A Global Conflict

Chapter 29 Section 2-3

Who was Involved?

• Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary

• Allies: France, Serbia, Great Britain, and US (later).

War in the West

• Stalemate along the Western Front – border between France and Germany – Stuck in trench warfare

• Schlieffen Plan – Germany’s plan to attack and defeat Russia first, then attack France. – Goal was to avoid fighting a war on two fronts.

Africa and Asia

• Allied forces attack German colonies in Africa and Asia.

• British and French recruit troops and workers from their colonies in Africa and Asia. – Volunteers hoped to service would lead to

independence of their country.

1917 - Germany and the US

• Unrestricted warfare – German submarines would sink any ship without warning in British waters.

• Goal: to stop war related supplies from reach Britain.

• Results in the sinking of several American ships– Sinking of the Lusitania – 128 Americans killed.

Zimmerman Note

• Germany offers to help Mexico “reconquer” land it lost to the US if Mexico becomes allies with Germany. – Intercepted by the US – Pushed the US to declare war on Germany

• US had more economic ties with Great Britain– Also share common ancestor, institutions, and

language

Government’s Role in the War

• Became a total war – countries devoted all their resources to the war effort.

• Government take control of the economy– make sure war-related goods were made.

• Use ration system – people allowed to buy small amounts of goods in short supply.

• Promotion of Propaganda – one-sided information designed to persuade and maintain support for the war.

Role of Women

• Replaced men in factories, offices, and shops. – Built tanks and munitions, plowed fields, and

served as nurses. – Helped to keep soldiers supplies with food,

clothing, and weapons • Showed women were capable of filling men’s

jobs.

Russia Withdraws from the War

• 1917- Civil unrest in Russia forces czar to step down from throne – Communists soon take control of Russia’s

government

• Russia signs treaty with Germany in March 1918, pulls out of war– Germany able to move most forces to

Western Front

End of WWI

• Second Battle of the Marne – defeat Germany – American troops help stop the German

advance and lead counterattack

• Rebellion in Austria-Hungary and Germany– armistice— end of fighting—signed in

November 1918

Legacy of the War

• 8.5 million soldiers dead, 21 million wounded– devastates European economies, drains

national treasuries

• Destruction of land and cities. • Survivors suffer disillusionment and

despair

Wilson’s plan for Peace

• Wilson proposes Fourteen Points—outline for lasting world peace

• Calls for free trade, end to secret alliances, military buildups

• Promotes self-determination—right of people to govern own nation

• Envisions international peace-keeping body to settle world disputes

Treaty of Versailles

• Creates League of Nations—international organization to keep peace

• Germans blamed for war – forces Germany to pay damages to nations– Germany loses all of its colonies.

• New nations created from land lost by Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire.

Results of the Treaty of Versailles

• Germans angry after taking blame for war• Many Americans oppose League of Nations

– Want peace by staying out of European affairs. • Some former colonies express anger over not

winning independence– Fought in the war to prove they should be

independent

Review

• What caused the US to get involved in WWI?

• What were three effects of the war?

• What were three effects of the Treaty of Versailles?