WW1 Unit Review
Tensions building in Europe prior to the War:
Unification of Germany
Complex SHift of Alliance
Triple Entente: France, Great BRitain, and Russia
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnai and Herzegovina
Militarism
Causes of WWI:
M: Militarism
A: Alliance
N: Nationalism
I: Imperialism
A: Assaniation of Archduke Ferdinand
What started the War and its immediate aftermath:
June 18th Fernindand is shot by Gavrilo; an extremist. AH gave Serbia unreasonable ultimatiatim: gave them 48 hours to decide so. Russia backed the Serbs, Germany backed AH, Germany declared war on Russia and France, Germany struck at France by marching through neutral Belgium and Great Britain declared war on Germany. Schlieffen Plan: germans quick plan to strike on France while Russia in mobilized
Who is on each side-Allies vs. Central Powers
Alliees: France, Russia, Great Britain, Italy, and Japan
Central Power: Germany, AH, Ottoman Empire, and Belgium
Examples of American neutrality or lack thereof during WWI (before we were involved)
Americans cultural, economic and political ties to the Allies. Most sympathized with the allies. Only the Allies could buy from American goods. Proclamation of Neutral: President Woodrow Wilson declared America as neutral on August 4, 1914, when the war began. His administration focused on promoting trade and diplomatic relations without favoring either the Allied or Central Powers.
Lithuania Incident
American Reactions:
Response to Germany: The attack on the Lusitania was met with outrage in the United States. President Woodrow Wilson condemned Germany's actions, viewing the sinking as both barbaric and in violation of neutral rights. Wilson demanded that Germany cease unrestricted submarine warfare.
Response to Britain: While the sinking angered Americans and criticized Germany, the U.S. response to Britain's blockade of Germany was less pronounced. The American government did not formally protest Britain's interception of neutral trade and the impact it had on American and neutral shipping. This created a perception of bias towards the Allies.
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram, sent by Germany to Mexico on January 16, 1917, proposed a military alliance if the U.S. entered World War I. Germany promised to help Mexico regain lost territories: Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The British intercepted and decoded it, and its publication in the U.S. incited public outrage, leading to America's
Mexico/US Relations
During World War I, U.S.-Mexico relations were strained, notably due to the Zimmermann Telegram from Germany proposing a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S. Germany promised to help Mexico reclaim lost territories like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The British intercepted and publicized the telegram, which incited outrage in the U.S.
The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920): A major armed struggle against President Porfirio Díaz's oppression, it involved various factions, including peasants and middle-class leaders, advocating for land reform, labor rights, and political democracy. Key figures included Francisco Madero, Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa. The revolution influenced U.S.-Mexico relations during World War I, particularly due to the Zimmermann Telegram.
U-Boat Warfare
U-Boat warfare during World War I refers to the German practice of utilizing submarines, known as U-boats, to disrupt Allied shipping and implement a naval blockade. The German Navy deployed U-boats to sink merchant vessels and warships without warning in an attempt to cut off supplies to the Allies.
Examples of what led America into WWI
Lusitania Incident
Zimmerman Telegram
U-Boat Warfare
WWI-battles, trench warfare, outcome etc.
Western Front:
Battle of Verdun: 750,000 lost their life: Fought between France and Germany
Eastern Front:
Battle of Tannenberg: German forces defeated the Russian Army: 92,000 Russians taken prisoner. 30,000 killed and Germany lost 13,00
American Expeditionary Force:
Led by General John J. Pershing
May 1918:
AEF helped French Army on the Western Front
Fought their first battle: Battle of Belleau Wood in which the US Marine were crucial in the battle
Battle of Belleau Wood:
US Marine Corps and German Forces
Halted German’s advance towards Paris
Chemical Warfare
Canister Mask: developed to protect soldier from the use of chlorine gas such as xyly
was not effective in filtering deadly gasses and no mask could offer protection from mustard gas which attacked the flash
Air Warfare
Lafayette Escadrille and LaFayette Flying Corps
Americans volunteered since 1916 including AA who were segregated under American control
American Home front during WWI-propaganda, acts, boards etc.
Selective Service Act: drafted men to war(20-31)
War Industries Board: reorganized industry to maximize profits
Food Administration: Increased agricultural production, supervised food distribution and farm labor
National War Labor Board: resolved labor management disputes, improved labor conditions, and recognized union rights as means to production and efficiency
Prohibition Act: Congress ratified the 18th Amendment, banning the manufacture, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages
Suffrage Act: allowed women to vote
Liberty Bonds: Interests-bearing certificates sold by the US to finance war effort
CPI: managed propaganda to build support for war effort
Espionage Act: vague prohibition against obstruction war effort
The Sedition Act: expanded the espionage act or its government and etc
The Fourteen Points
Purpose: to remake international order so futures disputes could be kept from deteriorating the war
Point 1-5:
involved principles to guide International relations: freedom of seas, open diplomacy, reduction of arms, free trade, fair colonial claims
Point 6-13:
created new nations shifting old borders or ensuing self-determination
14 point:
Leagues of Nation which disputed international justice: their decisions forced by economic sanctions and military form set by each country
ReatioN: Central Powers felt it was propaganda, Central Power western front was wearing down. Armistice singed on Nov 11, 1918
Paris Peace Conference/Treaty of Versailles
Paris Peace Coference: Jan 18th 1919: Allied leaders met in Versailles
US, France, Great Britain, and Italy—Big 4
Lloyd George: Britain
Victorio Orlando: Italy
Victor Clemency—France
Woodrow Wilson—US
Treaty of Versailles:
Central Power and USSR were excluded
Germany forced to give all conquered lands
Forced to accept full responsibility and pay reparations(132B)
Limited Military and small self-defense force: destroy military bases
League of Nations
International org. founded after WW1 to ensure world stability.
Had 4 permanent members: Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan and four non-permanent members that were elected by the Assembly for a three-year term.
Election of 1916
Woodrow Wilson vs. Charles Evans Hughes—>Woodrow Wilson won
Slogan: “He Kept US Out of War
Irreconcilable and Reservations
Irreconcilable:
Group of senators opposing the Treaty of Versailles:
Robert LaFollete
Hiram Johnson
Reservations: Group of US Senators opposing approval of the Treaty of Versailles w/o changes:
Henry Cabot Lodge
Key People and Dates
July 28th 1914: WW1 starts
April 26th 1917: US enters
March 3rd 1918: Russia Quits
June 1918: Battle of Bellau Wood
Sept 26th- Nov 11 1918: Battle of Argonne Forest
Nov 11 1918: Armistice is signed
June 28th 1919: Treaty of Versailles signed