SS8H8 Analyze Georgia’s participation in important events that occurred Camp Benning-near Columbus, opened in 1917 and trained
trained infantry
from World War I through the Great Depression
a. Describe Georgia’s contributions to World War I.
Georgia's involvement in The Great War (WWI)
Chapter 21, pages 96-97 in Yellow Workbook
President Woodrow Wilson wanted to keep America out of the war among
the European nations. However, after a series of actions against the U.S. by
Germany, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany in
April, 1917. Until they declared war, the U.S. was neutral. They were able
to trade with both sides. This was known as “freedom of the seas”. Great
Britain didn’t like the fact that the U.S. was also trading with Germany and
setting explosives in the North Sea. Germany used submarine warfare to
sink the ships trading with the British.
In May 1915, the British ocean liner The Lusitania was sunk off the coast of
Ireland. 128 Americans were killed. President Wilson warned Germany to
stop violating international law and German apologized and stopped
submarine warfare for fear the U.S. would enter the war on the side of the
British.
The U.S. was bombarded with anti-German propaganda and the American
people began to side with the British (who needed food and war supplies
from the U.S.).
In early 1917, the German resumed their submarine warfare and sunk
several U.S. ships.
Zimmerman Telegram- Germany sent a telegram to Mexico urging them to
attack the United States and in return they would regain southwest United
States. The telegram was intercepted by the British who told the U.S.
President Wilson asked congress to declare war on Germany. Once war
was declared, between 85,000 and 100,000 Georgians joined the armed
forces.
Triple Entente- Russia, France, Great Britain
Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary
troops. It became Fort Benning in 1922.
Fort McPherson- near Atlanta, housed captured German submarine crew
during the war.
Camp Gordon- near August, later became Fort Gordon.
These military facilities were a major factor in Georgia’s economy.
Ways Georgia contributed to the war effort:
1) Textile Mills made fabric for military uniforms
2) Railroads carried arms, ammunition, and soldiers to ports where
ships waited to sail to Europe.
3) Farmers grew more food crops, tobacco, and livestock.
4) Town residents planted “victory gardens” to raise their own
vegetables so there would be more food for the military.
5) Women volunteered for the Red Cross, to welcome soldiers, to
knit, and to help sell bonds.
3,000 Georgians died in the war. On 11/11/18 at 11:00 am, an armistice
was signed and the war ended. For years after, Georgians and the rest of
the nation rang church bells and held ceremonies at the 11 th hour of the
11th day of the 11th month to commemorate victory and peace.
Which countries were allies in WWI?
Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States
What was the “final blow” for President Wilson that led to his asking
Congress to declare war? After a series of actions against the U.S. by Germany. Germany sent a telegram to
Mexico urging them to attack the United States and in return they would regain
southwest United States. The telegram was intercepted by the British who told the U.S.
Where in GA did the infantry train?
Camp Benning-near Columbus, opened in 1917 and trained infantry troops. It became Fort Benning in 1922.
What was the date of the armistice?
11/11/18 at 11:00 am
What is propaganda?
the spreading of information in support of a cause
What was the name of the British liner that was sunk?
The Lusitania
How many Georgians died in WWI?
130 or something