World War I Flashcards
Overview of the war
July 28, 1914-November 11, 1918
France Russia Great Britain Serbia Belgium Italy (1915) USA (1917)
vs. Germany AH Ottoman Bulgaria
Germany’s plan and action
Schlieffen Plan–sweeps into France through Belgium and almost takes out France. Intended to switch to eastern front after
Why did Britain join the war?
defend Belgian “neutrality”
Major battles of 1914
First Battle of the Marne in Sep.–ended German offensive
Tannenberg, Prussia, Aug –Russian invasion repulsed and wrecked
Western Battles of 1916
Battle of Verdun–Feb-Dec –French gain ground back–General Petain
Battle of the Somme–July-November –1.2 million die–largest battle in west–British fighting back
Ottoman help
Gallipoli–defeats British offensive under Winston Churchill
Eastern front–1915
Russians pushed from Poland–no industry or leaders
Arabian influence
Britain gets Arabs under Lawrence of Arabia to take holy land and such in 1917/18
Balfour Declaration and conflict
promising Zionists that they would make a holy land when they win
Also promised Arabs for land
Italian deal and switch
Italy joins Allies in 1915 with secret promises of getting Austrian land–wrecked, but were a distraction
Events of 1917
Russia leaves in revolutionary March
US joins in April–Wilson
Third Battle of Ypres–July-Nov 10 –allies win
Why did the US join the war?
Germany resumed submarine warfare
Zimmerman Telegram
American creditors would be broke if allies lost
Ludendorff Offensive
1918 Germany closing on Paris against allies under Foch,
USA joins for one last push under John Pershing
The Spring Offensive
1918 Belleau Wood the Marines win huge battle against best Germans
100 Days Offensive
-almost 2 million casualties, allies break German army
