Impacts of the entry of the
USA and the Russian
withdrawal in
WWI
Reasons
Initial Impacts
Consequences
Reasons for the USA’s entry
-The issue that brought the U.S into the war was Germany’s policy of
unrestricted submarine warfare.
-On May 7, 1915, the British Cunard liner, the Lusitania, was attacked
and sunk by a German submarine. 1198 civilians were killed
including 124 Americans. Many more attacks on American vessels
caused the Americans to declare war.
-The German Foreign minister, Zimmermann, sent a secret note to the
German minister in Mexico suggesting joint German-Mexican action
against the United States. This became known as the ‘Zimmermann
Telegram’.
-On 6 April the U.S declared war on Germany. War was not declared on
Austria-Hungary until 7 December 1917.
Initial impacts
The U.S involvement had an immediate impact on
morale. Allied morale jumped, and the German morale
did the opposite.
At the beginning of 1917, the U.S had only a small army
of about 160 000, 25 000 of whom were stationed
overseas. By October 1918 it had an effective army of 4
million. More than 2 million had been transported to
France and about 1.3 million were actually on the front.
Consequences
Operation Michael, the first stage of Ludendorffs’
spring offensive, occurred as a result of the U.S
entry and the Russian withdrawal. This operation
made use of storm troopers, who used
‘stealthier’ tactics to infiltrate and destroy the
enemy artillery.
Germany’s ultimate and inevitable defeat came
as a result of the U.S entry. For Germany, it
seemed that the end of the war was very near
and it did not seem the end would be to their
favour.
British propaganda
British propaganda such
as this
poster that
was created after the
German sinking of the
British liner
Lusitania was used to convince the
Americans to declare war on Germany.
The Zimmermann Telegram
Extract from the ‘Zimmermann Telegram“If this attempt (to keep the U.S neutral) is
unsuccessful we propose an alliance on the
following basis with Mexico. That we shall make
war together and make peace together. We shall
give general financial support, and it is
understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost
territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. The
details are left for your settlement.”
The Russian Withdrawal
Two Revolutions in 1917 led to Russia’s
formal withdrawal from the war in 1918.
Lack of supplies, food, ammunition, and
even boots led to indiscipline, attacks on
officers and mutiny.
The treaty of Brest Litovsk in March 1918
was a peace treaty between Germany and
Russia. This had them withdraw from the
war.
Extract from a speech by British prime Minister Lloyd
George, London news paper, ‘The Times’, 29 March
1918
“We are at the crisis of the war. Attacked by an
immense superiority of German troops, our Army
has been forced to retire. The retirement has
been carried out methodically before the
pressure of a steady succession of fresh
German reserves... but this battle, the greatest
and most momentous in the history of the world,
is only just beginning. Throughout it, French and
British morale is boosted with the knowledge
that the USA will neglect no effort which can
hasten its troops and ships to Europe. In war,
time is vital.”
Extract from President Wilsons’ speech to
congress, 2 April 1917
“The present German submarine warfare
against commerce, is a warfare against
mankind. It is a war against all nations.
American ships have been sunk, American lives
taken…the challenge is to all mankind…our
motive will not be revenge or the victorious
assertion of the physical might of the nation, but
only the vindication of right, of which we are only
a single champion…the world must be made
safe for democracy.”
Extract from ‘The Great War’ by
Les Carlyon.
“The Germans had been outnumbered on
the western front by about 175 divisions to
150. By March 20, 1918…the Germans,
having brought troops back from the east
and from Italy, would outnumber the allies
by about 190 divisions to 170. And the
allied figure was misleading. It included
American divisions that were unready to
be thrown into the line”
Ludendorffs’ Spring Offensive
As a consequence of the U.S entry,
Ludendorffs spring offensive failed.
Impacts of the Russian
Withdrawal
Ludendorff:
‘…We still have a chance of victory. Russia is at
last out of the war, and the whole forces of
Germany can be turned against France. Nearly
forty divisions and 400 000 men can reinforce
the western front. With these we have at last a
superiority of force which will last for about four
months.’
‘Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries’, Longman,
Green & Co.
Allied morale heightened
When the U.S entered the war, the morale
of the allied forces was a record high.
Here, French soldiers are depicted
marching.
The wars’ end
Americas entry resulted in Germany’s
ultimate defeat and the end of the war.
Here, people rejoice at the wars’ end.
Abdication Proclamation of
Wilhelm II
From World War I Document Archive
“28 November, 1918
I herewith renounce for all time claims to the throne of Prussia and to the
German Imperial throne connected therewith. At the same time I release all
officials of the German Empire and of Prussia, as well as all officers,
noncommissioned officers and men of the navy and of the Prussian army,
as well as the troops of the federated states of Germany, from the oath of
fidelity which they tendered to me as their Emperor, King and Commanderin-Chief. I expect of them that until the re-establishment of order in the
German Empire they shall render assistance to those in actual power in
Germany, in protecting the German people from the threatening dangers of
anarchy, famine, and foreign rule.
Proclaimed under our own hand and with the imperial seal attached.
Amerongen, 28 November, 1918
(Signed )
WILLIAM”
The Armistice
Colonel Thomas Gowenlock served as an intelligence officer in the American
1st Division. He was on the front line that November morning and wrote of his
experience a few years later:
"On the morning of November 11 I sat in my dugout in Le Gros Faux,
which was again our division headquarters, talking to our Chief of
Staff, Colonel John Greely, and Lieutenant Colonel Paul Peabody,
our G-1. A signal corps officer entered and handed us the following
message:
‘Official Radio from Paris - 6:01 A.M., Nov. 11, 1918. Marshal Foch to
the Commander-in-Chief.1. Hostilities will be stopped on the entire
front beginning at 11 o'clock, November 11th (French hour).
2. The Allied troops will not go beyond the line reached at that hour
on that date until further orders.[signed]
MARSHAL FOCH
5:45 A.M.’ ”