World War I & Its Aftermath

I. Introduction

• World War I, also known as the Great War, reshaped global power dynamics, leading to the fall of empires and the rise of new nations.
• The US entered the war in 1917, marking its emergence as a global military power.
• War impacted American progressivism and set the stage for future global conflicts and the Great Depression.

II. Prelude to War

• Rise of the German Empire and the ambitions of Kaiser Wilhelm II challenged European stability.
• Formation of alliances: Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) vs. Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy).
• Tensions in the Balkans with Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist triggered the war.
• US maintained neutrality, focusing on domestic growth and transatlantic trade.

III. War Spreads through Europe

• Germany's Schlieffen Plan led to the invasion of Belgium, causing Britain to enter the war.
• Trench warfare resulted in stalemates and high casualties.
• Russia's withdrawal after the Bolshevik Revolution and Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare escalated the conflict.

IV. America Enters the War

• US declared war on Germany in April 1917.
• The Selective Service Act instituted a draft to build the military.
• Mobilization efforts faced challenges due to the lack of a standing army.
• The war effort included significant contributions from women and minorities, despite segregation and discrimination.

V. On the Homefront

• US economy shifted to support the war; trade with Allies increased significantly.
• Propaganda campaigns promoted patriotism and financial support through war bonds.
• Espionage and Sedition Acts suppressed dissent.

VI. Before the Armistice

• American forces contributed to Allied victories, leading to the German retreat.
• Armistice signed on November 11, 1918.
• The war resulted in massive casualties and a reshaped geopolitical landscape.

VII. The War and the Influenza Pandemic

• 1918 influenza pandemic exacerbated wartime suffering, killing millions globally.
• More soldiers died from the flu than in combat.

VIII. The Fourteen Points and the League of Nations

• President Wilson's Fourteen Points outlined principles for postwar peace.
• The League of Nations was proposed to ensure collective security, but the US did not join.
• Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh reparations on Germany.

IX. Aftermath of World War I

• Redrew European and Middle Eastern maps, creating new nations.
• Ignored calls for self-determination in former Ottoman territories.
• The Russian Revolution and subsequent Red Scare influenced US postwar policies.
• Racial tensions in the US erupted in the Red Summer of 1919.

X. Conclusion

• World War I left a legacy of political and economic instability.
• Set the stage for World War II, the Cold War, and reshaped global order.

XI. Primary Sources

• Documents include President Wilson's war address, Sedition Act, and writings by W.E.B. Du Bois.

XII. Reference Material

• Contributions by various historians and scholars, with suggested readings on World War I and its impact.