Transcript World War I
1914-1919 Essential Question: How did militarism contribute to the outbreak of World War I? Feeling of intense loyalty to one’s country or group Encouraged new nations like Italy and Germany to establish their power in the world Inspired some ethnic groups to demand independent nations Caused much tension in Europe Nations competed for colonies in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world Expansion by one European nation brings it into conflict with others Great Britain Germany Russia France Italy As European nations competed for colonies, they strengthen their armies and navies to protect their interests Bitter rivalry develops between Great Britain and Germany (arms race) Develops as a result of military build-ups Triple Alliance Germany Austro Hungary Italy Triple Entente Great Britain France Russia *Europe is known as a “powder keg” Slavic people in the Austro-Hungarian Empire want independence Gavrilo Princep assassinates Austro Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in hopes of bringing down the empire (June 28, 1914) Assassination destroys European stability Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia (June 28, 1914) Allied Powers Great Britain (UK) France Russia Italy Japan Central Powers Germany Ottoman Empire (Turkey) Austria Hungary Germany enters France and it becomes clear that no side will win quickly For the next three years, neither side makes any advancements Fought through a network of deep trenches (Trench Warfare) Provide protection from flying bullets and shells Behind the lines – served as first aid stations, headquarters and storage areas “Whilst asleep during the night, we were frequently awakened by rats running over us. When this happened too often for my liking, I would lie on my back and wait for a rat to linger on my legs; then violently heave my legs upwards, throwing the rat into the air. Occasionally, I would hear a grunt when the rat landed on a fellow victim.” (R L Venables) “If you have never had trench foot described to you, I will explain. Your feet swell to two to three times their normal size and go completely dead. You can stick a bayonet into them and not feel a thing. If you are lucky enough not to lose your feet and the swelling starts to go down, it is then that the most indescribable agony begins. I have heard men cry and scream with pain and many have had to have their feet and legs amputated. I was one of the lucky ones, but one more day in that trench and it may have been too late.” (Harry Roberts) “We slept in our clothes and cut our hair short so that it would tuck inside our caps. Dressing simply meant putting on our boots. There were times when we had to scrape the lice off with the blunt edge of a knife and our underclothes stuck to us. “ (Elizabeth de T’Serclaes – a nurse on the front line) February to December, 1916 – Germany vs. France One of the longest, bloodiest battles 750,000 casualties (both sides) Technology of War New deadly weapons caused large numbers of injuries and deaths New Technology Improved cannons, rifles and artillery Characteristics Can fire shells at greater distances and can fire with greater accuracy Effects Greater numbers of casualties New Technology Poison Gas Characteristics Can seriously injure or kill anyone who breathes it Effects Greater numbers of casualties Soldiers begin carrying gas masks New Technology Armored Tanks Characteristics Cross battle lines by crushing barbed wire Fire at close range Effects Greater number of casualties Provides route for advancing troops New Technology U-Boats Characteristics German submarines that sunk ships carrying supplies Effects Eventually brings the United States into the war Technology Airplane Characteristics Used for watching movements of troops, bombing targets and “dog fights” Effects Added a new dimension to warfare How did militarism contribute to the outbreak of World War I? Created need for alliances Armies built themselves up Nations looked for new kinds of technology to defeat their enemies Essential Question: Why did the United States enter World War I? Originally most Americans thought that the war did not concern them President Wilson declared the US would stay neutral However, Americans eventually began to take sides Most favored the Allied Powers Both sides used propaganda Allied propaganda was more effective - US trades mostly with Allied Powers due to naval blockade of Germany -1915 – Germany states they will sink any vessels that enter or leave British ports -Wilson warns the US will blame Germany for any lives lost at sea 1915 – German U-boat torpedoed British passenger liner Lusitania carrying 128 Americans United States strengthens their military but remains neutral Germany continues attacking ships coming to or leaving from Allied Ports Hopes to win the war before the US gets involved US intercepts Zimmermann telegram German offering of alliance with Mexico against the United States Anti-German feeling in the US grows 1917 - Russian people overthrow monarchy and promise to establish free elections Wilson can now justify