Kelly,+Carly,+Lauren,+De'Ares

Research At first, no one was sure what had happened. The bomb hit the side //of// the car and bounced off, rolling toward the car behind. The explosion shook the street. People screamed and ran. The driver //of// the //archduke's// car sped up, whisking his passengers away to their planned reception at City Hall. The //archduke// and his wife were shaken, but unhurt. "No one would try to kill me twice in one day," he said, but at the mayor's urging, he agreed to leave the city as quickly and quietly as possible. On a small side street, the //archduke's// car slowed to make a tight turn. Gavril Princip, a nineteen-year-old Serbian revolutionary, ran suddenly at the car, firing his gun at the //archduke// and his wife, shooting and killing them both. His death led to the Austrian government making very strong demands on Serbia. Russia, keen to gain influence in Serbia, supported the Serbs. Days later [|the First World War] had begun with the Germans declaring war on Russia. [|Austrian] Foreign Minister [|Count Leopold von Berchtold's] initial stance is one of moderation; dismiss Belgrade's minister of police, jail all suspected terrorists, and dissolve extremist groups. Austrian army Chief of Staff [|General Conrad von Hotzendorff] wants invasion but needs sixteen days to mobilize his troops. The Austrians are aware of a trip by [|French] President Raymond Poincare and Prime Minister Rene Viviani to [|Russia] that will end 23-Jul-1914. It was agreed that no action should take place until then. It would not do to have French and Russians in such close contact during the crisis to follow. Hungarian Prime Minister, Count Istvan Tisza, does not want any action that could bring war with Russia. He is in direct conflict with Austrian counterpart, Count Berchtold

July 28th at 11:00 am (one month after assassination) Austria declares war on SerbiaAugust 1st Germany mobilizes and declares war on Russia T he Sinking of the Lusitania:It was crossing from New York to Southampton on 7 May 1915, when she was hit off the southern coast of Ireland by a lone torpedo fired without warning, and sank within twenty minutes. She took with her 1,192 passengers and crew, including 128 then-neutral Americans. Both Germany and Great Britain exploited the event for their own ends, for at stake was US intervention in WW I. Germany emphasized that newspaper advertisements in the USA had warned passengers of the perils of sailing in wartime, but more importantly that // Lusitania // had virtually exploded on being hit, as though she was carrying ammunition. Great Britain highlighted the fact that U-20 had fired without warning and that nearly 2,000 civilians had died, especially neutral citizens. // Lusitania // was in fact carrying a small quantity of ammunition, which in theory made her a legitimate naval target, but recent marine archaeology suggests that it was coal dust in her near-empty bunkers, triggered by the torpedo, that blew a cavernous hole in her side. Attack without warning defied American support of neutral/noncombatant rights. On 13 May, President [|Woodrow Wilson] asked Germany to disavow its action but avoided a diplomatic break, having noted that a people could be “too proud to fight.” When Germany delayed, Wilson moved to preserve national honor, rights, and prestige, insisting on visit‐and‐search, indemnity, and no further attacks on liners. Secretary of State [|William Jennings Bryan] resigned in protest. Eventually, Germany suspended unrestricted attacks, and in February 1916 it apologized and offered indemnity without acknowledging illegality. But the incident strengthened America's perception of Germany as a ruthless and law‐less nation.

  Schlieffen   Plan     The military plan   developed in 1905 by the Chief of the General Staff, Alfred Graf von Schlieffen  <span style="font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (b. 1833, d. 1913), in case Germany was involved in a two-front war against France and Russia. In such an event, German forces would first circumvent the French defence lines by attacking through Belgium and the Netherlands to secure a quick victory in the west, before taking on the Russians in the east. The <span style="font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">plan <span style="font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">had no regard for political considerations at all, so that when it was implemented at the start of  [|World War I]  <span style="font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, Belgium, despite its neutrality, was simply overrun, an act which finally spurred the British to join forces with their French allies and declare war on Germany. The <span style="font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">plan <span style="font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> also strengthened the Germans' desire to go to war as soon as possible, because they held that if war became inevitable, they would have to strike as quickly as possible to surprise the French. was a coded telegram dispatched by the Foreign Secretary of the German Empire, Arthur Zimmermann, on January 16, 1917, to the German ambassador in the United States of America, Johann von Bernstorff, at the height of World War I. Telegram instructed Ambassador Eckardt that if the United States appeared likely to enter the war he was to approach the Mexican government with a proposal for military alliance What it said…….. On the first of February, we intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and make peace together. We shall give generous financial support, and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details of settlement are left to you. 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, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence with this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call to the attention of the President that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England to make peace in a few months. This message helped draw the United States into the war and thus changed the course of history.
 * Zimmerman Telegram**

