The First World War Flashcards

Causes of the War

• Historians traditionally cite four long-term causes:

  • NATIONALISM: Devotion to the interests and culture of one’s nation.

  • IMPERIALISM: Economic and political control over weaker nations.

  • MILITARISM: Increased military spending due to nationalism and imperialism.

  • ALLIANCE SYSTEM: Division of Europe into two armed camps.

Nationalism

• Led to rivalries and conflicts between nations.

• Ethnic groups resented domination and desired independence.

• Russia and Austria-Hungary disagreed over the treatment of Serbs.

• Germany allied with Austria-Hungary; Russia, France, and Britain were partners.

Imperialism

• European nations built empires for centuries.

• Colonies supplied raw materials and provided markets.

• Germany's industrialization led to competition for colonies.

Militarism

• Empires needed defense, leading to increased military spending in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Germany was the strongest militarily by 1890, building a navy to rival England’s.

• France, Italy, Japan, and the United States also increased naval power.

• Battleships were stockpiled by European nations, Japan, and America.

Alliance System

• By 1907, two major defense alliances existed in Europe:

  • The Triple Entente (Allies): France, Britain, and Russia.

  • The Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (later joined by the Ottoman Empire).

The Spark: An Assassination

• The Balkan region was “the powder keg of Europe” due to competing interests.

  • Russia wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Germany wanted a rail link to the Ottoman Empire.

  • Austria-Hungary accused Serbia of subverting its rule over Bosnia (taken in 1878).

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, was assassinated by a Serbian radical in June 1914, igniting a diplomatic crisis.

The Fighting Begins

• The alliance system drew nations into conflict, starting the Great War.

• On August 3, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, following the Schlieffen Plan.

  • The Schlieffen Plan aimed for a quick strike through Belgium to Paris, then an attack on Russia.

  • The plan was designed to prevent a two-front war for Germany.

The War Becomes A Stalemate

• The Allies retreated to the Marne River, halting the German advance in September 1914.

• Both sides dug trenches, leading to a long siege.

• By 1915, parallel trench systems crossed France from Belgium to Switzerland.

• “No man’s land” was the area between enemy trenches, filled with shell craters and barbed wire.

Trench Warfare Conditions

• Conditions in trenches were horrific, including:

  • Fear of bombardment.

  • Mud and flooding.

  • Lice and vermin.

  • Disease.

First Battle of The Somme

• Began on July 1, 1916, and lasted until mid-November.

• British suffered 60,000 casualties on the first day.

• Total casualties were 1.2 million, with only 7 miles of ground gained.

• Trench warfare lasted three years.

• Gas attacks caused blindness and lung disease.

Americans Question Neutrality

• In 1914, most Americans wanted neutrality, seeing no reason to join the war.

• Some German-Americans supported Germany.

• Many Americans felt closer to the British due to shared ancestry and language.

• American economic interests were stronger with the Allies.

The War Hits Home

• America sold dynamite, cannon powder, submarines, copper wire, tubing, and other war materials to the Allied forces.

• Germans and British imposed naval blockades.

• Germans used U-boats to prevent shipments to Britain, sinking any ship found in the waters.

The Lusitania Disaster

• The Lusitania was a British passenger liner sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans.

• Germans claimed the ship carried Allied ammunition.

• Americans were outraged, and public opinion turned against Germany and the Central Powers.

1916 Election

• Democrat Woodrow Wilson vs. Republican Charles Evans Hughes.

• Wilson won, using the slogan “He kept us out of war.”

America Edges Closer To War

• Germany ignored Wilson’s plea for peace.

• The Zimmerman Note proposed a German alliance with Mexico, promising the return of territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

• German subs sank four unarmed U.S. merchant ships.

America Declares War

• On April 2, 1917, Wilson declared war, stating, “The world must be made safe for democracy.”

• Congress passed the resolution.

American Power Tips the Balance

• America was not ready for war; only 200,000 men were in service.

• Congress passed the Selective Service Act in May 1917.

• By the end of 1918, 24 million had signed up, and almost 3 million were called to duty; about 2 million American troops reached Europe.

