Causes
Military Alliances
European countries had over time formed alliances in case of war, meaning a country that was attacked was sworn to be protected by its allies. Prior to World War I, allies included Russia/Serbia, Germany/Austria-Hungary, France/Russia, Britain/France/Belgium, and Japan/Britain. Therefore, a chain of countries jumped in to help their allies after the first declaration of war. Austria-Hungary declared war of Serbia, and the snowball effect began. Next, Russia mobilized to defend Serbia, and Germany declared war on Russia. Then, France came to back Russia and fight Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France by way of Belgium and ended up dragging Britain into the war. Japan entered to side with Britain, and later Italy and the US joined the allies.
Imperialism
Many countries had developed an interest in imperialism, a process in which a larger, more powerful county takes over a smaller, weaker one in order to utilize its resources. Prior to World War I, there was a lot of competition and dispute in Europe over African and Asian areas, especially because of the raw materials and resources they could provide. This competition and building up of resources led to increased tensions between European countries.
Militarism
Into the 20th Century, an arms race began across the world. Germany had the biggest military buildup in 1914, and Britain and Germany worked to increase the strength of their navies. The military began to have more influence in public policy, especially in Germany and Russia. Countries that became involved in disputes were more likely to resort to military force now that they had it in excess.
Nationalism
Countries in Europe began to have increasing pride and belief in their respective militaries and this led to war because each felt required to prove their strength and power. In a more direct way, however, the Slavic people in Herzegovina and Bosnia desired to be a part of Serbia rather then Austria-Hungary.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
A Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke and his wife in June 1914 while they were in Sarajevo, Bosnia, a part of Austria-Hungary. Serbia wanted to take control of Bosnia and Herzegovina and this assassination was a protest in outrage to Ferdinand's control of the area. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response and the ally snowball was set in motion.
European countries had over time formed alliances in case of war, meaning a country that was attacked was sworn to be protected by its allies. Prior to World War I, allies included Russia/Serbia, Germany/Austria-Hungary, France/Russia, Britain/France/Belgium, and Japan/Britain. Therefore, a chain of countries jumped in to help their allies after the first declaration of war. Austria-Hungary declared war of Serbia, and the snowball effect began. Next, Russia mobilized to defend Serbia, and Germany declared war on Russia. Then, France came to back Russia and fight Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France by way of Belgium and ended up dragging Britain into the war. Japan entered to side with Britain, and later Italy and the US joined the allies.
Imperialism
Many countries had developed an interest in imperialism, a process in which a larger, more powerful county takes over a smaller, weaker one in order to utilize its resources. Prior to World War I, there was a lot of competition and dispute in Europe over African and Asian areas, especially because of the raw materials and resources they could provide. This competition and building up of resources led to increased tensions between European countries.
Militarism
Into the 20th Century, an arms race began across the world. Germany had the biggest military buildup in 1914, and Britain and Germany worked to increase the strength of their navies. The military began to have more influence in public policy, especially in Germany and Russia. Countries that became involved in disputes were more likely to resort to military force now that they had it in excess.
Nationalism
Countries in Europe began to have increasing pride and belief in their respective militaries and this led to war because each felt required to prove their strength and power. In a more direct way, however, the Slavic people in Herzegovina and Bosnia desired to be a part of Serbia rather then Austria-Hungary.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
A Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke and his wife in June 1914 while they were in Sarajevo, Bosnia, a part of Austria-Hungary. Serbia wanted to take control of Bosnia and Herzegovina and this assassination was a protest in outrage to Ferdinand's control of the area. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response and the ally snowball was set in motion.
Taking Sides
Allies
Britain and the British Empire France Russia Romania Greece Belgium Serbia Montenegro Portugal Italy USA |
Central Powers
Germany Austria-Hungary Turkey Bulgaria |
American Involvement Prior to 1917
Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that at one point was the largest ship in the world. She was used to carry both passengers and government cargo. The ship left for Liverpool on May 1st, 1915 from New York and soon after Germany declared the area around the UK a war zone. Germans in America had been cautioned not to board the boat. On May 7th, 11 miles off the coast of Ireland, a German U-boat torpedoed the ship and after a second explosion inside, she sunk in less than 18 minutes. The sinking claimed the lives of 1198 victims. Although international law required that passengers on non-military ships be allowed to leave safely before attack, the Germans claimed the Lusitania as a legitimate military target because they believed she was carrying war munitions. There had been 139 American passengers on board and 128 of them lost their lives in the sinking. This enraged the US. President Woodrow Wilson tried to reason with Germany, and they agreed not to attack passenger ships but two years later Germany declared full unrestricted submarine warfare, and the US had no choice but to declare war on Germany.
