World War I

Overview

World War I was a global conflict lasting from 1914 to 1918. The conflict involved fighting on land, sea, and air. Millions of soldiers suffered casualties and deaths worldwide because of the new, destructive technology used during the war. The war was fought between two sides: the Central Powers and the Allies. The Allies included the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Russia. The Central Powers involved Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. World War One led to many changes in the U.S. Government, mainly in the equality and rights of its citizens. This shows how World War I directly intersects with civics. Civics is the rights and duties of citizenship, and WWI led to many changes in this category and many fights for equality. 

Us Government Impact 

World War I significantly impacted the US government, leading to many changes in it. It expanded the federal power of the government. The war led to them having more government control and regulation of the economy and society to mobilize the resources. These changes laid the groundwork for the federal government's increased intervention in citizens' lives. It also led to military expansion as they needed the Selective Service Act of 1917. This act increased the US armed forces by using a draft. They eventually had to use this as the US interests were too close to those of the Allies, and they needed to go into war. There were also numerous financial changes; wartime led to increased war expenses and loans to allies, resulting in a rise in public debt. It also caused the US to shift from isolationism as it emerged from a pre-war isolationist stance to a major global player. The war also changed the US into an economic powerhouse. The war caused lots of economic growth, leading to industrial production and exports. 

Why US Entered War

The US entered the war for three main reasons. The first reason was the German unrestricted submarine warfare. This involved sinking merchant ships without warning or knowing whose, including the United States' (RMS Lusitania). This led to public outrage and loss of American lives. The second reason was the ZimmermanTelegram. British intelligence intercepted a telegram from the Germans to Mexico. This message proposed an alliance if the US entered the war. This led to public outrage and caused more tension in the United States. The last reason included public pressure, safety concerns, and outrage. The United States had been threatened twice by the Germans, and they wanted to fight back. The public wanted to get back at Germany and eventually pressured the president into joining the war. 

War Ending

The war ended on November 11, 1918, because Germany was bereft of manpower and supplies and was facing an imminent invasion. Germany and the Allied Powers signed an armistice concluding the war. However, a formal peace treaty called the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. This treaty imposed Harsh terms on Germany, which many believe led to instability in Europe, leading to World War II. World War 1 contained millions of casualties for all sides, and the main reason for this was the new technology used during the war. For the first time, machine guns and Artillery were put in use, which increased the lethality of the war. Other new technologies were artillery, tanks, aircraft, chemical warfare, submarines, communications, and medical advances. All of these new technologies changed the war, making it one of the first modern mechanized industrial wars. 

Impact on Rights

World War I was incredibly impactful on the rights and liberties of people. The most impactful event from World War I was on the Women's Suffrage Movement. During the war, women significantly contributed because of this, they felt they deserved full citizen rights, like voting. After their wartime service, President Woodrow Wilson supported the Women’s Rights Movement and argued that women deserved the right to vote. The Women’s Suffrage Movement and protests eventually led to the passing of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. It also influenced the African American civil rights movement. African American citizens served in the war and argued  they also deserved citizen rights. The war also led to the Great Migration, with many African American people moving to northern places in search of jobs and to escape racism. World War I had lasting impacts that led to Civil Rights activism and more and more people joining the movement in the hope of citizen rights for African Americans and women. 

Conclusion

World War I changed the world, and it's important to learn from its mistakes as well as the things that worked during it. World War I caused lasting changes to our world, like voting rights, as well as ones that affected us negatively, like World War II. This war was called “The Great War” and was sonsidered the war to end all wars. Individuals can learn about the hardships and struggles women and African Americans went through to earn the right to vote and the liberties that we are just born with. After learning about this, we should honor them and continue to vote to support them and their sacrifices. World War I should still be studied today because thousands of people died, as well as the fact that it has shaped our world into what it is today. Without this war, women would have had a more challenging journey to suffrage, and African Americans would have had even more barriers to be treated equally.