Transcript File
WWI 101 1914–1920 Europe’s Descent into War Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, June 1914, by Serbian terrorists Garvilo Princip Alliance system transformed Europe into a continent of war, because of one murder Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy Italy soon replaced by Ottoman Empire Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia Competition between nations also contributed Militarism, Imperialism, and Nationalism Especially between Britain and Germany Schlieffen Plan – German plan to conquer Europe in a counter clockwise motion, to avoid fighting a two front war By 1914, conflict settled into stalemate because two sides evenly balanced Stalemate Dug trenches for protection from bullets and bombs and placed mazes of barbed wire in front. “No Man’s Land” - Area between the trenches Soldiers ate and slept in muddy, wet, disease ridden trenches. Strategy included running head first into machine gun fire New Technology U-boats, Tanks, Zeppelins / Airplanes, Flame Throwers, Machine Guns, long Range Artillery, Grenades, Chemical / Mustard Gas ROAD TO US ENTRY American Neutrality U.S. would remain neutral and would trade with both camps Nation, though, did favor Triple Entente in conflict Close cultural ties to Britain Stronger economic relationship with Britain than Germany Loans to Britain and France, but not to Germany Little protest to British violations of U.S. neutral rights Sinking of the Lusitania Led to sharp protest from Wilson May 17, 1915 A German U-Boat sank the British cruise ship Lusitania. More than 1,000 passengers were killed, including 128 Americans. The Sussex Pledge Germany pledges to warn ships before firing on them. German Blockade Germans and British tried to keep their opponents from getting supply ships Restricted - German U-boats sank any military ships in the Atlantic Unrestricted – German U-boats sank any ship “suspected” of carrying supplies for Allies. German push for victory on land and at sea, early 1917 led to unrestricted U-boat attacks Russian Surrender Czar Nicolas II was overthrown during the Bolshevik Revolution Anastasia Vladimir Lenin ordered the surrender of Russia, which gave the Germans a distinct chance of winning the war. THE IMPORTANCE OF MEXICO Mexican Revolution Mexican Revolution brought Francisco Madero to power in 1910 Overthrown by Victoriano Huerta in 1913 Madero assassinated Wilson refused to recognize what he called a “government of butchers” Demanded democratic election between Madero, Venustiano Carranza and Francisco (“Pancho”) Villa Web US took hostile actions against Huerta’s government Occupied port of Vera Cruz Prevented docking of German ship bearing arms for the Mexican government Allowed Carranza to seize power Once in office, Carranza embarked on anti-U.S. direction Wilson then put US support behind Villa Went back and forth between supporting Villa and Carranza, eventually angering and alienating both Before US involvement in World War I, Wilson recognized Carranza’s government The Last Straw for Germany Zimmerman telegram / Note Germans tried to recruit Mexico to their side and encouraged Mexico to attack the US Germany promised to help Mexico to reclaim the Southwestern US, which was lost during Mexican – US War April 2, Congress voted to enter war “Grand experiment to remake the world” A war for colonial self-determination Helped justify US intervention on side of democratic powers Importance to Today As US has prospered economically Mexico has struggled Blame US for many of their problems Government corruption Influence of Drug cartels Wilson’s policies reinforced opposition among Mexicans toward United States Anger over perceived inferior status Loss of the Southwestern US US HOME FRONT DURING WWI Mobilizing for “Total” War All of nation’s resources committed to war effort Organizing American industry / economy Food Administration Railroad Administration Aircraft Production Board Emergency Fleet Corporation War Industries Board National War Labor Board – Heavily restricted Unions and right to strike Sharp increases in taxes Fell hardest on wealthy, corporations Liberty Bond sales – to pay for war Sharp increase among females in American workforce Occupations with Largest Increase in Women Mobilizing the Citizenry May 18, 1917 – All men 21 to 30 had to register for the draft = Selective Service 1st recruits arrived at bases with no barracks and few training supplies Recruits trained with sticks Committee on Public Information WWI propaganda Hatred for all things German Liberty cabbage – Sauerkraut German immigrants changed their last names Controlling Freedoms Trading with the Enemy Act Immigration Restriction Act Espionage Act – People were jailed for helping the enemy, refusing to sign up for the draft. Sedition Act – People were jailed for criticizing the govt., flag, or military. Supreme Court backed Congress Crackdown on radical labor unions Role of National Americanization Committee Impact of American entry U.S. troops separate from Allied forces Eased pressure on British and French on Western front; “Morale boost” American Expeditionary Force John J. “Black Jack” Pershing Doughboys Germany launched huge offensives in March and April of 1918 War ended in November 1918 KIA - WWI 10,000,000 9,000,000 8,000,000 7,000,000 6,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 0 Russia Germany Austria-Hungary France Great Britain Italy Turkey US VERSAILLES “PEACE” CONFERENCE Treaty of Versailles WWI Armistice 11-11-1919 The Parisians had a parade after the signing of the Treaty at Versailles marking the end of World War I. Notice the sign at the top of this photograph that reads: "Vive Wilson." Wilson’s 14 Points Plan for creating a lasting peace Freedom of the seas, reduction of arms, free trade, self-determination for colonies, no secret alliances, and the … League of Nations Countries belong to a league that helps keep the peace and settles disputes without violence Failure to Reach a True Peace Paris Peace Conference, January 1919 Wilson and Germany believed Fourteen Points would shape peace process, but his allies had other ideas Britain and France demanded harsh settlement with Germany Wilson favored leniency – All were equally responsible for the destruction of WWI The Treaty of Versailles & WWII Officially ended WWI and direct cause of WWII Germans were furious as they had to pay reparations, lost colonies, less military, no subs / air force, Had to Admit Blame, create a new govt. (Weimar) Italians were furious as they did not get the land they were promised in the Treaty of London Betrayed alliance with Germany British and French thought it still was not harsh enough Europe and Near East After the First World War America Rejects the Treaty Wilson had to ratify treaty, and U.S. membership in the League—in the U.S. Senate Senate dominated by Republican Party “Irreconcilables” “Reservationists” opposed to treaty, the League wanted revisions before assent Constitutional concerns over Article X & many simply despised Wilson League members pledged to defend each other Wilson went on offensive when Republicans opposed amendments to treaty Took case directly to the American people Suffered stroke on speaking tour Treaty finally defeated U.S. did not join League of Nations