WW1

Main causes of WWI

Imperialism, Militarism, Nationalism, Alliances

Allied Powers

England, France, Russia and later US and Italy

Central Powers

Germany, A-H, Ottoman empire and Bulgaria

The Assassination

Archduke of A-H shot, sparked conflict and secret alliances came to light

Naval Warfare

Blockades & U-Boats- Britain blockaded Germany and cut off supplies, Germany used submarines to fight the navy

Election of 1916

Woodrow Wilson won the 1916 election by promising to stay out of the war but ultimately enter war in 1917

Selective Service Act

Military draft, males 18-35 were drafted for the military but could opt out for medical reasons, if they are the main providers for the family, etc.

New Warfare technologies

Tanks, machine guns, poison gas, planes, U-boats and newer artillery

Paris Peace Conference

Meeting with US, Italy, France and Britain to discuss peace. Germany, central powers and Russia are not invited

The Big Four

Leaders from the US (Woodrow Wilson), Britain (Lloyd George), France (Clemenceau) and Italy (Orlando), they participated at the Peace Conference

14 Points

Wilson's plan for success, focused on free trade, league of nations and putting the past behind

Senate rejections of Versailles

Senate did not ratify treaty of Versailles and leaders thought a league of nations would drag US into other wars so US never ended up becoming part of the LON

Neutrality

Before 1917, US was neutral to avoid tension and conflict and to benefit by trading with both sides

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty ending WWI. Heavily punished Germany with limits of military, reparations and land loss

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by German U-boats in 1915. Killed some Americans and caused anger of US toward Germany

Reasons for U.S. Entry into WWI

U-boat attacks, Zimmerman note, need to make things right

Espionage and Sedition Acts

Laws that punished people for interfering with the war or speaking against the war or government.

Improvements for Women

Gained opportunities in factories and other industries while the men are fighting. Helped pave the way for women's suffrage

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's plan to avoid a two front war- attack France through Belgium real quick and Russia will be too slow so well get them too. This plan failed

"War of Attrition"

Strategy where each side tries to wear the other down with losses

Zimmerman Note

Secret message from Germany to Mexico asking for Mexico to attack the US if they were to go to war. Made US angry

Trench Warfare

New style of fighting, soldiers fought and lived in trenches, caused stalemates, huge casualties and slow battles

Gavrilo Princip/Black Hand

Gavrilo is a Serbian nationalist from the Black hand group that assassinated Franz Ferdinand and started this whole war

War Industries Board

US agency that coordinated industrial production for the war. Factories focused on supporting the military

Bernard Baruch

Leader of War industries board

Committee on Public Information

US agency that spread propaganda to support the war

Film- 1917

shows problems soldiers faced, reality of fighting conditions, ethical problems, trench warfare, etc.