Wwi Impact on America Outline

Survey of Jazz

27 October 2011

WWI Impact on America

Allies = the three main countries were Russia, France, and Great Britain

Central Powers = Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Turkish Ottoman Empire

WWI started 1914 and ended in 1918

I. Events leading up to the US entrance into war

a. In 1915 Germans sunk the Lusitania, killing almost 1200 people (128 American)

b. British-controlled transatlantic cable was transmitting information designed to make us sympathize with their side and be outraged by German atrocities.

c. Wilson was reelected as President of the United States in a very close vote

i. Wilson was adamant that we were not going to war during his campaign

ii. His opponent Charles Evans Hughes did not make his position clear on the war

iii. The American people chose Wilson on the implied promise that we were NOT going to enter the war

d. Zimmerman Note

iv. Intercepted by the United States

v. The note was a message from Germany to Mexico saying that if the United States entered the war then they should attack the United States

vi. In compensation for attacking the United States, Germany promised to take back the states Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico

e. Germans were sinking American ships that were taking supplies to Great Britain

II. Impact of WWI on America

f. Caused the country to become intolerant of foreigners

g. Anti Immigration laws were passed which in turn slowed immigration

h. Highly productive industry that preceded the Great Depression

i. Jobs were now being given to woman and this helped pass the nineteenth amendment (gave women the right to vote)

j. Lost nearly 115,000 men

k. Technology experienced a great boost after the war allowing for mass production of certain goods