Black Tom Incident
On July 30th, 1916, German forces directly sabotaged American ammunition supplies on Black Tom Island in the New York Harbor. On the night of the attack, it is reported that two million pounds of ammunition were being stored there along with one hundred thousand pounds of TNT. A series of small fires were discovered on the pier after midnight, and some guards fled the impeding explosion while other tried to fight the fires. The first and largest explosion occurred at 2:08 am and registered between 5.0 and 5.5 on the Richter scale. Property damage included the Statue of Liberty and Times Square, and from then on the Statue of Liberty's torch was closed to tourist traffic. The damage totaled around $20 million ($442 million in today's money), and drastically raised tensions between Germany and the US.
Kingsland Explosion
In popular media, US citizens blamed Germans for this second explosion at a munitions factory in Lyndhurst, NJ in 1917. A fire started in Building 30 of the factory on January 11th and ended in an explosion even more spectacular than that at Black Tom Island. The plant was completely destroyed, and the US suspected sabotage, straining the relationship between the US and Germany even farther. Although German involvement was never proven, Germany paid the US $50 million in reparations in the 1950s.
Zimmerman Note
The Zimmerman Note was a proposal by the German Empire to Mexico in 1917 that stated Germany intended to war with the US and wanted to ally with Mexico against the US. Germany promised Mexico financial help and offered to help gain back Mexican land from America if they promised to side with Germany. The telegram was intercepted by the British and decoded. At that time the US was both anti-Mexican and anti-German, and this prospective alliance infuriated the US. The telegram further increased the anti-Mexican and anti-German sentiments in the US.
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that at one point was the largest ship in the world. She was used to carry both passengers and government cargo. The ship left for Liverpool on May 1st, 1915 from New York and soon after Germany declared the area around the UK a war zone. Germans in America had been cautioned not to board the boat. On May 7th, 11 miles off the coast of Ireland, a German U-boat torpedoed the ship and after a second explosion inside, she sunk in less than 18 minutes. The sinking claimed the lives of 1198 victims. Although international law required that passengers on non-military ships be allowed to leave safely before attack, the Germans claimed the Lusitania as a legitimate military target because they believed she was carrying war munitions. There had been 139 American passengers on board and 128 of them lost their lives in the sinking. This enraged the US. President Woodrow Wilson tried to reason with Germany, and they agreed not to attack passenger ships but two years later Germany declared full unrestricted submarine warfare, and the US had no choice but to declare war on Germany.
Black Tom Incident
On July 30th, 1916, German forces directly sabotaged American ammunition supplies on Black Tom Island in the New York Harbor. On the night of the attack, it is reported that two million pounds of ammunition were being stored there along with one hundred thousand pounds of TNT. A series of small fires were discovered on the pier after midnight, and some guards fled the impeding explosion while other tried to fight the fires. The first and largest explosion occurred at 2:08 am and registered between 5.0 and 5.5 on the Richter scale. Property damage included the Statue of Liberty and Times Square, and from then on the Statue of Liberty's torch was closed to tourist traffic. The damage totaled around $20 million ($442 million in today's money), and drastically raised tensions between Germany and the US.
Kingsland Explosion
In popular media, US citizens blamed Germans for this second explosion at a munitions factory in Lyndhurst, NJ in 1917. A fire started in Building 30 of the factory on January 11th and ended in an explosion even more spectacular than that at Black Tom Island. The plant was completely destroyed, and the US suspected sabotage, straining the relationship between the US and Germany even farther. Although German involvement was never proven, Germany paid the US $50 million in reparations in the 1950s.
Zimmerman Note
The Zimmerman Note was a proposal by the German Empire to Mexico in 1917 that stated Germany intended to war with the US and wanted to ally with Mexico against the US. Germany promised Mexico financial help and offered to help gain back Mexican land from America if they promised to side with Germany. The telegram was intercepted by the British and decoded. At that time the US was both anti-Mexican and anti-German, and this prospective alliance infuriated the US. The telegram further increased the anti-Mexican and anti-German sentiments in the US.
Battles
Chateau-Thierry
This battle was fought July 18th, 1918, near Paris. It resulted in a victory for the Allies.
Allies: John J. Pershing, Charles Mangin
9,777 casualties
Central Powers: Erich Ludendorf
1,600 captures (losses unknown)
In reality, Chateau-Thierry was really the battle for Belleau Wood. In this battle, the Americans managed to take the Germans completely by surprise. It was the first battle where Americans experience heavy losses, but persevered nonetheless. This battle also proved USMC dedication. It also proved to both sides that the Americans were worthy adversaries.
Belleau Wood
This battle was fought in Belleau Wood near Paris from June 1-26, 1918. It was a victory for the Allies.
