WORLD WAR I: Military & Diplomacy [APUSH Review Unit 7 Topic 5] Period 7: 1898-1945

Overview of World War I

• Focus on fighting, diplomatic efforts, and the U.S. involvement.

• Introduction to topics covered in the upcoming videos regarding homefront activities during the war.

Causes of World War I

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (July 1914)

  • Triggered the onset of WWI.

  • Led to the formation of two major coalitions:

    • Triple Entente: Britain, Russia, France (Allied Powers)

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

U.S. Neutrality

• The U.S. maintained a traditional stance of neutrality in European conflicts.

• Several key events threatened this neutrality:

Sinking of the Lusitania (1915)

• A British passenger ship was sunk by German submarines.

• 128 Americans among the casualties, inciting public outrage and affecting President Woodrow Wilson’s stance.

• Despite outrage, the U.S. still maintained neutrality.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

• After a brief period of restraint, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, targeting all ships in the war zone.

• U.S. ships were also sunk during this period.

• Woodrow Wilson managed to keep diplomatic relations intact initially.

Zimmermann Telegram

• An intercepted communication from Germany to Mexico, proposing an alliance against the U.S. in exchange for help recovering lost territories.

• The telegram revealed Germany’s hostility towards the U.S. and solidified the case for war.

• Wilson requested a declaration of war from Congress, which was granted on April 2, 1917.

U.S. Involvement in WWI

• The entrance of U.S. troops fundamentally shifted the balance in favor of the Allies.

• The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) commanded by John J. Pershing played a significant, albeit limited, role on the Western Front.

• The war ended on November 11, 1918, following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Treaty of Versailles and Wilson’s Fourteen Points

• Wilson's vision for a post-war world emphasized the importance of democracy and stability.

• Successfully argued for several key points, including:

  • Freedom of the seas.

  • Self-determination for nations.

  • Establishment of a League of Nations to promote diplomatic resolutions over military conflict.

• Wilson's health deteriorated due to the Spanish Flu, leading to diminished influence during treaty negotiations.

• The treaty favored punitive measures against Germany, reflecting the desires of Britain and France.

Creation of the League of Nations

• The League was formed, but the U.S. Congress refused to ratify the treaty due to concerns about potential involvements in future conflicts without congressional approval.

• U.S. was absent from the League, contradicting Wilson’s hopes for international peace.

Conclusion

• Summary of key topics regarding U.S. involvement in WWI and the resulting political impacts.