World War I -part 2
Germany's obligations as a result of the Treaty of Versailles
1. Germany must admit war guilt 2. Germany loses colonies 3. Germany pays $30 billion in reparations 4. Germany must disarm 5. Blockades on ships are prohibited. 6. Creation of an independent Polish state 7. The Covenant of the League of Nations is to be adopted 8. Member nations all have an equal vote in the assembly 9. Members must respect and preserve independence of all member nations 10. Members must submit to all disputes 11. Members must reduce armaments 12. Members must help set up an international court
President Wilson and 14 points
1. No secret treaties 2. Freedom of navigation of the seas 3. Removal of economic barriers to trade 4. Reduction of national armaments 5. Adjustment & self-determination for colonies 6. Withdrawal of foreign troops from Russia 7. Restoration of Belgium 8. Restoration of France and return of Alsace and Lorraine 9. Establishment of Italy's frontiers 10. Independence for Austria-Hungary 11. Independence for Romania and Serbia 12. Establishment of independent Turkey 13. Creation of Poland 14. Establishment of the League of Nations
Kaiser Wilhelm II
1888-1918. He pushed for a more aggressive foreign policy by means of colonies and a strong navy to compete with Britain. His actions added to the growing tensions in pre-1914 Europe. He wanted to establish more autocratic government. He supported the growth of German military and the stockpiling of arms.
What were the years of the WWI?
1914-1918
Total war
A conflict in which the participating countries devote all their resources to the war effort
Western Front
A line of trenches and fortifications in World War I that stretched without a break from Switzerland to the North Sea. Scene of most of the fighting between Germany, on the one hand, and France and Britain, on the other; , series of trenches dug by both sides in northern France; resulted in deadlock; the significance was that the Hindenburg line was the last line of German defense on the Western Front during World War I. Germany surrendered unconditionally less than a month after the Allies broke through the line.
Central Powers
A military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire.
14 Points
After WWI, this idea was proposed by President Wilson. It advocated open diplomacy, arms reduction, open seas, free trade, a League Nations, and national self-determination. France and Britain didn't agree with most of these ideas because they wanted colonies. Only the League of Nations was included in the Treaty of Versailles.
Name 2 main alliances BEFORE the WWI? Which nations were in which alliance?
Britain, France and Russia were in the Triple Entente, while Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were in the Triple Alliance.
Why did Britain officially declare war on Germany?
British policy in Europe intended that no country in Europe should become completely dominant. If Russia, France, Germany and Austria-Hungary worried about each other, then they would be less of a threat to Britain. By about 1907 it was becoming clear to Britain that the greatest potential threat to Britain was going to be Germany. The strong economy, large population and powerful armed forces of Germany seemed to be capable of dominating Europe. As a result, Britain began to support Russia and France. Britain joined the Triple Entente. Despite being part of the Triple Entente, Britain was not committed to going to war in 1914. The Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, spent much of the summer of 1914 furiously trying to reassure Russia and Germany and prevent a war happening. Even when German troops invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan, Britain did not have to go to war. Germany hoped Britain would stay out of the war altogether. However, the Germans knew that Britain had promised to defend Belgium under the Treaty of London of 1839. The Germans wanted the British government to ignore the Treaty of London and let the German army pass through Belgium. The British government made much of their duty to protect Belgium. Belgium's ports were close to the British coast and German control of Belgium would have been seen as a serious threat to Britain. In the end, Britain refused to ignore the events of 4 August 1914, when Germany attacked France through Belgium. Within hours, Britain declared war on Germany. The Kaiser said how foolish he thought the British were. He said that Britain had gone to war for the sake of a "scrap of paper". Within a few more days, Britain, France and Russia (the Allies) were all officially at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary (the Central Powers). What had started as a small, local problem in the Balkans was turning into the biggest and most brutal war the world had ever seen.
Schlieffen Plan
Germany's military plan at the outbreak of World War I, according to which German troops would rapidly defeat France and then move east to attack Russia. Attack plan by Germans, proposed by Schlieffen, lightning quick attack against France. Proposed to go through Belgium then attack France, Belgium resisted, other countries took up their aid, long fight, used trench warfare.
Allied Powers
Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia, and later the US
Who was the leader of Germany?
Kaiser Wilhelm II
World War I technologies
Machine Guns; Tanks; Poison Gas/Masks; Submarines; Airplanes; Radio; trench warfare; high-yield explosives, submarines and torpedoes
Who was Archduke Ferdinand? Why was he important?
Man whose assassination started World War I; The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife was critical in setting off the chain of events that led to the First World War. Not only was it a bad day for the Archduke and his family, but also a bad day for Europe. Franz Ferdinand was so important because he was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. When he was killed by Gavrilo Principe, Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia. The war turned so big because the countries allied with Austria-Hungary (the Triple Alliance) also went into war against Serbia. Countries also allied with Serbia (the Entente Powers) had to get involved too. The war grew bigger because then comprimises were made to ensure more men. Like the British that joined the war, had the Indian Armies on their side because the Indians thought they'd get self-governship and Independence because they, at the time, were being ruled by and governed by the British.
What were 4 main causes of WWI?
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
Why did the US enter the war?
Sinking of the Lusitania ( unrestricted submarine warfare), Zimmerman letter, make the world safe for democracy; Germany sent Mexico an offer (aka Zimmerman note) saying prevent the US from sending troops to Europe and after the war Germany will help get tex,ca,ar,nm,co,nv, back from the US, but the US interfered the letter and got involved in Europe
Self-determination at World War I
The ability of a government to determine their own course of their own free will; Wilson Woodraw
Article 231
This was the "war-guilt clause" in the Treaty of Versailles that placed total responsibility for World War I on Germany.
Describe the fighting on the Western Front
Trench Warfare; Barbaric. Mostly trench warfare where the military commanders would launch sloppy, unorganized, misguided, uncoordinated attacks against entrenched defenses. Most attacks became slaughters, until weaponry was developed to fight that type of war, such as tanks.
Who was the President of the US during the war? What was the name of his plan for peace?
Woodrow Wilson; 14 Points
Treaty of Versailles
the treaty imposed on Germany by the Allied powers in 1920 after the end of World War I which (1919) officially ended World War I and was signed at its namesake French palace after the Paris Peace Conference. It is noted for the "Big Four" (Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd-George, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Orlando) who headed the Allies' delegations, discussions of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points (particularly the League of Nations), and its disarmament, war guilt, and reparations reparations from the Germans
