World War 1: The Last Two Years Flashcards
Discuss unrestricted submarine warfare.
Germans had introduced it by 1917.
Why did the US enter the war?
The sinking of the Lusitania, which killed over 1000 people. The Germans believed they were carrying cargo for the Allies, despite their denials.
Discuss the dissolving of the German army
August 8, “Black day of the German army”, when the German army crumbled.
They were fighting the battle of Amiens. In two days there was 20,000 dead and 30,000 that couldn’t go on anymore and so surrendered.
September 29, it is announce that Germany can win. USA brought influenza that quickly spread through Europe
Novermber 9, the Kaiser resigns.
Discuss ‘Little Willie’
They were British tanks in early development. They brought low morale to German troops because they couldn’t fight it. Germany hadn’t put enough stock or money into the new technology.
What is ‘total war’?
War that is unrestricted in terms of the weapons used, the territory or combatants involved, or the objectives pursued, especially one in which the laws of war are disregarded.
Why did the US enter the war?
The sinking of the Lusitania, which killed over 1000 people. The Germans believed they were carrying cargo for the Allies, despite the American denials that it was just a passenger ship.
The US entered the war and declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917.
Why did the Russians leave the war?
Revolution in Russia lead the Russians to ask for a peace treaty. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is the result.
Discuss the countries left in the war after Russia leaves.
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey
Britain, France, US, Italy.
The war ends. . . but at what cost?
British are dominating the Middle East.
Russian revolution = communism.
Massive casualties.
Economic costs.
Psychological costs.
Social costs.
Europe and its colonies are totally devastated.
Discuss the conquering of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the Muslim/Jewish center. Allenby enters Jerusalem December 1917. He didn’t want to be seen as a Christian defeating religious territory like the crusades. It was difficult not to due to the army he was leading from a Christian country.
This conquering was the shift of the Ottoman power to British power.
Discuss the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
Carved up the Middle East into zones of influence. Had to be careful around Palestine due to the large Jewish population and Zionism. The Jews were fighting for a Jewish homeland to recreate the Israel kingdom. British Jews were fighting for this so the British were careful and thinking about the future.
