ch. 29 sec. 3

In what ways was World War I truly a global conflict?

It started with Germany and Austria-Hungary along with Russia. But then the Ottoman Empire allied with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Then Germany sunk the Lusitania which then involved Britain, France, and the U.S. Then Italy and Bulgaria joined in hopes of gaining more new territory and power. Serbia was forced in when Germany and Austria-Hungary attacked them. Meaning, everyone on the globe was involved. WWI affected everyone's lives.

Do you think governments are justified in censoring war news? Why or why not?

No, all news should be known to people how it is really happening, instead of hiding the truth.

What factors helped prompt the United States to join the war for the Allies?

One factor was unrestricted submarine warfare on US civilian ships. Another factor was ties to Britain. The last factor was the Zimmerman telegram in which Germany tried to ally with Mexico against the USA. This telegram pushed the U.S. into war.

Armistice

Peace agreement. On November 9, 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II stepped down. Germany declared itself a republic. A representative of German Republic met with French Commander Marshal Foch. They signed an armistice, an agreement to end WW I.

Propaganda

Propaganda: WW I governments resorted to using propaganda, one-sided information designed to persuade, to keep up morale and support for the war.

Unrestricted submarine warfare

Sinking ships without warning. German's sunk the Bristish passenger ship Lusitania in May 1915. Stopped this practice until the Germans, desperate for an advantage over the Allies, announced on January 1917 that their submarines would sink any ship in the British waters

Rationing

So many goods were in short supply that governments turned to rationing. Under this system, people could buy only small amounts of those items that were also needed for the war effort.

What was the significance of the Second Battle of the Marne?

The Second Battle of the Marne caused the Central Powers to collapse. In July 1918, the Allies and Germans clashed at the Second Battle of the Marne. Leading the Allied attack were some 350 tanks that rumbled slowly forward, smashing through the German lines. With the arrival of 2 million more American troops, the Allied forces began to advance steadily toward Germany. The war would soon be over.

Which of the non-European countries had the greatest impact on the war effort? Explain.

The U.S. because it supplied the most troops and helped turn the tide in the Allie's favor.

Write a paragraph explaining how the concept of total war affected the warring nations' economies.

The concept of total war can both destroy and help a warring countries economy. The warring country will see an increase in jobs and work because of being at war, but if they lose the war the economy is devastated./ In WW I, Germany didn't have enough agriculture to grow sufficient food for the population, nor did it have enough raw materials to produce everything it needed for the war effort. The naval war went against Germany, with the Royal Navy blockading its ports. Equally its land trade routes were unable to import the goods because of the war in Europe. As time progressed, shortages became more and more severe. Many foodstuffs were made from lower quality alternatives, dubbed 'ersatz'. The quality of equipment issued to soldiers declined. Eventually the toll was too much on the people and morale collapsed. The war became unsustainable and they agreed to the terms of the armistice.

What role did women play in the war?

Total war meant that governments turned to help from women as never before. Thousands of women replaced men in factories, offices, and shops. Women built tanks and munitions, plowed fields, paved streets, and ran hospitals.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Treaty between Russia and Germany that would end Russia's involvement in WWI in 1917

Total war

World War I became a total war. Countries devoted all their resources to the war effort. The Allies and Central Powers each used the force of their governments towards winning the conflict. They took over their own economies. They told factories what to produce, even converting some to make weapons.