Causes:
- Imperialism (ex. Britain's thirst for Africa and the conflict caused as other European countries began fighting for parts of it)
- Militarism (strengthening American military)
- Nationalism (pride in own country grows exponentially across the world)
- The crisis in Morocco (Germany challenges France's influence and worsens tension)
- Secret alliances (such as the ones between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy against France, but Italy also agreed to support France against Germany)
- Triple Entente: alliance between France, Russia, and Great Britain after French Italian alliance ends
- Assassination of Austria-Hungary's archduke gave an opportunity for Austrian control over Serbia
Why the U.S. entered the war
- German submarines attacked American passenger ships
- Germany established a naval blockade that interfered with British-American trade
- Germany pledged to maintain passenger safety in 1916 but continued to sink unarmed American passenger ships
- In 1917, Germany formed an alliance with Mexico and agreed to assist them regain land lost to the U.S.
- U.S. officially joined war on April 6, 1917
Average American soldier in WWI
- White American soldiers deployed to Europe are nicknamed doughboys
- Average 18-23 years old
- Immigrants and minorities are often denied as soldiers due to suspicion of their citizenship status even though congress stated all men of age were eligible
- Immigrants made up only 18% of soldiers
- Most soldiers were drafted
Summary of the First Battle of the Marne
- Involved France, German empire, and U.K.
- Occurred in September 1914
- Germany intended to seize Paris, but French held out until U.K. came to assist
- Germany suddenly changed direction of attack, but the French discovered and surprised Germans with new battle plan
- All accounts claim the French had unprecedentedly fast recovery and continued to fight even after injury and fatigue
- Successful and risky battle strategies and military strength resulted in French/Allied victory
Home front Experiences
- Main focus of citizens was to uphold the economy and food/goods production
- Women were given more involved opportunities in the national workforce ("men's work", ex. machinery and engineering, or ticket collectors, railway guards, etc.)
- Ethnic/racial minorities increase and are forced to adopt American ideals and ways of life because of the NAC (National Americanization Commitee)
- Life was difficult as food and resources were short, many falmilies struggled economically
- Many government agencies (FBI, American Protective League) targeted "unloyal" citizens who were against America's involvement and choices in the war
Outcomes of WW1
- Paris Peace Conference and signing of Treaty of Versailles, Germany is held accountable for the war and damage payment (German troops also limited to 100,000 and weapon production prohibited)
- About $33 billion Germany owed in reparations
- Wilson's Fourteen Points (to prevent future American involvement in European conflicts)
- Total deaths about 17 million and 20 million wounded
Credits:
Created with images by janeb13 - "war soldiers marine" • Gruenemann - "Evan as Doughboy 2" • Thoth, God of Knowledge - "Westinghouse - ELECTRICAL UTILITIES FOR THE HOUSEHOLD - Fuel and Labor"