Unit 7: Topic 5 - World War I: Military and Diplomacy Flashcards
Why did the U.S. enter WWI?
The U.S. did not enter WWI (1914-1918) until 1917. After campaigning for President with a pledge to stay neutral, Woodrow Wilson reversed his stance and asked Congress for a Declaration of War. Causes of the declaration include:
- to make the world “safe for democracy” (Wilson’s official reason)
- the Zimmerman Telegram
- sinking of the Lusitania
- Germany’s continuation of unrestricted submarine warfare
- economic ties between the U.S. and the British
How did Germany’s submarine warfare contribute to U.S. involvement in WWI?
In 1915, A German U-Boat (submarine) sank the British passenger ship Lusitania killing 1,200 people. Among the deaths were 128 Americans. While this contributed to a popular movement to join WWI, the U.S. would not enter until 1917.
After the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany briefly stopped submarine warfare before resuming in 1916. Over the course of the year they continued to sink American merchant ships and passenger liner such as the Sussex (a French ship), killing several Americans each time. Each incident increased the pressure on Wilson to get involved.
What was the Zimmerman Telegram?
The Zimmerman Telegram was a message sent from the German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman to a German diplomat in Mexico. It was intercepted in 1917 by the British and became public knowledge in the United States.
In the telegram, Zimmerman asks for Mexico to reclaim their “lost territory” by invading the United States if the U.S. declares war against Germany. Although the U.S. was financially assisting the Allied Powers, they were technically neutral and remained out of WWI. As a result, the Zimmerman Telegram was seen as a major affront.
What was the significance of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI?
Because the United States joined WWI after it had been going for several years, the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) were sorely needed. Their arrival in Europe boosted the morale of Allied forces and provided them with millions of soldiers by the end of the war. While they were far from being the only contributors, the AEF helped tip the balance in favor of the Allies.
What was Woodrow Wilson’s plan to settle WWI?
Woodrow Wilson had hoped to avoid a peace agreement that was too harsh on Germany and the other Central Powers. Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” was his plan to promote world peace through open seas and trade, military de-escalation, open diplomacy, and the formation of a “League of Nations” to resolve international disputes.
The British and the French did not agree with the Fourteen Points and the only part that became a reality was the League of Nations. However, the U.S. Senate would decide not to join, so it was created without the participation of the United States.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles ending WWI?
The terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919) were very harsh on the Central Powers, most notably Germany. They were forced to pay war reparations, accept blame for WWI with the “war-guilt clause”, reduce almost all of their military, lose colonial possessions, and lose some territory on their immediate borders to neighboring countries. However, the treaty did include the creation of the League of Nations.
While there are more specific details, the general idea is that the Treaty of Versailles was so harsh that it would contribute to popular support for the Nazi party in the future.
Was the League of Nations successful?
The League of Nations, formed after WWI as part of the Treaty of Versailles, was not able to prevent a second World War. Because of this, it is largely considered to be a failure.
Part of the reason that the League of Nations was unsuccessful was the lack of participation from the United States. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge was able to keep the Senate from ratifying the treaty, preventing the U.S. from joining the League of Nations. After WWII, the League would be revamped with a newer and more successful international assembly, the United Nations.
