U4L6 Winning the War Flashcards
Who was Karl Marx? What did he predict?
Marx had predicted that workers around the world would unite to overthrow the ruling class. After the workers revolted, they would do away with private property and set up a classless society.
What did Lenin think of Marx’s ideas?
Lenin embraced the ideas of Karl Marx, a German thinker of the 1800s. Lenin was determined to lead such a revolution in Russia.
Why did Lenin oppose the war?
Lenin opposed the war, arguing that it benefited only the ruling class.
What did Lenin do when he was in power?
Once in power, he opened peace talks with Germany.
What is the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
In March 1918, Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending Russia’s participation in the war. The treaty was harsh, requiring Russia to give up large amounts of land to Germany. Still, Lenin welcomed peace. With Russia out of the war, he could focus on the communist revolution.
How did the Allied forces react to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
The allied forces saw the treaty as a betrayal
How did the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk benefit Germany?
Through the treaty, Germany received coal mines and other valuable resources in Russia. More important, with Russia out of the struggle, Germany now moved its armies away from the Russian, or eastern, front to support its armies on the western front in France.
What did Germany hope to achieve with the “peace offensive”?
They hoped that a final push would end the war.
What was the “peace offensive”? Did it end the war?
By March 21, German forces had massed near the French town of Amiens. The offensive opened with dozens of German divisions lined up against a small British force. Late at night, 6,000 German cannons began pounding the British troops camped at Amiens. Despite the heavy fire, the British held on. The battle lasted for two weeks. At last, on April 4, the Germans gave up their attack. The Germans continued their offensive elsewhere. By late May, they had smashed through Allied lines along the Aisne River. On May 30, they reached the Marne River, just east of Château-Thierry. Paris lay only 50 miles away. At this point, American troops entered the war in force.
Who was commanding the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)?
John J. Pershing
What was Pershing known for before the war?
He had led American troops into Mexico in 1916 to hunt for Mexican rebel leader Francisco “Pancho” Villa.
Once the American troops got there, what did they ask of the American soldiers?
Allied generals wanted the fresh troops to reinforce their own war-weary soldiers. Pershing refused.
Allied generals wanted the fresh troops to reinforce their own war-weary soldiers, Pershing refused. What did he want to do instead? Why?
He insisted that American troops operate as separate units. The United States wanted to have an independent role in shaping the peace. Only by playing “a definite and distinct part” in the war would it win power at the peace table.
After some argument, what did Pershing do with the American soldiers?
Pershing agreed to let some Americans fight with the British and French. At the same time, he set up an American operation to fight on its own.
What was the Harlem Hellfighters? Who did they fight with in the war?
Among the first American units attached to the French Army was the 369th United States Infantry. This African American unit became known as the Harlem Hellfighters.
How did the French see the Harlem Hellfighters?
Although the United States allowed few African Americans to train for combat, the French respected the bravery of African American soldiers and were glad to fight side by side with them.
How did the French recognize the Harlem Hellfighters’s bravery?
The Harlem Hellfighters spent more time under fire than any other American unit. For their bravery, the French awarded them the Croix de Guerre, their highest military honor, and numerous other decorations.
After the war, how were the Harlem Hellfighter treated when they got back home to the U.S.?
New Yorkers greeted the returning Hellfighters with a huge parade. “God bless you, boys!” they cheered. The unit commander felt a rush of joy. “They did not welcome us [as] a regiment of colored soldiers,” he said, but as “a regiment of men who had done the work of men.”
As the Americans troops were heading into Battle of Belleau Wood, their first major battle, a French general sent General James Harbord of the United State a message, Have your men prepare entrenchments some hundreds of yards to the rear in case of need.”
How did General James Harbord say to his message?
Harbord sent back a firm reply: “We dig no trenches to fall back on. The marines will hold where they stand.”
How long did the Battle of Belleau Wood last?
Three weeks