was passed by the Congress of the United States on May 18, 1917 registering all males between the ages of 18 and 26 Act gave the President the power to draft men for military service Under current law, all male U.S. citizens are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. In addition, foreign males between the ages of 18 and 26 living in the United States must register Failure to register as required is grounds for denying a petition for US citizenship. "Willful" failure or refusal to present oneself for registration is against the law Could face up to five years in jail and up to $50,000 to pay if convicted Women are exempted
 * Selective Service act**

it was traditionally not possible to defend more than a short defensive line or isolated strong point. fighting from a network of fortifications dug or constructed at or below ground level. It developed as a protracted method of warfare after the machine gun had become the main battlefield weapon. Trench warfare involved different types of trenches, such as firing trenches, cover trenches, supply trenches, and communication trenches. Firing trenches, from which troops fired weapons at the enemy, were backed up by cover trenches, which provided a second line of defense in case enemy troops overran the firing trench. “Resting” off-duty troops lived in dugouts in support trenches. Supplies and fresh troops were transported to the front via a network of reserve and communications trenches. Between the trenches of opposing forces lay an area known as no man’s land. II Committee on Propaganda The Committee on Public Information, also known as CPI, was formed by Woodrow Wilson on April 13, 1917. The chairman of the committee was George Creel. The purpose of this committee was to influence the American people to support the U.S. involvement in WW1. The CPI started out using facts to curb the minds of the Americans, but slowly began to make the Germans out as “evil.” Movies such as The Claw of the Hun, The Prussian Cur, To Hell With The Kaiser, and The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin, all supported the opinion that the Germans were monsters. The media was playing into exactly what the committee wanted. Fabrications were shown, such as German soldiers killing babies or placing them on bayonets. The American people were told to be on the lookout for German spies, and patriotic organizations, such as the American Protective League and the American Defense Society, spied, tapped telephones, and opened mail in order to find these “spies.” Anyone who questioned the Allies’ progress, criticized the government, wanted peace, or were German Americans were targeted. German Americans were publicly humiliated and forced to kiss the American flag. All senses of media were used to convey the message that we should be in this war – radio, posters, newsprint, cable, movies, and the telegraph. Doughboys A doughboy is a slang term used for a United States Army infantryman. The reason for the term is unknown, but one theory is the term came from adobe walls of a Mexican town, during the Mexican American war. After awhile the uniforms of the men turned the color of the adobe walls, causing them to look as though they were covered in unbaked dough. Hence the term, “doughboy.” Doughboy was used very frequently during world war 1, both by the media in the U.S and Europe and by the army men themselves. Treaty of Versailles Signed June 28, 1919. The treated that ended war between Germany and the Allied Powers. Other Central Powers were dealt with in other treaties. Germany and it’s allies were forced the accept the blame for causing the war, lose some of their land, pay reparations (payments, equipment). Maybe Germans were tried as war criminals. Germany was forbidden to unite with Austria to form a larger nation. German armed forces will be no more than 100,00 troops. Manufacturing, importing, or exporting weapons is prohibited as well as armed aircraft, talks, and blockades on ports. David Lloyd George of Britian, Clemenceau of France, and Woodrow Wilson of America were present. The following land was taken away from Germany: Alsace-Lorraine (given to France) Eupen and Malmedy (given to Belgium) Northern Schleswig (given to Denmark) Hultschin (given to Czechoslovakia) West Prussia, Posen and Upper Silesia (given to Poland) 6,600 euros – total reparations 8469.78 billion dollars League of Nations was developed to keep the peace and to stop a war from occurring again. America refused to join to stay isolated. Germany and Russia was not invited to join. The base was held in Switzerland because it was a neutral country during the war. Wilson and World War I In 1914 almost all of Europe was in was involved in the war. However, the United States was currently not in the war. President Wilson encouraged the United States to stay out of the war. In 1916 Wilson was reelected as President. People believed he won the election because he kept us out of war. After the election Wilson tried to end the war by active mediation. The Germans, however, resumed unrestricted submarine warfare. Wilson goal was not to fight, but rather to inform the German emperor in the sternest way possible short of war that Germany's actions were unacceptable and risked a confrontation. Germany ignored the threat. At this point, many in the United States began clamoring for war. On April 2, 1917 Wilson asked Congress to declare war. It took 4 days for Congress to come up with their answer. On April 6 Congress finally declared war. Wilson signed the war declaration on April 7. Wilson wanted people to know that we were not fighting as an allied power but as an associate power. President Wilson said we were fighting to protect democracy from tyranny and to promote peace throughout the world. Over the next 18 months the United States built an army of 4 million men. They sent 2 million soldiers overseas to France. In May of 1917 Congress enacted a Selective Service bill at Wilson’s urging. This was used for drafting men into the armed forces. 3,000,000 men were drafted into the army, making the total size of the army at 4,800,000 men. Surprisingly Wilson saw that a lot of people supported the draft. By the end of the war we had 1,200,000 American men stationed over in France and about 112,000 men died.
 * Trench warfare**

