What event is generally considered to be what started WW1?
June 28th, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia
Austria declared war on
Serbia
Russia Declares War on
Austria-Hungary
Germany Declares War on
Russia
France Declares War on
Germany
What was the Schlieffen plan?
Germany will attack France first,
(Quickly) then turn to face Russia
(Like Baseball Batter who kicks the Catcher before fighting the Pitcher!)
Germany invaded France by taking a shortcut through
Belgium
Who promised to help Belgium and sent troops to fight?
The British
What happened when Germany invaded France and tried to capture Paris?
They got bogged down in trench warfare and were unable to get to France
How did Great Britain try to “strangle” Germany?
The British Navy would not allow trade ships to bring supplies into German ports
How did Germany retaliate against Britain?
They sunk British trade ships with U boats. However, America continued to give supplies to Britain, so Germany began to attack American boats too
Which American ship did Germany sink? How many Americans died?
The Lusitania- 1,260 dead
Which president began preparing America for war?
Woodrow Wilson
Germany began unrestricted _ warfare
Submarine
What system saved the British fleet?
They began protecting the transport ships with large destroyers
What was the name of the letter that Germany sent to Mexico asking them to attack the US?
Zimmermann Telegram
Wilson’s speech: "For the ultimate peace of the world and the liberation of its peoples . . .the World must be safe for_
democracy
"My message was a message of ________________, for our young men."
death- He thought it odd that so many people were cheering for it
Who commanded the AEF?
John J Pershing “Black Jack”
Who was drafted into the US army?
Every man between the ages of 21 and 31 was required to register
What does “Vivent les Etats Unis" and "Nous voila, Lafayette!" mean?
Long live the United states- cried by crowds of French cheering for the American reinforcements
Lafayette, we are here!- said by Stanton, alluding to when Lafayette had brought French troops to help the US and saying that they were returning the favor at last
German soldier nickname
American soldier nickname
Doughboys, Yanks
British soldier nickname
Tommies
French soldier nickname
What kinds of weapons were used in the trenches?
Chlorine gas, mustard gas, whizbangs (small, low travelling shells), giant cannons that fired 1 ton shells over 10 miles, rifles, and machine guns
What is Shell-Shock?
When soldiers would become traumatized due to the constant fear and loud sounds- like terrified zombies with glazed eyes and trembling uncontrollably
What new opportunities were there for American women?
Because they were working more, shorter skirts, short hair, and pants became popular. Women became more independent. They had steady jobs and could do what they wanted- they had earned equality through hard work
Explain 3 ways that the American army was unprepared for WWI at the beginning of 1917
Their army was scattered around the globe
The officers had no experience
The weapons were few and outdated
What was the first plane to fly? Who invented it? What year?
Kitty Hawk, Wilbur and Orville Wright, 1903
What was the primary purpose of the first aircraft in WWI?
Scouting, spying on enemy movements, and photographing enemy positions
How did Fokker figure out a way to fire a machine gun through a propeller?
The interrupter gear- would pause gunfire whenever the propeller blade was in the way
How high and fast could WWI planes fly? Compare that to a Modern F-15
F-15: 40,000 lbs and flies at mach 2.5+
WW1: 1,200- 2,000 lbs and flies 70-130 mph
What pets shared the cockpit with the “Knights of the Sky?”
Monkeys and wolfhounds
Who is the Red Baron? Why is he considered the best of all time? How many victories?
Baron Manfred von Richthofen- WW1’s leading ace, he was considered great due to the high number of victories he had- 80
Who was America’s Leading ACE? What was his record?
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker- 26 official victories
Who is Frank Luke and what is balloon busting?
An American air force fighter who took out many balloons. Balloon busting refers to destroying enemy observation balloons.
Why was German morale so gloomy?
Germany is starving because of the British blockade
How many American soldiers were arriving per month? How many would arrive by August?
200,000 a month. 1 million and a half by August
What was the strategic “key to victory?” How where they part of a “jugular vein?” (Hindenburg line?)
The cities were the keys. They were along the railway (behind the German front) which could transport German troops either to the West or back home. The Hindenberg line was all these defenses that the Germans used to protect their railroad.
Where would American forces attack for the biggest battle in American history (up to that time)? How many US troops would fight?
St. Mihiel and half a million Yanks would fight
What was the role of the first tanks?
to get rid of machine guns ahead of them and clear paths of barbed wire
Who was the commander of the Tanks?
What was his nickname?
Major George St. Patton, nicknamed “Old Blood and Guts”
How many planes were part of the attack? What does Blitzkrieg mean?
1,500 planes. It means “Lightning War.”
Who was the assistant commander of the “Rainbow” Infantry Division? What was he known for?
Colonel Douglas MacArthur. Known for his bravery but also his meticulousness for how he looked. He once led men through midnight raids but didn’t wear a gas mask because he considered it undignified and wearing it would ruin his hair.
What happened to the “The Lost Battallion?” Look at the map on page 215… Why were they so far ahead of the front line?
The Lost Battalion had gone past the enemy line accidentally in the Argonne Forest and were soon surrounded by a German regiment. They probably thought it was a miracle they weren’t being fired at and so they just kept going further.
Why was the third day the worst of the siege?
In addition to enemy fire, the troops suffered through heavy “friendly fire.” Artillery rained down on them in their foxholes
Who is “Cher Ami” and how did he help save the lost battalion from friendly fire?
A messenger pigeon who delivered a message telling U.S. pilots to stop their artillery barrage as it was hurting their own troops
Out of the 600 of the Lost Battalion, how many died and how many could walk out?
107 died, 194 could walk out
How did Alvin York earn the Medal of Honor?