Fresh U.S. Soldiers Join Fight

• Allied forces were exhausted after 2 ½ years of fighting.

• Americans provided fresh and enthusiastic troops.

• American infantry were nicknamed “doughboys.”

Important New Weapons

• Machine Guns: Fired 600 rounds per minute.

• The Tank: Steel tanks ran on caterpillar treads.

• Airplanes: Used for duals and bombing by 1918.

• Poison Gas: Mustard gas was used to subdue the enemy.

Other Weapons & Equipment

• Howitzers

• Flame throwers

• Torpedoes

• U-boats

• Phosphorus grenades

• Field phones

• Search lights

• Gas masks

• Camouflage

• Railroad guns

• Blimps

American Troops Go On the Offensive

• Russia surrendered to Germany in 1917, allowing the Central Powers to focus on the Western Front.

• By May, Germans were within 50 miles of Paris.

• Americans played a major role in pushing the Germans back.

• The Americans helped the Allies win the Second Battle of the Marne in July and August.

Germany Collapses, War Ends

• On November 3, 1918, Austria-Hungary surrendered.

• German sailors mutinied, and other revolts followed.

• Germany signed a truce on November 11, 1918, ending the Great War.

The War At Home

• The U.S. economy focused on the war effort, shifting from a consumer economy to a war economy.

• The power of the U.S. government expanded.

• Congress gave President Wilson direct control over the economy.

War Industries Board

• The War Industries Board (WIB) encouraged mass-production techniques.

• Industrial production and wages increased 20%, and union membership increased from 2.5 million to 4 million.

• President Wilson set up the National War Labor Board in 1918 to deal with disputes.

Victory Gardens

• The Food Administration (FA) declared “meatless,” “sweetless,” and “wheatless” days.

• Homeowners planted “victory gardens.”

• Farmers increased production by almost 30% by adding 40 million acres of farmland.

Selling The War

• The U.S. needed to raise money and convince the public to support the war.

• The U.S. spent 35.5 billion on the war effort.

• The government raised about 1/3 through income and “sin” taxes.

• The rest was raised through war bonds (Liberty Loans & Victory Loans).

Propaganda

• The Committee on Public Information (CPI) was the nation’s first propaganda agency, led by George Creel.

• Artists created paintings, posters, cartoons, and sculptures to promote the war.

Attack on Civil Liberties

• Civil Liberties were compromised.

• Anti-Immigrant feelings arose, especially against Germans and Austrian-Hungarians.

• Espionage and Sedition Acts were passed, preventing anti-war protests but violating the First Amendment.

• Socialists and labor leaders were targeted for disloyalty.

Wilson Fights for Peace

• Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” included:

  • No secret treaties.

  • Freedom of the Seas.

  • More free trade.

  • Reduction of arms.

  • Less colonialism.

  • A League of Nations.

Allies Reject Wilson’s Plan, Sign Treaty

• The Big Four (Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, and Orlando) worked out the Treaty of Versailles.

• Wilson conceded on most points for the League of Nations.

• On June 28, 1919, the Big Four and the defeated nations signed the Treaty of Versailles.

Treaty Of Versailles

• Established nine new nations.

• Broke up the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires.

• Barred Germany from maintaining an army.

• Required Germany to give Alsace-Lorraine back to France.

• Forced Germany to pay 33 billion in reparations.

The Weakness of the Treaty

• The harsh treatment of Germany prevented lasting peace.

• The Treaty humiliated Germany by forcing them to admit sole responsibility for the war (War-Guilt Clause).

• Germany could not pay 33 billion in reparations.

Debate Over Treaty at Home

• The U.S. never joined the League.

• Conservative senators, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, were suspicious of the League’s commitments.

• Congress rejected U.S. involvement in the League.

The Legacy of the War

• The war strengthened the military and government power.

• The propaganda campaign provoked fears in society.

• The war created political instability and violence in many countries.

• Russia established the first Communist state.

• World War I was called “The War to end all Wars,” but unresolved issues led to another conflict.

• 22 million dead, more than half civilians, and an additional 20 million wounded.