1914-1918

“The Great War”“The war to end all wars”1st global warNew weapons technology

poison gas, machine guns, airplanes, new artillery, trench warfare

Nationalism Intense national pride or loyalty in

one’s country or nationality Imperialism….countries take over

other areas…..colony building. increased rivalries, competition

Social Darwinism a component threatened minority groups within countries destabilized empires

Militarism Glorification of military strength

caused distrust & paranoia between countries

Militarism + distrust created by imperialism =arms race

Alliances Agreement among nations to cooperate

for specific purposes. Nations became bold/overconfident turned small, local conflict into global war

By 1907 there were 2 opposing alliances:

1. Triple Alliance = Germany, Austria-Hungary & Italy (Central Powers……no Italy)

2. Triple Entente = France, GB & Russia (Allied Powers)

By 1910, Europe was a“powder keg” ready to explode.

Assassination of Archduke Franz

Ferdinand Heir to throne of Austria-Hungary assassinated by Serbian nationalist

Gavrilo Princip June 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on

Serbia Germany supported A.H.

Russia supported Serbia Alliance system brought in the rest

4.

Initial German Strategy (Schlieffen Plan)

End war quickly Massive strikes on France Enter through neutral Belgium

Belgians resisted….war would not end quickly

Germans dug trenches 450 + miles long

Symbolic of W.W.I Emerged on western front Trenches were:

Often elaborate Could stretch for hundreds of yards

“no man’s land”….bombed out area separating two sides

Soldiers went “over the top” Cut down by artillery fire as they ran Poison gas & artillery shellings often used

Stalemate on the Western Front

stalemate ….neither side wins (tie) on western front A win on western front= a win of the

war Why the stalemate?

new defensive weapons, trench warfare

Key events that led to U.S. involvement in The Great War.

Until 1917 the United States maintained a “neutral” status

Woodrow Wilson urged “Be impartial in thought as well as action”

Different American positions on the war: Isolationists….stay out of it completely Interventionists….intervene on side of Allies Internationalists…play active role to achieve a just

peace.

Loyalties split Most supported Allies

Sinking of the Lusitania British blockade of Germany effective

Germans used U-Boats to sink Allied ships

May 7, 1915 U-Boat sunk British passenger ship the Lusitania Approx. 1,200 died (128 Americans) Outrage in America…Germans said the

ship carried contraband and weapons Promised to warn/not sink civ. ships

Sussex Pledge Violated March of 1916-unarmed French vessel (The

Sussex) attacked …..several Americans injured. Wilson threatens to cut ties w/ Germany Sussex Pledge …… (re) promise not to sink liners

without warning or ensuring safety of passengers. U.S. preparedness steps up Feb. 1917, Germans resume full-scale

U-Boat warfare. Diplomatic ties cut.

The Zimmerman Note (Jan. 1917)

Telegram from Germany to Mexico Intercepted by the British… Proposed an alliance w/ Germany

get back land it lost U.S. Published in papers

Reaction = Call for war

.

On the first of February, we intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and make peace together. We shall give generous financial support, and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details of settlement are left to you. You are instructed to inform the President [of Mexico] of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence with this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call to the attention of the President that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England to make peace in a few months.

ZIMMERMAN TELEGRAM

U.S. Enters the War April 2, 1917 – Wilson asks Congress for War

declaration. April 7, 1917 – Congress votes for war (511-56)“The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them.”Woodrow Wilson

American Govt. Mobilizes for War

Selective Service Act….draft of young men for military service 2.8 mill drafted out of 4.8 mill served

Economy changed from peacetime to wartime War Industries Board....took charge of

industry

Committee on Public Information …formed to convince Americans to support the war effort

Used propaganda in 5 main areas

U.S.Propaganda and W. W. I

A planned effort to shape people’s ideas and opinions generally in support or opposition to a cause.

Propaganda usually plays with people’s emotions and calls on a group or individual to act

1. Organize Labor War Industries

Board encouraged business to cooperate with labor and use materials for war goods.

2. Promote Conservation

Liberty Bonds….bonds sold by the govt. Pd for 2/3 of the war

4. Rally Public Opinion/Promote

Patriotism

5. Enforce Loyalty

American doughboys gives Allies edge to break stalemate

Use of the convoy….groups of merchant ships sail together breaks U-Boat advantage

Nov. 11, 1918 …armistice

The War’s End

Wilson’s address to Congress Proposed a peace by noble ideals. No harsh treaty Fourteen Points sought to change the

world self determination….right to choose their own

govt. League of Nations…a world organization of

countries to peacefully resolve differences.

“Only a tranquil Europe can be a stable Europe….[There] must be a peace without victory….Victory would mean peace forced upon the loser, a victor’s terms imposed upon the vanquished. It would be accepted in humiliation…and would leave a sting, a resentment, a bitter memory upon which terms of peace would rest, not permanently, but only as upon quicksand.” January 22, 1917

Fourteen Points 1. No more secret agreements ("Open covenants openly arrived

at"). 2. Free navigation of all seas. 3. An end to all economic barriers between countries. 4. Countries to reduce weapon numbers. 5. All decisions regarding the colonies should be impartial 6. The German Army is to be removed from Russia. Russia should

be left to develop    her own political set-up.

7. Belgium should be independent like before the war. 8. France should be fully liberated and allowed to recover Alsace-

Lorraine 9. All Italians are to be allowed to live in Italy. Italy's borders are to

"along    clearly recognisable lines of nationality."

10. Self-determination should be allowed for all those living in Austria-Hungary.

11. Self-determination and guarantees of independence should be allowed for       the Balkan states.

12. The Turkish people should be governed by the Turkish government. Non-Turks in       the old Turkish Empire should govern themselves.

13. An independent Poland should be created which should have access to the sea.

14. A League of Nations should be set up to guarantee the political and territorial        independence of all states.

European leaders not happy w/Wilson’s input

Began to erode his Fourteen Points League of Nations squeaks through

Treaty of Versailles signed June 28, 1919 Harsh, punitive treaty…Germany

responsible for the war (War Guilt)

1.     Germany had to accept the Blame for starting the war

2.     Germany had to pay Reparations for the damage done during the war. 3.     Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force.   She could have a navy of only six

battleships, and an Army of just 100,000 men.   In addition, Germany was not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland, the strip of land, 50 miles wide, next to France.

4.     Germany lost Territory (land) in Europe. Germany’s colonies were given to Britain and France.

  (Also, Germany was forbidden to join the League of Nations)   

Lloyd George - Prime Minister of Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando - President of Italy, Georges Clemenceau - President of France, Woodrow Wilson - President of the United States of America

U.S. Senate did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

1. Wilson’s plan is watered-down in Europe

2. League is formed w/out the U.S. weak world governing body.

Global effects of the War Britain, France = weakened

economically U.S. strong, confident, prosperous U.S. =creditor nation….other

countries owed more to the U.S. than it owed

German Humiliation

Germany enters 15 yrs (1920 – 1935) of poverty , despair. Poverty, violence widespread

Radical groups vie for power