Crash Course U.S. History: U.S. Involvement in World War I

Introduction

• Presenter: John Green
• Focus: The impact of U.S. involvement in World War I
• Acknowledgment of military history expectations vs. actual content focus on societal impacts

U.S. Involvement in World War I

• Duration: U.S. involved for 19 months
• Casualties: Estimated 10 million soldiers died overall
• Initial Neutrality: America remained neutral initially due to President Wilson's isolationist stance
• Public Opinion: Mixed; some Americans sided with Britain, but progressives worried war would hinder social reforms

Reasons for U.S. Entry into the War

• Not Immediate Cause: The sinking of the Lusitania wasn’t the direct cause
• Key Reasons:
  • Resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany
  • Zimmermann Telegram, offering Mexico U.S. territory if they joined the war
  • Fall of the Tsarist regime in Russia, supporting Wilson's democratic ideals
  • Financial loans to Britain totaling two billion dollars

Wilson's 14 Points

• Aimed at promoting lasting peace
• Emphasized self-determination, freedom of the seas, and open diplomacy
• Mixed results; largely ignored except for the League of Nations, which the U.S. never joined

U.S. Economic and Military Contribution

• Primary contribution was economic support through arms and money
• Over one million American troops served, aiding in the defeat of Germany
• Notable figures: Ernest Hemingway, served as an ambulance driver

Impact on U.S. Society

• Government Expansion:
  • Selective Service Act expanded the army
  • Creation of agencies regulating production, labor relations, and agriculture
  • War Industries Board set production quotas and prices
• Progressive Measures: Improved wages, working conditions, and union memberships
• Increased Taxes: Wealthiest Americans taxed up to 60%
• Committee on Public Information: Used propaganda to gain public support for the war

Repression and Civil Liberties

• Espionage and Sedition Acts: Restricted free speech and criticism of the war/government
• Notable Cases: Eugene Debs imprisoned for anti-war speech
• Supreme Court Rulings: Upheld restrictions, e.g., Schenck v. U.S.

Social and Cultural Impact

• Americanization Efforts: Schools promoted Anglo-Saxon values
• Anti-Immigrant Sentiment: Heightened during the war, justified by biased IQ tests
• Palmer Raids: Suppressed dissent post-war, led by J. Edgar Hoover

Opportunities and Failures

• Women's Suffrage: Led to the 19th Amendment
• Great Migration: African Americans moved north for industrial jobs
• Ultimate Failure: Treaty of Versailles failed to create lasting peace, leading to WWII

Conclusion

• World War I's impact on U.S. society was profound, shaping government power, civil liberties, and societal roles
• Future Topic: Suffrage and its historical context