World War 1 Flashcards
Nationalism
Belief that national interests and ethnic unity should come before global issues
1. France and Germany compete for power
2. Russia protects the Slavs including Serbs
3.Countries looking for colonies in Africa and Asia
Imperialism
Exerting economic and political control over another country.
Militarism
Build-up of weapons
1. Germany feels “encircled” by Russia and France
2. Britain, France and others respond with a build-up of their own
Causes of WWI “The Long Fuse”
Nationalism
Imperialism
Militarism
Alliance system
Alliance System
Two major systems develop to protect others in their system
1. Triple Entente (Allies) - France, Great Britain, Russia, (Serbia and others)
2. Central Powers-Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
What was the incident that started the war? Lights the fuse
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - June 28, 1914
- Heir to Austrian throne
- Killed by Serb Terrorists known as the “Black Hand” -Gavrilo Princip
Austria declares war on Serbia
Russia comes to Serbia’s aid
Germany feels encircled and attacks France
And of course, the British must go to the aid of their ally!
What was America’s involvement initially?
Neutral
The British block food and supplies to Germany; America honors blockade
Germany responds by attacking ships with their U-Boat submarines
They sink the Lusitania -more than 1,000 die (128 Americans)
American government stays out but more and more citizens are outraged
The Zimmerman Telegram- (coded message which we’ll read shortly)
April, 1917-America goes to war to “make the world safe for democracy”
(President Woodrow Wilson – Tried to avoid war. “1916 He kept us out of war”)
When and why did the US join the war?
April, 1917-America goes to war to “make the world safe for democracy”
What were the fronts?
- Eastern - Russia
- Western - France
- At Sea-Allies use convoy system to protect troops and supplies
Describe the Trenches
- trenches - deep lines dug across France
- Fighting rages from 1914-1917 – America enters in 1917
- “No man’s land” expanse between the two sides - barbed wire, mud, death
- by 1917 morale of Allies very low because of life in diseased, rat infested, muddy trenches – Rain would fill trenches with disease.
- arrival of Americans provides hope most of all
What was used in Mechanized Warfare?
- tanks
- airplanes
- U- Boats
- Vehicles
What weapons were used?
- Long-Range cannons (9-mile Big Bertha)
- Zeppelins – Bombing and surveying
- Machine Gun – 600 rounds/minute
- Mustard Gas – Chlorine
The Russian Revolution
A. Russian people are exhausted, starving from the war effort.
B. Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin will overthrow Tsar Nicholas and create a communist country.
Russia will sign a peace treaty with Germany and leave the war in 1917
What was “The War at Home”
A. Congress gives Wilson more power
1. War Industries Board-controls waste in the production of goods
a. women’s fashions change as result!
b. ‘meatless’, ‘wheatless’ and ‘sweetless’ days
c. Victory Gardens
B. Civil Liberties (Rights) become restricted
1. Espionage and Sedition Acts- couldn’t appear disloyal to war effort
C. Selective Service Act – Men are drafted to fight. Some men who are opposed to war for various reasons become “conscientious objectors”
D. Liberty Bonds: You invest money with the government to pay for the war, if we win, you get your money back with interest
When did US fight battles?
July 1917 to Nov. 1918 and turn the war in favor of the Allies. 11/11/18 – Armistice Day
