Notes on The Great War: The Western Front

Heavy-handed approach to government; strong executive leadership.
Expansion of federal government (contrasts with trust-busting, federal regulation of economy).
Significant policies and organizations:
- Creation of the Federal Reserve System.
- Establishment of the Federal Trade Commission.
Served as president during the Great War (World War I).
Suffered a stroke in 1919, with governance largely handled by his wife, Edith.
Attempted to run for re-election in 1920.

Militarism: European powers built strong militaries for empire control and competition.
Alliances: A complex web of military alliances (e.g., if Country A is attacked by B, then C will support A).
Nationalism: Intense national pride and superiority among Western nations.
Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources across the globe.
Assassination: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary acted as the catalyst for the war.

Date: June 28, 1914.
Assassinated by Serbian rebels amid the backdrop of tension with Austria-Hungary.
His death triggered existing military alliances:
- Germany allied with Austria-Hungary against Serbia.
- Russia supported Serbia, leading to its declaration of war on Germany.
Resulted in the division of powers into the Ally and Central Powers.

Americans initially divided along ethnic lines, many supporting their native countries.
Woodrow Wilson proclaimed American neutrality in 1914.
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (German U-boats) targeted shipping.
US sold weapons to both sides but favored the Allies.
By 1915, Wilson began preparations for potential involvement in the war.
Wilson campaigned in 1916 with the slogan, "He kept us out of the war."

Main Combatants:
- Great Britain
- France
- Russia (left war in 1917)
- United States (joined in 1917)
Other Allies:
- Canada
- Italy
- Japan
- Romania

Trench Warfare: Main feature of combat in Western France.
- Soldiers often spent days in unsanitary and muddy conditions filled with disease and vermin.
- The area between opposing trenches known as no man's land was perilous and often resulted in heavy casualties.
Modern Warfare: First war with advanced technology like machine guns, long rifles, tanks, airplanes, and chemical weapons.
- Use of gas masks to combat chemical exposure.
War of Attrition: Neither side gains a decisive advantage, leading to prolonged conflict.

Sinking of the Lusitania (May 1915): 1,198 died, including 128 Americans—carried munitions for Allies.
Zimmerman Telegram (1917): Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the US.
Resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917 prompted US entry into the war.
A draft was instituted following the official declaration of war.

Woodrow Wilson expressed concern over African American treatment in France, fearing they would demand change at home post-war.
Russia exited the war due to the 1917 Russian Revolution, spawning communist governance.
The war resulted in unprecedented casualties, culminating in the signing of the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which held Germany responsible and dismantled associated empires.
- Germany faced severe reparations and military limitations leading to future instability.

Total Killed:
- Russian Empire: 2,200,000
- German Empire: 2,000,000
- France: 1,400,000
- Austria-Hungary: 1,400,000
- Britain + Colonies: 950,000
- USA: 116,000
Total Wounded:
- Russian Empire: 4,900,000
- German Empire: 4,200,000
- France: 4,200,000
- United States: 234,000

Germany held accountable for the war with severe reparations.
Loss of colonies; military severely restricted.
Resulted in conditions that led to the rise of Hitler in the 1930s.
Wilson’s 14 Points aimed to promote peace and rebuild Europe, supporting self-determination of nations.
Established the League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations, with the US notably refusing entry.

Should the US have joined the war? When was the appropriate time for involvement?
Was war avoidable? How can lasting peace be maintained?