Background to WWI Causes- Industrialization, Imperialism, Militarism, Nationalism, Alliances Tensions- Powder keg of Europe- Balkan Peninsula, Serbs want independence from Austria Hungary Assassination of Austrian Archduke- Austria blames Serbia, declares war, Russia comes to their aid Triple Alliance- Germany gives Austria support, prepare for war, but Italy switches sides when war starts Triple Entente- France gives Russia support, Britain joins when Belgium is attacked Germany attacks Belgium and heads for France- Schlieffen plan- defeat France quickly then fight Russia Fight on western front becomes stalemate
World War I Battles: Western front- Marne (French stop German advance), Somme (British led), Verdun (German led), trench warfare, stalemate- horrible conditions A truly world war- Gallipoli (Britain attacks Turkey), colonies send troops to fight, Eastern Europe joins in, naval war over supply routes Eastern front (Russia) losing badly, leaves Russian Revolution 1917 southern front (Austria vs. Italy) dead locked American Neutrality US divided- represent many countries, many sympathize with Allies (Germany destroys neutral Belgium), supplies to Britain, Allies- Britain blockades Germany (severe food shortage)- Germany sinks ships to Britain (U-boats) unrestricted sub warfare, US angry (Lusitania) Wilson calls for peace Zimmerman note- Germany to Mexico, asking them to join the war. Unrestricted submarine warfare continues Congress declares war (April 6)
US joins the fight US prepares for war Selective Service/Draft- (3 million into service) 2 million sent to Europe/ 9 months of training African American- Segregated units- both combat (some officers) and non combat roles Women- perform non- combat roles (navy and marines) Ships and Supplies- Encourage shipyards- workers avoid draft, fabrication- parts built, sent to ship yard to assemble Convoy system- ships in packs with protection- U-boats lose battle US fight in Europe Fought at first as replacements, 1918 as separate army- Germany mounts attack (Russia out of war)- US pushes them back, turns tide of war New weapons- (mechanized war) Chlorine Gas, machine gun, artillery, bombs, tanks, planes, balloons Disease, filth, death, trenchfoot, shell shock
Total War all parts of country/ economy were involved War Industries board- organize/ regulate economy, production- fuel, food, railroads, victory gardens War Labor Board- deal with disputes of workers, improve conditions, lower work hours Women and African Americans get jobs, higher pay- Great Migration (move out of the south) Propaganda- get nation to support the war- Committee on Public Information, posters, paintings, cartoons, sculptures, speeches, leaflets Financing war- money from war bonds Intolerance - attacks on Immigrants Espionage and Sedition Acts, 1917, fine/ jail, interfere with draft or war bonds, or criticizing war effort, arrested thousands- Where is the 1st amendment?
End of the war November German mutiny, leads to Revolution, overthrow the Kaiser, 11/11/18 at 11:00 Germany surrenders 26 million dead, 20 million wounded, 10 million refugees, $ 350 billion Flu epidemic- killed between million worldwide- believed to be started in France or Spain, in fact started here in US- killed 500,000 in US, many young, good health- often turned into pneumonia The Paris Peace Conference - controlled by the four major allied powers The Big Four U.S. Woodrow Wilson FrenchGeorge Clemenseau Great BritainDavid Lloyd George ItalyVittario Orlando
Wilson’s plan for world peace- 14 points- 3 parts 1-5 issues that caused war 1. non- secret alliances 2. freedom of seas 3. lower tariffs 4. reduce weapons 5. consider needs of colonists new boundary changes according to self determination 14. League of Nations- to discuss differences
A Harsh Peace Britain/ France want to make Germany pay for the war, weaken its military- can’t wage war again. different opinions created conflict Italy, U.S. left the conference early The Treaty of Versailles designed to punish Germany. Major Provisions- Lost all overseas colonial possessions Severe restrictions placed on military (no navy) Forced to accept all blame for the war (war guilt clause) Payment of money to allied nations (reparations $33 billion)
Opposition in US say its too harsh main opposition to League of Nations- thought it would pull US into European problems Wilson wouldn’t compromise Senate votes it down Wilson tours US to gain support, has a stroke, dies 2 months later Result- Germany shocked by the loss of the war and the terms, leaves resentment, huge economic problems