Military History - Test 3

A New Manifest Destiny

The late-19th-century U.S. movement toward overseas expansion and empire-building leading into the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War

The 1898 conflict between the U.S. and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories like the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Pro-Imperialism Arguments

Supported empire as a status symbol, Guaranteed source of raw materials, Guaranteed market for manufactured items, “Duty to civilize”, God Approves

Anti-Imperialism Arguments

Opposed empire due to cost, Source of possible wars, Rebellions when natives reject “superior” culture, God Disapproves

U.S. Military Problems 1898

Only 10 000 active troops, No Troop Transport, Inadequate medical and logistic support

Theodore Roosevelt

Assistant Secretary of the Navy turned Rough Rider who resigned to fight in Cuba; called McKinley’s backbone “a chocolate éclair.”

Battle of San Juan

Major 1898 engagement in Cuba where U.S. forces captured San Juan Hill

Treaty of Paris 1899

Ended the Spanish-American War granting Cuban independence and transferring territories to the U.S.

Teller Amendment (1898)

Enacted on April 20, 1898, Promised U.S. would not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American war, affirming Cuba’s right to independence

Platt Amendment (1903)

Gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba, aimed to protect Cuba’s independence from foreign intervention, and required leasing Guantanamo Bay for a naval base.

First World War (1914–1918)

A global conflict primarily in Europe, fought between the Central Powers and the Allies. It was caused by nationalism, militarism, imperial rivalries, and a complex alliance system.

Nationalism (WWI cause)

Essentially, in Balkan states of S.E. Europe, tremendous ethnic and religious diversity that often leads to armed conflicts

Militarism (WWI cause)

The arms buildup and glorification of war, especially the naval arms race between Britain and Germany

Alliance System

Network dividing Europe into the Triple Entente (France-Britain-Russia) and Triple Alliance (Germany-Austria-Hungary-Italy).

Triple Entente, later know as the Allies

Alliance of France, Britain, and Russia; France and Russia also had a mutual mobilization agreement

Triple Alliance, later known as the Central Powers

Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (soon joined by the Ottoman Empire aka Turkey)

The Spark of WWI

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip on June 28 1914.

Blank Check

Unconditional German pledge of support to Austria-Hungary against Serbia

German Invasion of Belgium (1914)

Triggered Britain’s entry into the war because Belgium’s neutrality was guaranteed by treaty.

Schlieffen Plan

German strategy to defeat France in < 6 weeks via Belgium before turning on Russia; caused British intervention.

Sir Douglas Haig

British commander-in-chief on the Western Front known for major offensives like the Somme.

Joseph Joffre

French commander during the early years of WWI; later succeeded by Ferdinand Foch.

Ferdinand Foch

French general who became Allied Supreme Commander in 1918.

John J. Pershing

Commander of the American Expeditionary Force during WWI.

Paul von Hindenburg

East German military officer who led the German Army during World War I

Erich Ludendorff

East German general; key architect of the 1918 offensives and later political figure.

Helmuth von Moltke (Younger)

West German general who modified and weakened the original Schlieffen Plan.

Erich von Falkenhayn

West German commander after Moltke; led during Verdun.

Aleksei Brusilov

Russian general famous for the 1916 Brusilov Offensive against Austria-Hungary.

Submarines (U-boats)

German undersea craft used to sink ships and disrupt Allied supply lines.

Anthony Fokker

Dutch engineer who invented the interrupter gear allowing machine guns to fire through propeller arcs.

Economic Impact of WWI

Europe’s economies collapsed

Casualties of WWI

Approx. 10 million soldiers killed

Battle of Mons (1914)

Early British defense that slowed the German advance.

The Battle of the Somme (1916)

A Battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and the French Republic against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916; over 1.2 million casualties for 7 miles gained.

American Neutrality (1914)

Most Americans wanted to stay out of the war 3,000 miles away; shared culture linked U.S. to Britain.

Woodrow Wilson narrowly defeated Charles Evan Hughes campaigning on neutrality.

1916 Election

Sussex Pledge (1916)

Germany’s promise to limit submarine warfare if Britain lifted its blockade; later broken.

Zimmerman Note (1917)

German telegram proposing an alliance with Mexico to regain Texas and other lost territories in exchange for military support against the United States.

U.S. Declaration of War (1917)

Wilson asked Congress April 2 1917 to enter WWI “to make the world safe for democracy.”

Five German Pushes (1918)

Series of spring offensives: 1^st Operation Micheal, 2nd Operation Georgette, 3rd Operation Blucher, 4th Operation Gneisenau, 5th Operation Hagen.

Belleau Wood (1918)

Hard-fought U.S. Marine battle near Chateau-Thierry; key American victory.

Chateau-Thierry (1918)

U.S. and French forces halted German advance toward Paris.

Austria-Hungary surrendered Nov 3; revolts forced Germany to sign the Armistice at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, or the eleventh month

German Collapse (1918)

Fourteen Points

President Wilson’s peace plan. It included: No secret treaties, Freedom of the Seas, More free trade, Reduction of arms, Less colonialism, and A League of Nations to promote peace through collective security 

League of Nations

International body proposed by Wilson to ensure collective security and prevent future wars.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Peace treaty ending WWI — blamed Germany

War Guilt Clause

Forced Germany to accept full responsibility for WWI.

War Debt Clause

Required Germany to pay massive reparations

Treaty of Versailles Army Limitations

Germany restricted to 100 000 troops

Schlieffen Plan / Battle of the Frontiers

German strategy to encircle France via Belgium; initial battles of 1914 tested it and failed to secure Paris.

Battle of Tannenberg (1914)

German victory in East Prussia over Russia; destroyed Russian Second Army.

Battle of the Marne (1914)

Allied counter-offensive that stopped German advance on Paris

Gavrilo Princip

Serbian nationalist and member of the secret group Black Hand who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914—an act that sparked the start of World War I.