First World War Flashcards
Why America joined the war
US economic ties with GB and France German U-Boats attack of Lusitania Germany then continuing U-Boat campaign Protection of liberal democracy Zimmermann Telegram
Reason for war 1
US economic ties
By April 1917 US had loaned GB and France 2.3 billion.
Huge investment to be protected
Reason for war 2
German u boats
May 1915 boat Lusitania was attached and 128 Americans died
Led to American support for entering the war
Wilson got a guarantee from the Germans that they would top unrestricted submarine warfare
Reason for war 3
German continuing u boat campaign
Jan 1917 G decided the US was supporting the allies (loans trade etc) and so resumed the campaign
Wilson cut all diplomatic ties after this (Feb 1917)
Reason for war 4
Protection of Liberal Democracy
German victory would undermine liberal democracy
And US wanted to be able to determine peace and felt it could only do this if it got involved
Reason for war 5
Zimmermann Telegram
Sent from German foreign secretary to German ambassador in Washington 1917
Intercepted by Britain
Detailed how unrestricted submarine warfare was to begin and that they expected war with US
Effect the war had on the Economy
Trade
Loans
Army
Govt spending
Effect on economy 1
Trade
1913 American income from trade was about $2 bill by 1916 it was almost $6 billion
By late 1916 GB was spending about 10 mill a day in US trade
Effect on economy 2
Loans
GB relied on US loans raised in NY and were being raised by 4 mill a day
US replaced GB as the most important creditor in the world
NY became financial capital
Effect on economy 3
Army
Selective service act 1917- all men had to register and those to be dragged were chosen by lottery. By the end of the war nearly 3 mill had been drafted
The army had to be supplied and equipped which boosted the economy
War industries board set up 1917- organised supplies and was the first time the Govt had taken a role in directing economic development
Effect on economy 4
Govt spending
Growth in spending-in 1816 it was 1.5% of GNP; by 1918 it was 24.1% of GNP
How they paid for the war
Used 2 main methods
Taxation
Liberty bonds
Taxation
Raised a third of revenue needed
Introduced at a rate of 1%-7% of income and paid only be the wealthiest 1%
1916 Revenue Act-rates of taxation were doubled 2%-15% of income. Also introduced taxes on estates and business profits
Liberty Bonds
Issued from May 1917
Bonds sold to public to support war effort
Could be redeemed later with interest
5 campaigns raised more than $21 billion
Positive consequences of the war
Part 1
Exports rose
Industrial production rose by 39% between 1916-1918
Number of employed grew by 1.3 million and unemployment virtually disappeared
Levels of real wages were higher
Positive consequences of the war
Part 2
US farms increased export of food to Europe by 300% and a doubling of prices from 1913 to 1918
America became a creditor nation
Negative Consequences of the War
112,500 Americans died
National Debt increased by 658% between 1916-1919 (over 27 billion)
Tax levels remained high (not as high as wartime)
Demobilisation led to post-war slow down of economy and a brief recession in 1920-1921
Political and social consequences of the war
Strengthened power of Federal Govt Limits on personal freedom Prohibition Intolerance of foreigners Enfranchisement of women
P+S consequences of war
Strengthened power of Fed Govt
Involved in economy to unprecedented level
Railroad Administration created standardised national system
Fuel Administration set limits on prices of oil and coal
National War Labour Board-worked with unions which strengthened their power (collective bargaining)
P+S consequences of war
Limits of personal freedom
Espionage Act of 1917-became illegal to attempt to obstruct military recruitment and to encourage disloyalty
Sedition Act of 1918-made it illegal to discourage people from buying war bonds or verbally attacking the constitution band the war effort
P+S consequences of war
Prohibition
Lever Act of 1917-curtailed use of grain+reduced the alcohol content of beer
Prohibition Act of 1918-stopped the sale+manufacture of alcoholic drinks during the war
18th Amendment-made it permanent
Volstead Act of 1919-making illegal the sale, transportation and manufacturing of any beverage containing over 0.5% alcohol
P+S consequences of war
Intolerance of Foreigners
And any dissenters of prevailing mood
Patriotism quickly became prejudice
Sauerkraut renamed Liberty cabbage
P+S consequences of war
Enfranchisement of women
New York gave women the vote in 1917
19th Amendment 1918-passed providing votes for women nationwide
Passed through senate in 1920s
Impact:
Preparedness programme
Acknowledgement that US had to prepare for the possibility of war (Wilson had declared US neutral)
Established regular army of 250,000 with enough officers to command an army of 1,500,000
Authorised immediate action to make US navy 2nd only to GB + the building of permanent munitions being built
Congress created Council of National Defence in 1916
