Chapter 18 Flashcards
WW1 (32 cards)
Why did Russia withdraw from WW1?
Russia withdrew from World War 1 primarily due to the Russian Revolution, which brought the Bolshevik communist party to power; the new government, led by Vladimir Lenin, prioritized ending the war to focus on consolidating power within Russia
What difference existed between Wilson’s 14 points and the desires of France, Britain, and Italy at the Paris Peace Conference?
Wilson wanted to create peace, while the rest of the BIG 4 primarily sought to severely punish Germany through territorial losses and heavy reparations, prioritizing their own security and regaining lost territories over a broader vision of international cooperation
Why did the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles fail in the United States Senate?
It failed because of strong opposition to the League of Nations, a key part of the treaty, with many senators fearing it would infringe on American sovereignty and limit Congress’s power to declare war, leading to concerns about being drawn into future international conflicts without their approval; this opposition was largely led by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and included both “Irreconcilables” who refused to join the League under any circumstances and “Reservationists” who wanted amendments to the treaty before ratification.
What weapon was primarily responsible for the onset of “Trench Warfare”?
The destructive power of modern artillery and machine guns.
Why did Wilson believe that the League of Nations was the most important of his fourteen points?
He believed it was the key mechanism to prevent future wars by providing a forum for international cooperation and diplomacy, ensuring the territorial integrity and political independence of all nations, and allowing for collective action to resolve disputes peacefully, rather than through military force; essentially acting as a global peacekeeping organization to avoid the destructive conflicts that had led to World War I.
How did Wilson permanently change the United States’ role in the world when he requested a declaration of war from Congress?
He fundamentally shifted the United States from a largely isolationist nation to a major player on the global stage, marking the first time America actively joined a major European conflict and setting a precedent for future international involvement, particularly through his vision for the League of Nations, aimed at promoting collective security and world peace; this marked a significant departure from the traditional American policy of neutrality in foreign wars.
Why are people willing to sacrifice their Constitutional rights during a time of Crisis?
They are willing to give it up because of a perceived need to prioritize national security and unity, believing that temporary restrictions on individual freedoms are necessary to effectively combat a threat and protect the nation, even if it means giving up some personal liberties.
How did the failure of the Treaty of Versailles impact the course of world history for the next two decades that followed WW1?
It significantly contributed to the rise of extremist political movements like Nazism in Germany, ultimately leading to World War II, as the harsh terms imposed on Germany, including blame for the war and heavy reparations, created widespread resentment and economic instability, paving the way for Adolf Hitler to exploit these grievances and gain power.
Definition of imperialism?
Imperialism is the practice of a nation extending its power and influence over other countries or territories.
Definition of Militarism?
The belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
What was the Triple Alliance?
The Triple Alliance was a secret military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, where each member pledged to support the others if attacked by another great power, primarily aimed at countering France and Russia; this alliance was periodically renewed until it effectively ended during World War I.
What was the Triple Entente?
The Triple Entente was a diplomatic alliance between Great Britain, France, and Russia that formed in the years leading up to World War I. The word “entente” is French for “understanding” or “friendship”.
What was the Central Powers?
The Central Powers was a coalition of nations that fought against the Allied Powers in World War I. It primarily consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. These countries formed an alliance due to shared political, military, and strategic interests.
What was the Allied Powers?
The Allied powers were a collection of Nations who were fighting against the Central Powers. The Allied Powers consisted of France – A major European power and long-standing rival of Germany, involved in the war from the start. United Kingdom – Entered the war in response to Germany’s invasion of Belgium and its broader threat to European stability. Russia – Joined the war to support Serbia against Austria-Hungary, though it was eventually forced to withdraw after the Russian Revolution in 1917. Italy – Initially part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, but switched sides in 1915, hoping to gain territorial rewards.
Japan – Joined the war in 1914, targeting German colonial possessions in the Pacific and China. United States – Entered the war in 1917, tipping the balance in favor of the Allies with its vast resources and military power. Serbia, Belgium, Romania, Greece, and Portugal were among other countries that joined the Allied cause.
