America and the Great War and the New Era

¶ … America and the Great War" and "The New Era"

Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation. Vol. 2: A Concise History of the American People .4th Edition. McGraw-Hill 2004.

What were the causes of WWI in Europe in 1914? Why was President Wilson so reluctant for the U.S. To get involved until 1917 and what finally put the U.S. "over the edge" and decide to enter the conflict directly?

Nationalism, imperialism, and secret treaties all played a role in the instigation of WWI in Europe, but President Wilson was initially reluctant to become involved, because of a long history of American isolationism in regards to entangling European affairs, particularly the secret alliances that stimulated the conflict. His refusal to involve the U.S. In WWI became a crucial part of his re-election campaign. But President Wilson began to protest German violations of American neutrality more vehemently in his public rhetoric than British violations, partly because of the American's greater sympathy for British ideology of democracy and the Allies war cause, as well as Britain's profitable exchange of arms with America. The final sinking of the Lusitania that took American lives propelled the U.S. into the conflict, with increased public support.

What part did technology play in the horrible amount of death and casualties in WWI? What evidence supports the claim that in WWI, navies had become the most modern part of military warfare?

The misuse of the new military technology of machine guns resulted in the abuses of trench warfare and the deaths of millions of young men. The incompetence of generals both escalated casualties as well as created a more important aspect of naval warfare, whereby ships were more quickly and secretly sunk, and battles were decided more decisively.

How did the government create domestic support for the war? Do you believe the United States could have avoided direct involvement in WWI? Explain.

Although initially opposed to a military buildup, by the end of 1915 Wilson came to support preparedness for war, and the ideology of making the world safe for democracy, combined with trust that the administration was not pro-war by nature, rallied support in America against supposedly militarist Germany -- an nation whose refusal to stop attacking American ships via submarines further incited tensions and made Americans ready to buy war cabbage rather than sauerkraut, as well as liberty bonds to finance the war. Earlier diplomatic intervention before the conflict broke out in Europe, or greater neutrality may have prevented the need for such direct involvement, but things had gone too far.

What part did European imperialism play in the reasons for the start of WWI?

Without the colonial conflicts between the European powers, and the secret treaties used to instill security, and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, the forces of imperialism exacerbated the tensions that gave rise to the European conflict.

How did WWI affect African-Americans and race relations?

African-Americans were empowered by their valorous participation in the war, but African-Americans were also angered by the ideology of a world being made safe for democracy when their own government denied them full de facto democratic participation in their own electoral system, especially in the South. In the first few years after World War I, relations between the races in America were generally characterized by extreme resentment, riots, and numerous lynchings. The great migration refers to the amount of Blacks who came to the Midwest, fleeing such anger and hostility in the Southern states, in particular.

Based on the terrible toll of human life lost in WWI (over ten million dead) the war was called "The War To End All Wars." This was obviously not the case. Why do you think humanity continues to engage in war?

A desire for imperial control, to exercise untamed capitalist dominance, and the machinations of diplomats and the war machine that were present in World War I still remain in action today.

Why was American economic production and growth so successful during the 1920s? What were its strengths and weaknesses?

America entered the war relatively late, in comparison to Europe -- and thus was more economically viable to continue its industry, after a war that was not fought on its soil, and able to exploit European vulnerability in a post war world. The automobile boom and various technological breakthroughs created widespread economic expansion of opportunities for ordinary American workers -- but also the agricultural malaise of the 1920s.

What was the status of labor during the 1920s?

Welfare capitalism by the creator of the assembly line system of Henry Ford was attempted to replace socialistic unions such as the International Workers of the World, but largely failed. Labor as a force was largely kept in check by government regulation, and hampered with its taint of pacifism and socialism from the previous era, although the booming economy created improved conditions for American laborers as a whole, although not in a long-standing fashion, but only in a temporary manner.