Chapter 8: World War I

Section 1: The Road to War

Causes of the War

Imperialism: The rise of imperialism led to economic rivalries among European powers. Countries competed for colonies, which heightened tensions.

Militarism: Major countries focused on building larger armies and navies. Armies in Germany, Austria-Hungary, France, and Russia doubled in size. This arms race created a culture of militarism across Europe.

Secret Alliances

  • Triple Alliance (aka Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

  • Triple Entente (aka Allied Powers): Great Britain, Russia, and France .These alliances intended for defense escalated conflicts quickly.

Nationalism:Diverse nationalities within the Austro-Hungarian Empire sought self determination.Ethnic groups such as the Czechs, Serbs, Bosnians, and Poles desired independence.

The Spark: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo triggered conflict and set off alliances leading to involvement from the entirety of Europe.

Consequences of Austria's Declaration of War: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; allies were drawn in quickly. Germany, Austria-Hungary’s ally declares war on Russia and France. Britain declares war on Germany

Trench Warfare: Characterized by both sides occupying deep trenches to protect from gunfire. Common on the Western Front. After years of fighting, war becomes stalemate, where neither side can win.

Section 2: Americans Prepare for War

America the Neutral: The U.S. remained neutral for three years; President Wilson's slogan: “He kept us out of war".

Lusitania Incident: British cruise ship sunk by Germany in 1915, killing 1200 people, including 128 Americans.

German U-boat Attacks: Sinking of American trade ships would pull the U.S. into the war.

Zimmerman Telegram: Alleged German proposal to Mexico to enter war against the U.S. Contributed to American outrage towards Germany.

U.S. Enters World War I:"The world must be made safe for democracy." - Woodrow Wilson. U.S. declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.

Mobilizing the Military: The U.S. faced a shortage of soldiers; the draft was introduced. Selective Service Act passed in 1917, required men between ages of 21 and 30 to register for draft.

Liberty bonds were sold to help fund the war.

Role of Women in WWI:Women served in armed forces mostly as nurses and took on factory jobs while men were off to war.

African Americans in WWI:About 3 million African American soldiers were drafted into service. Many African Americans moved North to work in wartime factories.

War on the Home Front: World War I was the first total war; it involved all of a nation’s people. It affected the daily lives of all its citizens.

Propaganda:Used to garner support for the war; depicted Germans as evil.




































Section 3: Americans in World War I

American Involvement:

  • The Allies were near defeat when U.S. troops began to arrive in 1917.

  • French and British generals wanted the American Expeditionary Force to immediately go to the front lines.

  • General John J. Pershing: Commander of American troops, he insisted on fighting as a separate force rather than joining Allied troops directly.

Impact of Russia Leaving the War:

  • The Allies lost Russia's support after communists took power in late 1917.

  • Communists: people who favor the equal distribution of wealth and the end of

    all forms of private property

  • Russia signed a peace agreement with Central Powers in March 1918, leading to a civil war.

American Soldiers' Contributions

  • Many U.S. soldiers became heroes during the conflict.

  • Notably, the Harlem Hellfighters (an African American regiment) received the Cross of War medal from France for their bravery.

Naval Strategy: The Convoy System

  • The Allies adopted a convoy system to protect merchant ships against German U-boats.

  • Destroyers that could sink U-boats escorted groups of merchant ships, enhancing safety and effectiveness at sea.

Armistice Agreement

  • Germans were war-weary, faced food shortages, and dwindling troop numbers.

  • Germany's allies began signing peace agreements, leading to a collective desire to end the conflict.

  • Kaiser Wilhelm II, leader of Germany, resigned on November 4, 1918.

  • An armistice was agreed upon, taking effect on November 11, 1918, ending hostilities.

  • Armistice: a truce between opponents that ends hostilities

  • Allies’ Demands: Germany was required to return conquered territories and destroy its weapons as part of the armistice agreement.


Chapter 8 Section 4 Notes

 

·      More lives were lost in World War I than in any previous war. More than ­8 million soldiers died and more than 20 million wounded.

·     
The flu epidemic spread across the world killing more people than had died in the war

 

·      The Fourteen Points were Woodrow Wilson’s plan for a lasting peace

 

·      They called for: 1) freedom of the seas, 2) free trade, 3) large-scale arms reductions, 4) an end to secret treaties, 5)creation of an organization to keep world peace

 

·      Only one of Wilson’s Fourteen Points were adopted. A world peacekeeping organization called the League of Nations was formed

 

·      The Treaty of Versailles was the treaty signed in 1919 that officially ended World War I

 

·      Versailles placed total blame for the war on Germany, which lost huge amounts of territory and had to pay huge reparations, payments for war damages

 

·      Some senators objected America signing the treaty because they were worried that the League of Nations could send American troops to war. Henry Cabot Lodgeinsisted on changes to the treaty before ratifying it.

 

·      The U.S. Senate voted to keep the United States OUT of the League of Nations, instead they signed separate peace treaties with Central Powers.

 

·      Americans wanted to return to a position of isolationism