World War One Notes

World War One: The Fighting and Diplomatic Efforts

The Outbreak and Alliances

  • World War I began in Europe in July 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
  • Two major coalitions quickly formed:
    • Triple Entente (Allied Powers): Britain, Russia, and France.
    • Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

The United States and Neutrality

  • Initially, the US maintained a traditional stance of neutrality.

  • Several events jeopardized this neutrality:

    • Sinking of the Lusitania (1915):

      • German submarines were sinking ships (military and civilian) in the war zone around the British Isles.
      • The Lusitania, a passenger ship, was sunk, resulting in the deaths of many civilians, including 128 Americans.
      • This event enraged the American public and President Woodrow Wilson.
      • However, the US still maintained neutrality.

    • German Unrestricted Submarine Warfare:

      • Germany resumed sinking all ships entering the war zone, including American ships.
      • The US threatened to break diplomatic relations (a step before declaring war).
      • Germany temporarily backed down to avoid US entry into the war.

    • Zimmerman Telegram:

      • Germany sent a secret telegram to Mexico, proposing that Mexico start a war with the US.
      • Germany promised to help Mexico regain land lost in the Mexican-American War upon the conclusion of the European conflict.
      • The US intercepted the telegram, revealing Germany's hostile intentions.

US Enters the War

  • Following the Zimmerman Telegram, Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany.
  • Congress granted the declaration on April 2, 1917.
  • Wilson stated that the US was entering the war to "make the world safe for democracy."
  • The war would last another twenty months.

American Expeditionary Forces

  • The US played a limited role in the war overall.
  • The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), commanded by John Pershing, initially reinforced French and British lines.
  • Eventually, hundreds of thousands of American troops arrived and took command of a portion of the western front.
  • The US entry significantly tipped the balance of the war in favor of the Allies.

End of the War and the Treaty of Versailles

  • The war officially ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
  • Woodrow Wilson was heavily involved in the treaty negotiations, aiming to create a stable Europe.
  • Wilson introduced his Fourteen Points, a vision for the postwar world. Key provisions included:
    • Freedom of the seas.
    • Self-determination of nations.
    • Establishment of a League of Nations, a global body for countries to negotiate peacefully instead of resorting to war.

Wilson's Setbacks and the Treaty's Outcome

  • Wilson contracted the Spanish flu while in France, weakening his health and influence.
  • Britain and France pushed for punitive measures against Germany in the treaty.
  • The Treaty of Versailles punished Germany.

League of Nations and US Rejection

  • The League of Nations was established, fulfilling one of Wilson's key goals.
  • However, when Wilson presented the treaty to the US Congress, they refused to ratify it.
  • The main concern was that membership in the League of Nations could draw the US into future wars without congressional approval (due to Congress's constitutional authority to declare war).
  • As a result, the League of Nations was formed without the participation of the United States.