World War 1

In the beginning of World War 1, the German government declared the sea around the British Isles as war zone, that means, German submarines would destroy every ship of the enemy. In May 1915 a German submarine torpedoed without warning a British Liner with 1200 passengers on board. 128 of the were citizens of the United States. All of them died.

After the 28^th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson sent a massive threat that the German government would be held for "strict accountability" for any loss of American lives or property, the German Government assured not to sink any liners without warning.

Wilson's diplomatic victory not only postponed U.S. intervention in the war but was of political value in Wilson's reelection campaign of 1916. His campaign slogan was "He kept us out of war", with which he was able to win reelection.

In January 1917 the German government broke the contract by declaring that unrestricted submarine warfare would be resumed.

On February 3^rd Wilson broke of all diplomatic relations, and finally after five American vessels had been sunk, and as a result of that,

On April 2^nd he asked(whom?) Congress for a declaration of war (BEMERKUNG to constitution during the lesson).

After Germany's surrender in 1918 Wilson contributed very much to the Paris Peace treaty with his famous fourteen points which were based on the right of self determination and a guarantee of freedom of the seas.

All other allies supported the theory that Germany had to be punished more especially in important issues such as charging Germany with the hole cost of the war.

Wilson's greatest hope for a lasting peace was the foundation of the League of Nations. To achieve that he traded away many of his fourteen points to please the allies so that the League of Nations could be established. Ironically, after the establishment of the League he had to face a predominantly republican senate, he himself was democrat, from which he wasn't able to win ratification. (everybody knows what that means?)

After all this struggle the president's physical and nervous strength were weakened. Nevertheless he was willing to win the fight against the senate, so he traveled throughout the country to win popular support.

In Pueblo, Colorado, on Sept. 25, 1919, he had to give up his tour, because he had suffered a stroke from which he never recovered.

The next presidential election in 1920 the republican candidate Warren G. Harding could win presidency with an overwhelming victory. (and, by the way: This election was the first one in which women were allowed to vote, because Woodrow Wilson added the 19^th amendment to the constitution which allowed women to vote).

After the death of President Wilson and with the beginning of the term of the 29^th President Warren G. Harding a time of isolationism followed. With a republican government conservative policies were predominant.

In the 1020s, private business received substantial encouragement, including construction loans, profitable mail-carrying contracts, and other indirect subsidies.  

Another important change in the politics of the United States was the restriction of immigration.  In 1924 and 1929 two acts passed that limited the annual number of immigrants to 150,000.

Conservative groups fought in 1919 for the much criticized prohibition which came with the 18^th Amendment to the Constitution and was enacted until 1933. (ANMERKUNG ZU DEN PROBLEMEN.)

Another aspect of the 1920 was of course the ongoing prosperity. Golden 20ies etc Especially the auto industry was making amazing profits.

But of course prosperity could not go on forever, and the stock market crash of 1929 was the beginning of the great depression from which Claudia will tell us more.