WORLD WAR I “ THE WAR TO END ALL WARS ”
World War I
Weapons Torpedoes shot by Submarines- 1 st used Ships Chlorine & Mustard Gas 1st used Tanks-1 st used Zeppelin - known as Blimps Long Range Artillery Bolt-Action rifle Machine Guns Airplanes- 1 st used
Kaiser Wilhelm II- German Leader Kaiser Wilhelm asked Count Schlieffen to devise a plan which would allow Germany to fight a war on two fronts- plan included taking Paris within 6 weeks so could fight on Eastern front only – known as Schlieffen Plan
Russian Revolution Russia dealing with own Revolution Bolsheviks,communist group, take charge with LENIN their leader –Communism: a political system in which a single party holds power and the state controls the economy with the goal of common ownership of property March 1918 Russia withdraws from war by signing Treaty of Brest-Litovsk –Germany ready to have a single front war (western front)
America ’ s Path to War President Woodrow Wilson declared path of neutrality –Americans initially supplied both the Allies and the Central Powers After Lusitania, Zimmermann Telegram & -Had loaned money to the allies Americans entered the war on side of the Allies April 12 th 1917
Zimmerman Telegram Germany proposal To Mexico If join on their side will help them to regain “lost” territories of Az., New Mexico and Texas
Lusitania The Lusitania was a British cruise liner, sunk by a German U-boat. The Sinking of the Lusitania, with 139 Americans on board (128 killed), prompted the United States to join the allies
American Civilians War Bonds: low interest loans by civilians to the government Propaganda: opinions expressed for the purpose of influencing others Opinions of the people showed in two hit songs “Over There” and “I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier” Victory gardens, protestors, civil liberties (Select Service Act, Espionage Act, Schenck vs. US)
CIVIL LIBERTIES dispute Select Service Act: requires all males to sign up for military service »Espionage Act: 1917 law that set heavy fines& prison terms for anti-war acts »Sedition Act: made it illegal to criticize the government »Schenck vs. United States: a court decision that upheld the Espionage Act and declared that it was NOT a violation of the 1 st amendment during war.
End of the War Nov 11 th 1918 Germany’s allies had already dropped out so they agree to an armistice: a temporary peace between opponents so they can discuss peace terms.
Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson wanted the treaty to be based on his Fourteen Points: Presidents Wilson’s list of American goals for the post-WWI period The Big Four David Lloyd-George Great Britain Georges Clemenceau France Vittorio Orlando Italy eventually had pulled out of the conference and did not play a role in constructing the final draft of the Treaty of Versailles PEACE TERMS
Treaty of Versailles June Reparations (pay war damages) for Germany of $30 billion 2. Military limited to 100,000 people+Navy only allowed 6 war ships 3. Give Alsace-Lorraine to France 4. Germany had to take blame for war 5. Give up colonies 6. Germany and Austria can NOT join together 7. Demilitarize the Rhineland (border w/France) 8. Trials for German War Leaders 9. Creation of New Nations –see map 10. Create a league of nations A League of Nations was formed but the U.S. did NOT join. They were fed up with involvement in European affairs. The USA became more isolationist.
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