FSOT: World War I

U.S. Neutrality

President Woodrow Wilson’s philosphy to stay out of WWI so that he could sevrve as a mediator to broker peace and maintain freedom to trade with both Central and Allies forces.

Woodrow Wilson

The 28th President of the United States; his post-war plans were seen as too idealistic for Britain and France who believed their countries had been more involved and damaged in the war; they wanted Germany to pay for the damage done in the war; Wilson was also too individualistic throughout World War I which created political tension back home.

Fourteen Points

President Wilson’s series of idealistc goals for the post-war world. It included self-determination for colonial subjects, reduction in military spending, international ban on secret treaties.

His 14th point called for a general association of nations to guarantee political independence and territorial integrity for all states. This vision led directly to the creation of the League of Nations.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace document that officially ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers at the end of World War I; Signed on June 28, 1919.

Germany had to pay reperations to help build victors’ countries.

Germany was also required to dismember a majority of its military and colonies to ensure they will pose no future threat to peace.

There was also the War Guilt Clause that required Germany to claim full responsbility for the war.

League of Nations

The first worldwide intergovernmental organization created to maintain world peace. It was founded in 1920 at the Paris Peace Conference. It was later dissolved in 1946 and replaced by the United Nations.

Why did the US not join the League of Nations?

US Senators feared the League of Nations could drag the US into conflict without their approval, which would go against the US Consitution which grants Congress the sole power of declaring war.

Why did World War I break out in Europe?

The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 by a Serbian nationalist.

Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the attack and saw it as a chance to crush Serbian nationalism.

At this point, Europe was divided up in military defense alliances:

Russia was the first to mobilize its army to protect Serbia.

Germany was allied with Austria-Hungary. It viewed Russian mobilization as an act of war and declared war on Russia, as well as Russia's ally, France.

Great Britain entered the conflict after Germany invaded neutral Belgium to attack France.

Who were the Central Powers?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire

Who were the Allied Powers?

Great Britain, France, Russia (and later Italy)

Why did the US ultimately decide to break neutrality and enter World War I?

The first reason is because the US had tigther economic relationships with Allied nations. This is because Allied powers purchased US goods at a higher rate and because US banks loaned Allied forces billions to support their war effort.

The second reason is because of Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare that violated internatitonal laws for warfare for attacking British ships without first surfacing and allowing civilians to disembark.

The third reason was because of the Zimmerman Telegram, which saw Germany resume the use of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 after signing an agreement with President Wilson that would stop doing so.

What were U-boats?

German military submarines used extensively during World War I and World War II to disrupt enemy shipping and supply lines.

Lusitania

A 1915 German attack of a British passenger ship that was loaded with both passengers and ammunition for Great Britian. Over 1,250 died including 128 Americans, which outraged the American public.

What was the justification behind the Zimmerman Telegram

Germany thought that if they attacked Allies quick enough, they could end the war before the US mobilized and entered the conflict. To do this, Germany sent a telegram to Mexico that was intercepted by the British that detailed Germany offered to ally with Mexico. If Mexico joined and the Central Powers won the war, Mexico would regain all of its territory lost in the Mexican-American War.

What was Woodrow Wilson’s arguments for involving the US in World War I?

To make the world “safe for democracy” → Wilson wanted to play a signficant role in shaping the post-war order that featured liberal economic and political principles.

This idea gained more urgency as the Russian Revolution was taking place in 1917 and the Communist Bolsheviks were in power.

How did the US mobilize for war?

Congress passed the Selective Service Act in 1917 which built up an army of about 3 million through a compulsory draft. This took time so the US’s efforts weren’t felt until 1918.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

1 million US and French soliders spread along the western front and pressed German soliders to their breaking point.

Hundred Days Offensive

Allied offensive that resulted into German defeat and the end of World War I.

What was the impact of the War Guilt Clause into World War II?

It was a national humiliation that would ultimately give rise to the Nazi Party in the following decade.

What was President Wilson’s conflict with the US Senate?

Wilson did not include any senators in the treaty negotiations when drafting the Treaty of Versailles. So when it came for a vote in the Senate, Senators refused to ratify it.

Why did the League of Nations fail?

1. No US membership

2. Lack of enforcement

3. It failed to stop key aggressions in the 1930s, such as the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and the Italian invasion of Ethiopia.

   
   

It ceased operations and was replaced by the United Nations on April 19, 1946.