TP 7.5 - 7.6 (World War I)
World War I Overview
Time Period
7.5 - 7.6
2nd of 5
The Great War
In Flanders Fields - Poem by John McCrae
Reflects on the deaths and sacrifices of soldiers in battle.
Poppies symbolize remembrance.
Emphasizes urgency for continuing the fight for justice.
Timeline of Major Events
Duration
July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918
Initial Causes of the War
Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina desired to join Serbia, opposing Austrian control.
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, leading to Russia's intervention.
Germany declared war on Russia, with France and Britain subsequently joining the conflict.
Japan entered to support Britain.
Later, Italy and the US sided with the Allies.
Alliances and Powers
Allied Powers: Included Britain, France, and Russia.
Central Powers: Included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.
Various countries remained neutral or shifted alliances throughout the conflict.
Propaganda and Recruitment
U.S. Involvement
Slogan: "Vote for Wilson: He kept us out of the War!"
Wilson initially maintained a neutral stance but declared war on Germany shortly after his inauguration.
Reasons for U.S. Involvement
Key Incidents
Sinking of the Lusitania (May 1915): 1,198 casualties including Americans.
Rape of Belgium (1914): Propaganda tool depicting German atrocities.
German Submarine Warfare: Led to increased tensions and U.S. casualties.
Zimmerman Note (March 1917): A German telegram proposing a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S.
Bolshevik Revolution: Russia's exit from the war allowed Germany to focus efforts against remaining Allies.
Economic Factors: Desire to make the world safe for democracy.
Mobilization and Homefront Efforts
Declaration of War
April 6, 1917: Wilson emphasized the need for peace without victory.
Legislation Impact
Espionage & Sedition Acts: Limited 1st Amendment rights, targeting dissenters.
Selective Service Act: Mandatory draft for military service.
Major acts like the National Defense Act and Lever Act supported wartime production and logistics.
The Homefront and Migration
Changes during War
Shift from neutrality to mobilization affected public opinion and daily life.
Committee on Public Information: Led propaganda efforts.
The Great Migration: Movement of 2 million African Americans from the rural South to industrial cities in the North.
Losses and Casualties
The Brutality of War
Expected quick victories turned into prolonged, bloody encounters.
Estimates suggest millions of soldiers and civilians perished.
Civilian losses estimated at around 5 million, with differing records and accounted casualties due to various factors.
The Armistice
Key Details
November 11, 1918: End of conflict with German representatives signing.
Symbolic railcar representing negotiations; significant leaders like Ferdinand Foch were present.
Treaty of Versailles
Major Figures
The Big Four: Woodrow Wilson (USA), David Lloyd George (GB), Georges Clemenceau (France), Vittorio Orlando (Italy).
Terms of Treaty
Mixed reactions in the Senate about League of Nations; opposition led by reservationists and irreconcilables.
Post-War Changes
Territorial Realignments
New countries emerged; many territories were reallocated among nations.
Restoration of territories and newly independent nations from former empires (e.g., Ottoman Empire).
Impact of the Great War
Historical Significance
Treaty of Versailles reshaped not just Europe but also will have lingering economic and geopolitical effects long after the war concluded.
National boundary adjustments led to new tensions and conflicts in later years.
Reflection Questions
What are the long-term effects of separating empires for national unity?
How did wartime administrations prepare the U.S. for international leadership in the 20th century?