Diary Entries

Kelly It’s June 8, 1916. We have been fighting the battle of Verdun since February 21 of this year. Already there have been thousands of casualties. The Germans just claimed Fort Vaux from our army. We were doing a good job at defending it, but we ran out of water, forcing us to surrender. If only we had more supplies, maybe I wouldn’t have had to see so many of my friends fall to the Germans. At least now it’s warm outside, unlike during the Battle of Douaumont, where it snowed heavily. All of us were so scared when Captain Charles de Gaulle was captured, but at least it gave us a chance to gather more men to continue this battle. We didn’t even know how much we were going to need the help. Unfortunately we did lose Douaumont; not once but twice. We just tried to get it back in May, but we failed and General Mangin refuses to try again. I wonder if we’ll ever get to claim back land that is ours or if it is lost forever. I don’t know how much longer I can stand being part of this battle. We aren’t winning any of the Forts and have already lost so many men. I fear for my life greatly. My other soldier friends have seen so much devastation, I can tell they are losing hope. We need a big win and some will power if we’re going to keep fighting in this war. I just hope that’s what is coming next.

Lauren March 13, 1918. The Great War is finally ending. There may be peace soon. We soldiers are wishing for it, we’re ready to return home. I’ve seen the horrors of the trenches because I lived there for quite some time. Few men in my unit have died because of war the others of this great flu. It doesn’t feel right that they risk theirs live to come fight and do not have the opportunity to actually fight for their country. As we were able to return home outbreaks of the cold were common. No one expected it to be the flu and start a world wide epidemic. Many of my friends have contracted the disease and died quickly after. I have been lucky to avoid this disease but I fear that soon I will die too. You hear the news daily about how it has spread throughout the world killing many. It deeply saddens me that this is happening at the end of a war, which may end in peace. No one will be able to experience this new world if it does.

Carly Each night as I lay here waiting to the sun to rise my body is becoming weaker and weaker. The rats are scurrying around my feet and up my legs. It seems like everyday there are more rats in our trench. We have to watch out for our food because the rats would come after our bread. The water was unsafe to drink because of the living bacteria that lived in it. Each day many soldiers were going through constant pain: lice, trench fever and trench foot were common. The smell of poison gas, cigarette smoke and sweat was beginning to become worse everyday. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.

De'Ares The date is June 3, 1918 my name is lieutenant De’Ares Rideout I am part of the U.S. Second Infantry we Chateau-Thierry formed the tip of the German advance towards Paris, some 50 miles south west. We were the second division and we were supposed defend from this attack by the Germans on behalf of the French by AEF commander and chief Jack Pershing we launched a counter attacked on June 3-4 with the assistance of the French tenth colonial division it was a hard fought battle with much blood shed and death on the battle field but we finally succeed and we pushed the Germans back across the Marne to Jaulgonne. The rest of the men and me were happy. Our morale was up with our success at Cantigny and now at Chateau-Thierry, but the fight wasn’t over yet. Two days later we had to the very difficult task of capturing Belleau Wood. This was very dangerous because this involved us crossing a wheat field swept from end to end with machine guns by the Germans. We started to advance on June 6. There was hardly any cover from the machine gun fire and on that day we suffered the most losses in the history. So many of out men died that day. It was tragic loss for us all of us. The Germans fiercely defended the woods. The third infantry brigade and we finally took the woods. Then the Germans captured it again and then we took it back from the Germans a total of six times. Before we finally pushed the Germans out we also captured the nearby villages of Vaux and Bouresche. This was a major battle for us it ran from June 6-26. By the end of this battle we suffered 9,777 casualties and 1,811 were fatal but we were able to take 1,600 German troops prisoner.

[|Timeline] <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);">