Conflict & Tension Part 3 Flashcards
Why did US join the war?
After Germany sunk the Lusitania in 1925, which had 1,198 passengers. The US were angry& nearly joined war.
Kaiser stopped to prevent them from joining the allied side, but when they began attacking US ships again in 1917. The president Woodrow Wilson persuaded congress to join Britain & declared war on Germany in April.
Affects of USA joining the war
Britain got their supplies back via convoys.
Psychologically Germany received a blow as it meant they had more enemies.
German aircrafts could no longer attack England as their government ordered better search lights, anti aircraft guns and planes. Allies had upper hand as most of their manpower cane from USA. By 1918 their big guns could hit targets with impressive accuracy, & lay down smoke screens to cover their fire.
Russia withdraws from the war
In March 1917 Russia had a revolution.
The Tsar (Russian emperor) was overthrown & replaced with a temporary government.
Their offensive in June was a disaster.
In Nov a 2nd revolution was led by the Bolsheviks (Russian communist party) and instantly left the war. They had to sign the harsh Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which gave a lot of their land to Germany. Now, Germany could transfer lots of troops to western front.
Ludendorff offensive
Plan: start with tropical bombardment & gas attacks. Instead of wave of infantry, Ludendorff followed with attacks by smaller bands of special trained+lightly equipped ‘storm troopers’ who struck during heavy fog along front line. Tried to stop Allies massing in one place.
Initial successes of Ludendorff offensive
Germans broke through allied lines in many places, advanced 64km and Paris was now in range of heavy gunfire. Victory seemed possible.
During first day of german offensive, 21,000 brutish prisoners were taken.
Attacked launched by early April, 40 miles had been gained.
The Hundred Days
Between May&August the Germans made no more progress. They’d ran out of time and resources. Though they’d ended trench warfare, the allies were the ones benefitted. They had lots of well fed & equipped troops. Aug 8th, the allies counter attacked along Western Front. This was Germany’s ‘Black day’. By late Sept they’d reached the Hindenburg line. By Oct, Germans were in full retreat.
Failure of the Ludendorff offensive
German army lost 400,000 men in making breakthrough+had no reserves to call on.
Troops of 1918 were badly fed&supplied compared to troops of 1914.
Their discipline was poor.
Weakened considerably by blockade.
The abdication
The army generals wanted the Kaiser to give more power to politicians. It was widely believed he was standing in the way of peace. Only after social democrats threatened to resign from government did the Kaiser resign.
Riots had spread from the Kiel naval base to many german cities, he had to.
The impact of the blockade
Supplies&food weren’t getting into Germany, everyone was weakened.
Thousands died of poor diet in 1918.
Many attacks during the Ludendorff offensive were halted as troops looted stolen trenches for food.
The offensive was ruined due to lack of supplies coming in.
The Armistice
Chancellor Friedrich Ebert
Pres. Wilson tried to be fair but his 14 points were shot down by the allies. No negotiation.
Germany had to pay war reparations and severely reduce their army+navy.
There was no choice, but those who signed the armistice were later accused of stabbing Germany in the back. Had to hand over weapons etc.
Foch & Haig’s contribution to german defeat
Foch: French. He made the german punishment harsher. He spearheaded planning that halted german offensive.
Haig: British. Spring 1918, led determined resistance against the german offensive. August 1918, working under the overall control of Marshall Foch, led British army against main German armies. Promoted new strategies + tech.
Both decorated as war heroes.
