1. Winning the War: Chapter 26, Section 3

2. I. Waging Total War
A. Total War = due to the fact that WWI was a modern, mechanized war
Countries channeled vast resources into the war effort
Men, supplies, etc…
Governments took on stronger role of directing the economic/cultural lives of their people

3. II. Economics of WWI
A. All warring nations except Britain imposed conscription = “the draft” (Britain later did in1916)
B. Germany set up a system of forced civilian labor also
C. Taxes rose, Governments borrowed huge amounts of $ to pay for WWI
D. Rationed consumer goods, set prices and forbid strikes

4. II. Economic Warfare Cont…
A. British navy imposed a blockade on North Sea against Germany
Stopped wartime goods and civilian goods (food, clothing, etc…)
Led to the “turnip winter” of
B. Germany retaliates
Used U-Boats to sink all ships carrying goods to Britain
May, 1915 = U=Boat sinks the Lusitania
128 of the passengers killed are American
Tensions b/w Germany and US mount

5. IV. Propaganda War A. Goal = control public opinion
B. Special boards censored the press
Wanted to keep discouraging news from reaching the public
Propaganda = 2 functions
Promote a cause
Damage an opponent’s cause
Purpose: motivate military, get financial support from people

6. Morale Collapses By 1917: Troops & Civilians are tired of war
Germany was enlisting 15 year old boys
Britain was nearly bankrupt
Other Factors Causing Low Morale:
Many casualties
Food shortages
Failed military ventures
Results of Low Morale:
Troops in many French units mutinied
Italian soldiers began deserting
Russian soldiers left the front to join in their Revolution at home

7. The Revolution in Russia & The Allies
Causes of the Revolution:
3 hard years of war
Incompetent Generals
Corruption
March, 1917: Bread Riots erupt in St. Petersburg
Revolution will bring down the Russian Monarchy
Allies (Including U.S.) hope for a new, democratic leader…
V.I. Lenin comes to power
Ends Russian involvement in WWI by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Russian Withdrawal = Germany could concentrate forces on the Western Front
Made WWI more difficult for the Allied Powers