entering the war to fight for democracy 1917 – Germans sink 4 American merchant ships Wilson’s cabinet members call for war April 6, 1917 – US declares war Selective Service Act sets up a military draft Men aged 21-30 3 million drafted, 2 million volunteers Women enlisted for the first time as radio operators, clerks and nurses Why did the United States enter World War I? Essential Question: How did the US help the Allies win the war? 1917 – Allies desperately needed help of American soldiers Years of trench warfare had exhausted their armies Some French troops refused to fight after heavy losses British were running out of food and war supplies Germans sank 1 out of every 4 ships leaving British ports Americans implemented convoys Reduced shipping losses greatly 1917 Russian Bolshevik Revolution People upset over food shortages Communists overthrow democratic government and establish a communist government led by Vladimir Lenin Bolshevik’s pulled out of war to concentrate on setting up the new government Sign peace treaty with Germany allowing Germany to attack from the western front Looked as if Germany might win the war Germans advanced to within 40 miles of Paris, France American soldiers, often known as “dough boys”, fought alongside Allied forces to break through German lines Stopped German offensive Turned the tide of the war 1 million American troops joined other Allied forces in Argonne Forest Faced harsh conditions Rugged, heavily forested terrain Rain, mud Barbed wire Machine gun fire Many lives were lost Allies pushed through German enemy lines ***The End of the War: Central alliance falls apart as countries are involved in revolutions and ethnic groups are declaring independence*** German government appealed to President Wilson for an armistice While deliberation took place, revolution spread in Germany and the Kaiser stepped down Germany was declared a republic and agreed to Wilson’s terms Withdraw all land forces Withdraw its fleet to the Baltic Sea Surrender huge amounts of equipment The Great War had ended How did the United States help the Allies win the war? US Navy helped protect the British (Convoys) Provided more troops for the Allies Helped win significant battles and stopped the German offensive Essential Question: How did the United States mobilize its resources to fight the war? United States declared war on Germany in 1917 Americans began mobilizing Gathering resources and preparing for war Affected every part of American life Industry booms to produce war materials Labor shortage Men leave their jobs to fight Immigration slows New opportunities for women taking men’s jobs Great Migration: Hundreds of thousands of African American’s come to Northern cities to find good jobs US had to produce food for the United States and the Allies Food Administration encouraged farmers to grow more and people to eat less Encouraged voluntary rationing Americans consumed less and exported more Anti-War Sentiment was strong Committee on Public Information launched a massive propaganda campaign Distributed million of pro-war pamphlets, posters, articles and books Provided newspapers with government accounts of the war Hired speakers, writers and actors to build support Espionage Act of 1917 Tried to silence dissent (disagreement or opposition) Provided stiff penalties for espionage or spying Penalized people for interfering with military recruiting Sabatoge Act and Sedition Act Made it a crime to say, print or write any criticism recognized as negative about the government How did World War I benefit workers? Answer the Essential Question: How did the US mobilize its resources to fight the war? Essential Question: Why did President Wilson’s Peace Plan fail? World leaders from 27 nations met at a peace conference Enormous problems lay ahead Europe was in ruins – landscape, towns and farms destroyed Human losses from war and disease were huge (estimated at 9 million) People were homeless and hungry Wilson’s Peace Plan – aimed at giving people the right to decide how they are governed Adjusted boundaries in Europe to allow for new nations Called for free trade and freedom of the seas End to secret treaties between nations Limits on arms Formation of the League of Nations Member nations would help preserve peace and prevent future wars Respect and protect one another’s independence Many European nations put their interests first European powers wanted revenge while Wilson’s Fourteen Points opposed punishment for defeated nations Believed Germany should make reparations or payment for damage done June 28, 1919 – Signed by Germany and the Allies Dealt harshly with Germany Had to accept full responsibility for the conflict Had to pay billions of dollars in reparations Had to disarm and give up territory in Europe Had to give up colonies Included Wilson’s League of Nations Republicans led by Henry Cabot Lodge opposed the treaty Some Republicans wanted to embarrass Wilson The Treaty was rejected and the US never joined the League of Nations Treaty was too tough on Germany Committed the US too strongly to international affairs