WW1: Flashcards
(9 cards)
Causes:
World War I, often called the Great War, was a complex event with multiple contributing factors, including long-term causes like militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism, as well as the immediate trigger of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The Shefillen Plan:
The Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy devised before World War I to address the challenge of fighting a two-front war against France and Russia. It aimed for a swift invasion of France through Belgium and the Netherlands, then focusing on Russia.
Rape of Belgium:
“The Rape of Belgium” refers to the atrocities committed by the German army against Belgian civilians and the destruction of property during the German invasion and occupation of Belgium in World War I.
Trenches and new Tech:
World War I’s trench warfare era saw the development and deployment of various new technologies, significantly impacting the conduct of the war. These included machine guns, poison gas, flamethrowers, tanks, and new communication methods. Trenches themselves evolved into complex defensive systems, incorporating pillboxes, tunnels, and advanced listening devices.
US Involvement in WW1:
The United States officially entered World War I on April 6, 1917, after nearly three years of neutrality. This decision followed a period of growing tensions with Germany, particularly due to German submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram. The U.S. commitment to the Allied cause ultimately led to the deployment of over a million American troops to Europe, significantly impacting the war’s outcome.
Why did the US enter?
Convoy Systems
Harlem Hellfighters
US entered war bc of…
- Lusitania
- Propaganda
- Zimmerman Telegram
The convoy system, where merchant ships travel together with naval escorts, was a crucial strategy in World War I, particularly against the German U-boat threat. While initially hesitant, the British Royal Navy implemented a systematic convoy system in 1917 after experiencing devastating losses of merchant shipping. This system involved grouping merchant ships for protection, significantly reducing losses and aiding the transport of troops and supplies.
The Harlem Hellfighters were the 369th Infantry Regiment, a highly decorated African American unit in World War I. They were nicknamed “Hellfighters” by their German adversaries for their fierce fighting. The unit was distinguished for its bravery and for spending more time in continuous combat than any other American unit.
Russian Revolution:
The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social upheaval in Russia, starting in 1917, that led to the end of the Romanov dynasty and the establishment of a socialist government. It involved two revolutions: the February Revolution, which overthrew the imperial government, and the October Revolution, which brought the Bolsheviks to power.
The Great Migration:
The Great Migration refers to the relocation of six million African Americans from the rural South to the urban North and West between 1910 and 1970, according to Wikipedia and Britannica. This movement was driven by a combination of “push” factors in the South, like poor economic conditions and racial discrimination, and “pull” factors in the North, including industrial job opportunities
Treaty of Versallies:
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, was the peace treaty that formally ended World War I between Germany and the Allied Powers. It imposed harsh conditions on Germany, including territorial losses, substantial financial reparations, military restrictions, and the acceptance of responsibility for the war
