2+World+War+I

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 * ===Causes:===
 * Specific Spark: The war started with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand (heir to the Austria-Hungry throne) and his wife on June 28th. They were killed in Serbia by a secret terrorist group from Serbia, The Black Hand, so the Austrian government blamed the Serbs for the deaths. Austria and their alliance of Germany, declared war on Serbia. Serbia had the alliance of Russia, England, and France. War began.
 * Overall Causes: During the time of World War I majority of the countries all over the world had an industrial revolution. They were trying to make their country the best and they were trying to out do other places. Germany was especially building their country up, adding to their navy and all other parts of their country. There was tension already built up by the time of the assassination. Militarism was strong for most countries, each one trying to build the strongest forces and use it on other countries whenever possible. Imperialism was a factor because countries like Germany were very interested in expanding their empire, which caused fear because other countries didn't want to be under the control of someone else. Building up to the war was basically an arm's race, and "power race."
 * ===Major Players:===

//(Tangle of Alliances)//


 The Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist society, assassinated Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, whom was to start his ruling a few weeks later. **I.** **Austria-Hungary**  One of the two sides of the World War I Declared war on Serbia after the assassination //A. // //Germany // Treaty to defend Austria-Hungary and become alliances The other side of the World War I //A. // //Russia // Treaty to defend Serbia and start to support the country It takes about 12 weeks for the Russians to become heavily involved //B. // //France // France had an obligation to help defend Russia with a treaty Was soon declaring war against the Austro-Hungarian and German alliance //C. // //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Britain //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> Loosely bounded by a treaty to protect France found it a moral obligation to help defend Also defended Belgium //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">1. // //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Australia, // //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Canada, India, New Zealand, Union of South Africa //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> Because of Britain's involvement, these countries become involved with military and financial aid //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">D. // //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Japan //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> Japan was bounded to help defend Britain and found it an obligation to get involved Two days later, Austria-Hungary declared war on Japan as well //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">E. United States //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> Despite America's attempts to remain a neutral status in the war they finally saw fit to get involved when the unrestricted submarine warfare campaign started and the Zimmerman telegram was undeciphered.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">II. ** **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Serbia **

American joining War World I:
America became part of World War 1 on April 6th, 1917. Before that date America had remained neutral for the benefits of trading and because President Wilson had know the situation was a mess of European alliances. President Wilson had the right approach because he had the support of many Americans. They heard the stories of the trench warfare and were glad they were not a part of it. Small groups (such as American-Germans and American-French) wanted to be involved for their group's sake, but the majority supported Wilson, which was important since he was up for reelection. When America was neutral it made overseas trade difficult. Trade could happen with both sides and ships could cross the Atlantic to trade but the British had a naval blockade on the German coastline so there could be trade between America and German even though neither countries were at fault. Germany started using submarine warfare. Germany announced on February 18, 1915 that it would be at a naval war with the nations trading with the British. They started doing this because Alli ships would put on a neutral flag to avoid being sunk. America sent a letter to Germany declared that it would hold the Germans responsible for any sunken American ships. At this point in the war, Germany could not afford to have America involved in the war. Germany then decided they would not attack any neutral ships, especially American ships. On February 22, 1915, Germans started attacking ships, but none of the ships attacked were neutral. The neutral shipping had been slowed with the original announcement from Germany but in no time, the shipping resumed because they felt they were safe. However, on May 7, 1915, the Lusitania, a British liner, was sunk. There were 128 American citizens that died in this sinking. The American people were outraged but this was not enough for President Woodrow Wilson to declare war since the ship was not actually American and the Germans promised to cover costs for any American ships that were sunk. America and Germany were on good terms again and America tried to help Britain and Germany reach peace in the Memorandum. The countries were close to peace when the Sussex was sunk on March 24, 1916. Two Americans died but America had no problems with Germany by the mid-1916s. However, Britain ignored the Memorandum and tried harder to stop ships that wanted to trade with Germany. During the Easter Rising in Dublin, Britain had put down the protests bu treated anyone arrested very poorly. This caused anger to rise in the Irish community within America. Some people viewed the situation as Britain losing any moral standards and no longer wanting peace. November 7, 1916, Wilson was re-elected as president. He still wanted peace and tried to have the countries negotiate but Britain and France could only have their standards met through a military victory. Things started to change when Germany declared they could have unrestricted submarine warfare on January 9th, 1917. President Wilson continued to try to make peace between the sides and in mid-January he had secret meetings with both sides to try to reach a peace agreement. He was quoted saying " Peace had to be a peace of reconciliation, a peace without victory, for a victor's peace would leave a sting, a resentment, a bitter memory upon which terms of peace would rest, not permanently, but only as upon quicksand." On January 19, 1917, Germany wrote a telegram to Mexico. The Zimmermann Telegram came from The German Foreign Minister Zimmermann and went to the German Ambassador of Mexico. Zimmermann warned the Ambassador that they would be having unrestricted submarine warfare again and the Mexicans could suffer from this unless they allied with Germany. The Germans wanted to offer the Mexicans that if they joined the war against America, the Germans would give them support finacialy and they could reconquer land in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The Germans also wanted the Mexicans to try to get Japan off the Allied side. The telegram is listed below: "On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement. You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. Zimmerman" <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> The Britians intercepted the telegram and released it to the President of the Untied States on February 24, 1917. The note was realeased to the world on March 1st. Mexico and Japan denied any link to the telegram but on March 3rd, Zimmermann admitted the telegram was true. This angered the Americans and they now wanted to have America join the Allied side. On April 2nd, <span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif;">President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany and when the vote was cast on April 6th, there was only one vote against the war. America was officialy on the Allied side of World War I. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> June 28th 1914; Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated at Sarajevo. A Serbian terrorist society called, the Black Hand, are responsible for the assassination.
 * ===<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Major Events: ===

