The USA and the First World War

• The USA and the First World War


  Neutrality

  The USA sought to remain neutral.

  • It had remained aloof from European disputes since early nineteenth century.
  • Many of its citizens had ties w/ Germany or its allies.
  • If USA remained neutral it could trade profitably w/ all the belligerents.
• The USA and the First World War

  Reasons for US entry into the war

  Support for the Allies - Most Americans supported the Allies and distrusted German motives. British propaganda showing alleged German atrocities was far more effective than German refutations.
• The USA and the First World War

  Reasons for US entry into the war

  Trade - USA traded far more w/ the Allies than w/ Germany and this was enhanced by success of Allied blockade on German ports. E.g., in 1914, USA exported $40 mil in munitions to Britain; in 1916 it was $1.29b.
• The USA and the First World War

  Reasons for US entry into the war

  Unrestricted submarine warfare - Germany practice USW, sinking all ships en route to Britain. It hoped it could thereby starve Britain of supplies and food. Americans were incensed by sinking of British liner Lusitania in Feb 1915, w/ loss of 128 Americans among the 1100 dead. While Germany agreed not to attack US ships as a result, it rescinded the decision in Jan 1917.
• The USA and the First World War

  Reasons for US entry into the war

  The Zimmerman Note - March 1917 British intelligence intercepted the Zimmerman Note in which Germany offered to support Mexico if it went to war to win back its lost territories. By 1917, Russia was being defeated by Germany. The USA feared the Allies might be defeated if Germany moved its victorious forces west to supplement existing troops. USA felt it had no choice but to declare war in April 1917.
• The USA and the First World War


  Impact of entry into the war

  Was profound:

  • Growth of gov was rapid
  • War cost $33.5b. Two-thirds of this was raised by loans such as Liberty and Victory loans where people were invited to invest in loans to pay for war effort.
  • Fed gov raised income tax - in 1918 highest level was 77% compared to 7% in 1913. One-third of cost of war was raised by taxation.
  • Railroads were run as single co-ordinate system to facilitate efficient movement of troops and supplies.
• The USA and the First World War

  Wartime governance

  In spring 1918, Congress gave Pres Wilson draconian powers over political and economic life of the nation:

  • A War Industries Board was set up to control and direct war effort.
  • Massive incentives were given to farmers to take more land into production; food exports to Allies countries tripled in size.
• The USA and the First World War

  Wartime governance 2

  • The 1917 Espionage Act made it illegal to send literature deemed seditious or opposing the war effort through US mail. It could be punishable by 20 years' imprisonment or fines up to $10,000. Critics said Espionage Act too imprecise: 1918 Sedition Act strengthened it.
  • 1918 Sedition Act made it illegal to criticise the gov or the USA.
• The USA and the First World War


  The Great Migration

  The Great Migration of AA from the South to the Northern cities gathered pace. More than 500,000 moved to find war work during years 1914 to 1918. AA pop of NY rise from 92,000 to 152,000 and that of Detroit from 5,000 to 41,000.
• The USA and the First World War


  Women

  There was no mass mobilisation of women for war effort. Their role was mainly limited to selling war bonds and sending comforts to troops abroad. Only 6000 were engaged in aircraft manu. Labour unions opposed the wartime recruitment of women cos they felt they would depress wages.