What was Trench Warfare.
Trench warfare was a dominant and grueling form of combat during World War I, particularly on the Western Front. It involved soldiers fighting from deep, narrow ditches or trenches dug into the ground, where they would take cover and defend against enemy attacks. This style of warfare emerged due to the advancements in military technology (such as machine guns, rapid-fire artillery, and rifles) which made traditional open-field battles highly deadly.
Conditions: spoiled food and water, Trench mouth, corpses/corpse rats, Trench coat( Lice ), rain/ floods, Trench foot, constant boming, little sleep, would eat, shit, and wear their helmets, would eat dead animals and rats, and Shellshock ( PTSD ).
What was the Sussex Pledge?
The Sussex Pledge was a promise made by the German government to the United States in 1916 to not sink or attack any passenger/ merchant ships.
What was the Zimmerman note?
The telegram proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico if the United States entered World War I. In exchange for Mexico’s support, Germany would provide military and financial aid, and Mexico would regain Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. However the British were able to decode this message and told the U.S. its contents.
What was the Lusitania?
The Lusitania was a British passenger liner that was famously sunk by a German U-boat (submarine) on May 7, 1915, during World War I. The sinking of the Lusitania played a significant role in shaping public opinion, particularly in the United States, and is often cited as one of the key events that led to the U.S. entering the war.
What was the Irreconcilables?
The Irreconcilables were a group of US Senators who opposed the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The group was made up of 12 to 18 senators, mostly Republican but also including some Democrats. The Irreconcilables were led by Senator William Borah of Idaho. The Irreconcilables were against the treaty for a number of reasons, including:
Article 10, This article of the treaty established the League of Nations and gave the League’s Council war powers, which the Irreconcilables believed ceded US government power. Sovereignty,
The Irreconcilables believed that a great power should not give up its sovereignty to an international organization.
Support from Theodore Roosevelt,
The Irreconcilables had the vocal support of former president Theodore Roosevelt.
What was the Reservationists?
The Reservationists were a group of senators who wanted to amend the Treaty of Versailles before ratifying it.
Leader: Henry Cabot Lodge, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman
Goals: To protect congressional war powers and reinforce U.S. policy
Reservations: Lodge added 14 reservations to the treaty, including one that would give the U.S. the right to increase its armaments without the League’s consent.
What were the fourteen points?
His first four points called for open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, the removal of trade barriers and the reduction of military arms. The fifth point proposed a fair system to resolve disputes over colonies. The next eight points dealt directly with self determination. The fourteenth point which Wilson believed was the most important called for the establishment of the League of Nations. The components of the Fourteen points expressed a new philosophy for U.S foreign policy. The Points applied the principles of progressivism to foreign policy. Most importanty the fourteen Points declared that the foreign policy of a democratic nation should be based on morality not just on what was best for the nation.
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany would pay Britain and France billions of dollars in
war damages, Germany would yield many of its colonies to France and
Britain, German would yield land along its western border to France,
Limit Germany’s military force and production of arms,
Organize a League of Nations: Japan, United States, Britain,
France, and Italy.
Causes of WW1?
Imperialism
▪ Caused conflict over colonies and resources.
Militarism
▪ Build up of weapons, naval fleets, and soldiers (“war machines”
being formed).
Industrial Revolution
▪ New weapons capable of greater destruction ever seen before in
human history.
System of Alliances
▪ Nations sworn to come to each other’s aide; leads to a chain
reaction in which multiple nations are dragged into war.
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, and Russia.
What was the BIG 4?
The leaders of the top Allied powers in World War I. The Big Four were:
Georges Clemenceau: Of France
David Lloyd George: Of the United Kingdom
Vittorio Emanuele Orlando: Of Italy
Woodrow Wilson: Of the United States
The Big Four met at the Paris Peace Conference in January 1919, where they dominated the proceedings that led to the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.
