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The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
Archduke Ferdinand was shot when he was touring Bosnia. Ferdinand was in a parade in Sarajevo at the time. He was the heir to the throne in Austria-Hungary. He was assassinated by the Black Hand, who was a group of Serbian Nationalist who were upset with Austria because the had been encroaching on the their borders and taking land.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/100-years-since-the-assassination-of-archduke-franz-ferdinand-the-shot-that-sparked-the-first-world-9570029.html -
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World War I
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Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was a british ocean liner. It was carry 128 Americans as well as well Rifle Ammunition and shotgun shells It was going to Liverpool England from New York City. This ship was torpedoed by German U Boats. Upset the USA. In response the Germans stopped the practice of Unrestricted submarine warfare to appease the USA and keep them out of the war. -
National Defense Act
The National Defense Act was signed by Woodrow Wilson. This Act expanded the size of the National Guard and guaranteed its status as the nation’s permanent reserve force. It brought the states’ militias more under federal government control and gave the president jurisdiction to provide for the National Guard. National Guard Officers attended Army Schools which led to the adoption of the ROTC.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-president-woodrow-wilson-signs-national-defense-act -
USS Housatonic Sunk
A German Commander was quoted “You are carrying foodstuffs to an enemy of my country, and though I am sorry, it is my duty to sink you” -
US Breaks Diplomatic ties with Germany
President Wilson broke off relations with the nation of Germany due to their move towards the policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, blocking off Britain. Germany initiated unrestricted submarine warfare to keep the United States out of the war.
https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/feb-3-1917-u-s-breaks-relations-with-germany-plans-to-declare-war/ -
Selective Service Act
Otherwise known as the draft. This document gave the president the power to have all eligible men sign up for the draft. Then at random these young men would be drafted to fight in the war. This was very unpopular among many americans. Some spoke out and said it was a violation of the 1st amendment
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-congress-passes-selective-service-act -
First LIberty Loan
A Liberty Loan is any of the five bond issues of the United States government floated World War One. The First Liberty Loan Bond Act was passed by the Congress on the 24th of April and began to be put to play in June of 1917. Liberty Loans were a part of the government to assist selling war bonds to provide money after the war.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/liberty-loan
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1317532 -
Lever Food and Fuel Control Act
This bill allowed the government to nationalize private industry. This allowed the government to control and regulate the production of food and goods and control of business storage facilities. This gave the federal government an extreme amount of power. It was challenged in court and went to supreme court, and law was supported by the U.S. Supreme Court.
https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/lever-food-control-act -
War Revenue Act
Otherwise known as the 16th amendment. This bill increased the income taxes of american citizens everywhere. Ranging anywhere from 1% to 7%. This was a change in the paradigm. The bill also added new taxes for threm business and new rules for them to follow. -
Second Liberty Loan
The First Liberty Loan was followed by another the following November. This bond selling was influenced mostly by propaganda. For instance artist Fred Strothmann produced the work “Beat back the Hun with Liberty Bonds.” His intention was to encourage Americans to raise and save money to help war effort.
http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/liberty-bonds.htm -
Railroads are Nationalized
Nationalization is when a government takes control of a company or industry. This often happens when Industries are struggling financially.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nationalization.asp -
The Introduction of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Unrestricted submarine warfare was first to be introduced when Germany declared the area associated around the British Isles a war zone. It began in 1914 to 1915 which means Germany used open fire. Unrestricted began again 1917 and ended in 1918. All merchant ships including neutral countries was attacked by German navy.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-resumes-unrestricted-submarine-warfare -
US Declares War
The USA Declares war on Germany and backs the Allies. The Senate had a vote of 82 to 6. After the Zimmerman telegram and the sinking of the Lousinatin ia the American Population wanted to fight. Morale for war was high. -
The Creation of the War Industries Board
The War industries Boards' (WIB) purpose of this organization was to establish military and naval requirements, and coordinate the process, or production of the war materials, and the purchase of war supplies. The organization ended up being successful, they addressed the issues by encouragement, which led to an increase in the amount of mass production around the companies.
http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/war-industries-board.htm -
The Maximum Price for Steel
Steel price was of a dollar and twenty five cents for one hundred pounds in 1912, but rose to 3.49 by the year 1917. (1 To convert to dollars per metric ton, multiply by 22.0462.)
https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/metal_prices/metal_prices1998.pdf (63) -
Fourth Liberty Loan
The most affordable one yet. Offered a return rate on them for buying the bond
By the time that all was said and done the us raised about a total of 17 billion dollars for the war effort.
https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/liberty_bonds -
German takes the Western Front
The Germans launch the attack on the western front. This is also known as the schlieffen plan. They wanted to mobilize quickly and take France by going through Belgium. They engaged at this time because the German military knew it would take the Russian time to organize. By attacking the west now they would not have to fight a two sided war. However they cannot defeat GB’s navy and they are forced to fight a two front war; dividing their resources. -
American Expeditionary Force
General John J. Pershing lead the first offensive tour in Europe. They helped liberate an part of France that was occupied by the Germans.The campaign was a success.
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_pershing_1.html -
Battle of the Belleau Wood
The outcome of the Battle of Belleau Wood was attacks from the Germans which led to close to 10,000 dead, wounded or missing. German General Erich Ludenforff’s determination didn’t stop so he defeated the U.S forces with machine guns, artillery and gas.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-belleau-wood-begins -
Second Battle of the Marne
American soldiers began to be called Doughboys during World War I. A doughboy refers to troops deployed to Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. There are theories of how the nickname was created. In other words the basis of the nickname was given to those who fought in the Great War.
https://www.history.com/news/why-were-americans-who-served-in-world-war-i-called-doughboys -
Battle of Meuse-Argonne
The Battle of Meuse-Argonne was a closing point in the war. The Allies had captured more than 23,000 German prisoners in the day and by night 10,000 more. The Germans began to have a weaker resistance, they were fading out. THis led to 32 kilometers of travel, and the armistice was announced.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/meuse-argonne-offensive-opens -
Armistice
The armistcance, or a truce was signed in November of 1918.
The fourteen points was a list of rules and ideals put forth by the United States. Woodrow Wilson wrote these points himself. The 14th and possibly most significant said that a league of nations should be formed. This would prevent other wars from starting. However the United states did not end up joining. This was a direct cause of Wilson bringing an all democrat group to the conference in Versaille.