July 5th, 1914; German promised to support Austria in the war to be declared against Serbia.

Early August, 1914; Russia entered the war on Serbia's side, followed by France and then Britain. This side would be referred to as the 'Allies.'

October 29th; Turkey entered the war on Germany's side.

May 7th, 1915; The Lusitania was sunk by a German battle ship. About 128 Americans on board died but because the ship was operated by Britain, America remained with its neutral status.

January 1917; The Zimmerman telegram was deciphered by Britain. The message was a secret one sent from Germany to Mexico, offering United States territory if Mexico were to join the German cause in the war. //<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">"""The telegram had such an impact on American opinion that, according to David Kahn, author of The Codebreakers, "No other single cryptanalysis has had such enormous consequences." It is his opinion that "never before or since has so much turned upon the solution of a secret message." """ //

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">February 1st, 1917; Germany started the unrestricted submarine warfare campaign, stating they would shoot at any ship they felt necessary including American ships.

April 6th, 1917; America decides entering war on the Allie's side is the only way to end it. Despite Woodrow Wilson's attempts to keep peace in America, he saw there was no other way anymore.

September-November 1917; Many battles were fought and won in the favor of the Allie's. These included the Battle of Caporetto and the battle at Cabrai.

December 5th, 1917; Armistice between Germany and Russia is signed

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">December 9th, 1917; Britain captures Jerusalem from Turkey

March 3rd, 1918; The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between Russia and Germany.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">July 15th, 1918; The Allie's advanced in the Battle of Marne. This was the start of the German military collapsing.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">October 4th 1918; Germany asked the Allie's for an armistice and a couple weeks later the German navy mutinied.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">November 11, 1918; Germany signed an armistice with the Allies. This is the official date of the end of World War I.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">January 4th, 1919; Peace conference met in Paris. The Treaty of Versailles was being drafted.

June 28th 1919; The Germans signed the Treaty of Versailles.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * ===<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">End of the War: ===
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Once America entered the war, the Allies made major advances towards the German bored around October 17, 1918. Alliances between the Central Powers began to collapse. Turkey was the first to sign an Armistice at the end of October 1918, followed by Austria-Hungary in the beginning of November 1918.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Germany started crumbling from the inside out. Faced with the prospect of returning once again to the sea, the sailors of High Seas Fleet stationed at Kiel mutinied on October 29th. After a few days the entire city was under their control and revolution spread throughout the country.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">November 9th a German republic was declared and and peace extended to the allies. At 5 am on the morning of November 11th an armistice was signed in a railroad car parked in a French forest near the front lines. The terms of the agreement called for the end of fighting along the entire western front to begin precisely at 11 am that morning. After more than four yeas of bloody conflict, the Great War was at an end.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * ===<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Outcome and Effects: ===
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Government changes- Many countries began to adopt more liberal forms of Government. Many Monarchy forms of government in Europe were adapting into Republics.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Effects of a Harsh Peace- The Treaty of Versailles was humiliating for Germany. The country had to accept responsibility for the cause of the war, and give large amounts of money to pay for war damage costs. This ultimately led to World War II.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Economic change- Technology was booming after the end of World War I. Also in an effort to pay back war costs many countries started printing more and more money which was causes inflation that seemed to show no limits.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Disillusionment- Many people were not trusting their government and political leaders after seeing the harsh outcomes of the World War I. Many loved ones lost on field, people were convinced their governments had no idea how to properly serve the people and do what is best for them. Emotional effects took place after the Great War just as much as governmental and economic.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">http://www.home.zonnet.nl/rene.brouwer/http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/chapters/index.html <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/america_and_world_war_one.htm

http://europeanhistory.about.com/cs/americainww1/p/przimmermantele.htm

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