World War I Lecture Notes

Four Major Questions

1. Why did war break out in Europe in August 1914?
2. What was the United States' response to the European war?
3. Why did the United States enter the war on the side of the Allies (Great Britain and France)?
4. What did Woodrow Wilson hope to achieve by entering the war and presiding over the subsequent peace treaty negotiations?

Origins of the War

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

  • Gavrilo Princip, a 19-year-old Serbian Slav nationalist, assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
  • Intended to destabilize the empire and form a larger independent Yugoslav nation.
  • Resulted in Austria-Hungary issuing an ultimatum to Serbia.

• Escalation to War

  • Serbia's refusal to comply fully with Austria's demands led to Austria mobilizing its army.
  • Russia mobilized to protect Serbia, leading Germany to mobilize in support of Austria.
  • France mobilized due to its alliance with Russia.
  • Germany invaded Belgium, violating its neutrality, triggering Britain to declare war.

• Underlying Tensions

  • Colonial rivalries: Germany felt left behind in the race for colonies.
  • Naval expansion: Germany's military ambitions threatened Britain's naval dominance.
  • Historical animosities: France and Germany had unresolved tensions from the 1871 conflict.

The Nature of the War

• Prolonged Conflict

  • The war was marked by prolonged trench warfare and unprecedented battlefield carnage.
  • Technological advancements in weaponry outpaced tactical developments, leading to high casualties.

• War of Attrition

  • The conflict devolved into a war of attrition, with each side attempting to wear down the other.

The U.S. Response

• Initial Neutrality

  • President Woodrow Wilson called for strict neutrality, reflecting limited foreign policy interest.
  • Aimed to convert global dynamics to a more democratic model.

• Challenging Neutrality

  • British naval blockade of Germany affected U.S. trade, inadvertently siding with the Allies.
  • German submarine warfare challenged U.S. neutrality, leading to tensions over maritime laws.

• Shift Towards Involvement

  • Incidents like the sinking of Lusitania and Sussex prompted U.S. policy shifts towards military preparedness.
  • The Sussex Pledge briefly halted tensions but was later abandoned by Germany.

The U.S. Enters the War

• Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

  • Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in January 1917.

• Zimmermann Telegram

  • Germany's proposal to Mexico to join against the U.S. was intercepted.
  • Along with resumed submarine warfare, it prompted U.S. entry into the war in April 1917.

• Mobilization and Propaganda

  • The U.S. mobilized forces and launched propaganda to foster pro-war sentiment.
  • Anti-German sentiment led to civil liberties issues for German-Americans.

End of the War and the 14-Point Peace

• U.S. Contribution

  • The U.S. entry tipped the balance in favor of the Allies, leading to a quicker end to the war.

• Wilson's 14 Points

  • Promoted solutions to root causes of the war, including open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, reduction of arms, and self-determination.

• Challenges with the Treaty

  • Defeated powers were not represented; some points seen as impractical.
  • League of Nations faced opposition due to perceived loss of U.S. sovereignty.
  • Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh terms on Germany, sowing seeds for future conflict.