will be reduced
5. Impartial adjustment of all colonial claims
6. Evacuation of all Russian territory
7. Belgium must be evacuated and restored
8. All French territory should be freed and the
   invaded portions restored
9. Readjustment of the frontiers of Italy
10. Peoples of Austria-Hungary should be accorded
    opportunity of autonomous development
11. Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro are restored
12. Turkish portions of Ottoman Empire should be
    assured sovereignty
13. An independent Polish state should be erected
14. A general association of nations must be formed

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Mobilization
Goal Mobilize America for Total War
National Unity
Industry
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Mobilization
The United States went to war on the side of the
Allies in April 1917 without stockpiles of
equipment or plans for creating them. Worse, the
Army had no clear idea of the character and
magnitude of its wartime needs and no detailed
specifications for production of many kinds of
equipment. Had such plans existed they would have
been of little use anyway because so little was
known about the nation's industrial capacity,
including the location and productivity of
various industries. What lay ahead was
improvisation in the face of unforeseen crises to
compensate for inadequate planning and
preparation.

Mobilization US Army Center for Military History,
1995
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Americans In Europe

U.S. troops with French-made Renault FT-17 tanks
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Americans In Europe

U.S. soldier with French-made Chauchat light
machine gun
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Americans In Europe

U.S. soldiers with French-made Hotchkiss machine
gun
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Americans In Europe
U.S. artillerymen with French-made 75 mm gun
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Americans In Europe

Captain Eddie
Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker with French-made SPAD
fighter
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Americans In Europe
Note the pattern
French-made
Example
Of 3,400 field guns used by AEF, only 130 were
US-made
A giant armed with a penknife
British historian B.H. Liddel Hart On US
preparedness for World War I
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Americas Contribution
Shipbuilding
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Americas Contribution
Shipbuilding
The U.S. Shipping Board created in September
1916 to revitalize the U.S. merchant fleet
built over 1,000 cargo ships commandeered more
than 2 million tons of shipping from private
yards and owners operated German ships seized
by the U.S. government when war declared on
Germany in 1917
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Americas Contribution
Shipbuilding
Ship construction - Puget Sound
Ship launch - Mobile, AL
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Americas Contribution
Shipbuilding
Hog Island Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA
Largest shipyard in the world - 50 construction
slips
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Americas Contribution
Shipbuilding
122 built
None delivered prior to Armistice
Hog Islander (5,000 tons)
SS Cassimer
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Americas Contribution
Shipbuilding
The U.S. Shipping Board
1917-1918
1,255 merchant ships launched (4,030,000 GRT)
Gross Registered Tons a measure of cargo ship
capacity equivalent to 100 cubic feet (2.83 cubic
meters)
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Americas Contribution
Convoy System
European-bound convoy - 1918
Loss rates dropped from 10 to 2
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Americas Contribution
Manpower
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Mobilization
Goal Mobilize America for Total War

National Unity
Industry
Manpower
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Selective Service Act May 18, 1917
U.S. Army - April 1917
5,791 officers, 121,797 enlisted
ranked 16th among the world's armies
just behind Portugal
plus 97,000 National Guardsmen in state service
Needed to build army to 4 million
By June 1917, 10 million Americans had registered
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Mobilization
Rapid expansion of training base
Four million men in uniform by armistice
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US at War

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Mobilization

December 31, 1917 - 205,000 US soldiers in France
June 1, 1918 - 655,000 US soldiers in France
July 1, 1918 - 935,000 US soldiers in France
September 1, 1918 - 1,530,000 US soldiers in
France
Armistice - 2,076,000 US soldiers in France
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AEF
American Expeditionary Force
Divisions 1, 3-8 Regular Army and
Volunteers
Division 2 Hybrid of Regular Army and US
Marines
Commanded by two U. S. Marine Corps Generals
Brigadier General Charles A. Doyne
Major General John A. Lejeune
Later 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Lejeune
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AEF
American Expeditionary Force
Divisions 1, 3-8 Regular Army and
Volunteers
Division 2 Hybrid of Regular Army and US
Marines
Divisions 26-42 National Guard Units combined
by states or contiguous states. The 42nd
"Rainbow" division was an exception having
contingents from twenty-six states and the
District of Columbia
Divisions 76-91 National Divisions Regular
Army Cadre with draftees Division 92
African-American regulars and volunteers with
mostly white officers Division 93 Never
formed as a division. Its four regiments of
African-American volunteers plus National
Guardsmen and primarily white officers were
separately assigned to French divisions and
fought with distinction.
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AEF
American Expeditionary Force
US divisions more than twice as large as others
US 25,000 - 28,000 men
Others 10,000 - 12,000
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Americans In Europe

World War I Battle Streamer
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Americans In Europe

Elements of US 1st Expeditionary Division (later
1st Division) arrived in France, June 1917
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Americans In Europe

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Phases of World War I
1914 - Maneuver and Frustration
1915 - Search for New Solutions
1916 - Attrition
1917 - Desperation and Anticipation
1918 - Dénouement
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Next
Lesson 10 World War I End of the War, Seeds of
the Next
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Lesson Objectives
Understand the situation Germany faced as it
entered 1918. Be able to describe the changes
in the war on the Western front in 1918.
Understand the role the US played in the fighting
in Europe. Be able to describe the operations
of the US military in Europe in the years
immediately following the armistice. Be able
to discuss the major provisions of the Versailles
Treaty and how this document sowed the seeds for
World War II.
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End