Allies: John J. Pershing, James Harbord
9,777 casualties
Central Powers: Crown Prince Wilhelm
1,600 captures (losses unknown)
The German push towards Amiens was so successful that they had to halt because the men at the front could not get any supplies. When the reached the wood, French officers advised the Marines to fall back because they had no choice but to fight in open fields or dense woods. But the Marines refused to back down. When the battle came to hand-to-hand combat, it was here that the Marines earned their nickname "Teufel Hunden" or "devil dogs". This battle was the Marine Corps's bloodiest to date. The French renamed the wood "Bois de la Brigade de Marine", meaning "Wood of the Marine Brigade" in honor of the Marines that fought there.
Meus-Argonne Offensive
This battle was fought September 26-November 11, 1918, and ended the war in favor of the Allies.
Allies: John J. Pershing
122,063 casualties
Central Powers: Georg Von de Marwitz
120,250 casualties
High losses are blamed on inexperienced soldiers and inefficient tactics near the beginning. However, the terrain was excellent for fighting because on one side was the Meus River and the other was dense forest. By the time the battle came around, 5 of the 9 American divisions had not seen combat. It was this battle in which the 77th Division's famous "Lost Battalion" took a stand. The Germans had contacted Foch about an armistice, but he decided the battle should not be over until the Germans unconditionally surrendered.
This battle was fought July 18th, 1918, near Paris. It resulted in a victory for the Allies.
Allies: John J. Pershing, Charles Mangin
9,777 casualties
Central Powers: Erich Ludendorf
1,600 captures (losses unknown)
In reality, Chateau-Thierry was really the battle for Belleau Wood. In this battle, the Americans managed to take the Germans completely by surprise. It was the first battle where Americans experience heavy losses, but persevered nonetheless. This battle also proved USMC dedication. It also proved to both sides that the Americans were worthy adversaries.
Belleau Wood
This battle was fought in Belleau Wood near Paris from June 1-26, 1918. It was a victory for the Allies.
Allies: John J. Pershing, James Harbord
9,777 casualties
Central Powers: Crown Prince Wilhelm
1,600 captures (losses unknown)
The German push towards Amiens was so successful that they had to halt because the men at the front could not get any supplies. When the reached the wood, French officers advised the Marines to fall back because they had no choice but to fight in open fields or dense woods. But the Marines refused to back down. When the battle came to hand-to-hand combat, it was here that the Marines earned their nickname "Teufel Hunden" or "devil dogs". This battle was the Marine Corps's bloodiest to date. The French renamed the wood "Bois de la Brigade de Marine", meaning "Wood of the Marine Brigade" in honor of the Marines that fought there.
Meus-Argonne Offensive
This battle was fought September 26-November 11, 1918, and ended the war in favor of the Allies.
Allies: John J. Pershing
122,063 casualties
Central Powers: Georg Von de Marwitz
120,250 casualties
High losses are blamed on inexperienced soldiers and inefficient tactics near the beginning. However, the terrain was excellent for fighting because on one side was the Meus River and the other was dense forest. By the time the battle came around, 5 of the 9 American divisions had not seen combat. It was this battle in which the 77th Division's famous "Lost Battalion" took a stand. The Germans had contacted Foch about an armistice, but he decided the battle should not be over until the Germans unconditionally surrendered.
Treaty of Versailles
Signed on June 28th, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty that ended World War I, terminating the state of war between Germany and the Allies. Germany was very harshly punished. In addition to taking forced blame for the war, they had to make large concessions and pay $442 million (current) in reparations. They also were given strict military limits.
The first part of the treaty was the formation of the League of Nations, which was intended to end dispute between countries to help avoid another world war. It was based in Geneva, Switzerland, because Switzerland had been a neutral country in the war. The League had three sanctions:
1. Verbal sanctions would warn the fighting nations to end disputes or face the consequences
2. Economic sanctions would push a country toward bankruptcy so fighting would have to stop
3. Physical sanctions would use military force to enforce the League's decision
But it's greatest weakness was that the US was not a part of it, and Russia and Germany were not allowed to join, leaving the world's three most powerful nations out of the League. This also meant that military sanctions had no hope of success. Although the League of Nations was a good idea in theory, it was inefficient and not useful in practice. It was later replaced by the UN.
The first part of the treaty was the formation of the League of Nations, which was intended to end dispute between countries to help avoid another world war. It was based in Geneva, Switzerland, because Switzerland had been a neutral country in the war. The League had three sanctions:
1. Verbal sanctions would warn the fighting nations to end disputes or face the consequences
2. Economic sanctions would push a country toward bankruptcy so fighting would have to stop
3. Physical sanctions would use military force to enforce the League's decision
But it's greatest weakness was that the US was not a part of it, and Russia and Germany were not allowed to join, leaving the world's three most powerful nations out of the League. This also meant that military sanctions had no hope of success. Although the League of Nations was a good idea in theory, it was inefficient and not useful in practice. It was later replaced by the UN.