1914-1918 “the great war” “the war to end all wars” 1 st global war new weapons technology...
TRANSCRIPT
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)
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
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.
Liberty Bonds….bonds sold by the govt. Pd for 2/3 of the war
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
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