Unit 4 Lesson 6 Winning the War Flashcards
Who was Karl Marx and what did he beleive in?
A German thinker of the 1800s. 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.
Who was Lenin and whose ideas did he belive in?
Lenin embraced the ideas of Karl Marx, Lenin was determined to lead such a revolution in Russia.
What did Lenin do about the war?
Lenin opposed the war, arguing that it benefited only the ruling class. Once in power, he opened peace talks with Germany. 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 allies react to to Russia’s withdrawl from the war?
The Allies saw the treaty as a betrayal. 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 was the peace offense?
In early 1918, Germany mobilized its troops for an all-out attack on the Allies. By March 21, German forces had massed near the French town of Amiens. The Germans were preparing what they called a “peace offensive.” They hoped that a final push would end the war.
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.
Who was General John J Pershing
Commanding the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) was General John J. Pershing. Pershing was already well known at home. He had led American troops into Mexico in 1916 to hunt for Mexican rebel leader Francisco “Pancho” Villa.
How did General Pershing lead his soilders?
Allied generals wanted the fresh troops to reinforce their own war-weary soldiers. Pershing refused. He insisted that American troops operate as separate units. The United States wanted to have an independent role in shaping the peace
In the end, 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.
Who were the Harlem Hellfighters?
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. 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.
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, New Yorkers greeted the returning Hellfighters with a huge parade.
What was The Battle of Belleau Wood?
In June 1918, American troops plunged into their first major battle in Belleau (BEH loh) Wood, outside Paris.
The Battle of Belleau Wood raged for three weeks. During a series of attacks and counterattacks, the inexperienced but combat-ready Americans performed bravely. Expert marksmen hit their targets from hundreds of yards away. Individual soldiers charged German machine gun nests. When one man fell, another stepped in promptly to take his place. The Americans suffered great casualties. But at last, on June 25, they emerged victorious from the woods.
Battle of the Argonne
On September 26, 1918, in response to Foch’s cry, “Everyone to battle!” more than one million American soldiers pushed into the Argonne Forest. This would be the final Allied offensive. Years of fierce fighting had left the land scarred with trenches and shell holes. The air still smelled of poison gas that had been used with deadly results against the men in the trenches in earlier battles.
At first, the Americans advanced despite heavy German fire. Then, rains and the thick woods slowed their movement. Small units drove forward to capture deadly German positions. Armed with a single rifle, Sergeant Alvin York of Tennessee wiped out a nest of German machine gunners. His brave act helped clear the way for advancing American troops. York became the most decorated American soldier of the war.
Finally, after 47 days, the Americans broke through the German defense. They had won the Battle of the Argonne Forest. However, the cost was high. Americans had suffered more than 100,000 casualties in the battle.
British, French, and Belgian forces also smashed through the German lines in their areas. By November, German forces were in retreat. After more than four years of fighting, the Great War was finally nearing its end.
What agreements did Germany have to met to end the war?
An armistice is an agreement to stop fighting. President Wilson set two conditions for an armistice. First, Germany must accept his plan for peace. Second, the German emperor must abdicate, or give up power.
On November 9, the German emperor was forced to resign. He and his son fled to Holland, and Germany became a republic. The new German leaders agreed to the armistice terms. At 11 A.M. on November 11, 1918—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—World War I ended at last.
Casualites of the war
A generation of young Europeans lost their lives. Between 8 million and 9 million people died in battle—more than had died in all the wars fought during the previous 100 years. Almost 4 million Russian, French, and British soldiers were killed. Germany alone lost close to 2 million men. The United States lost over 100,000 men. Many more died of diseases. More than 20 million soldiers on both sides were wounded.
