A Global Conflict
Chapter 29 Section 2-3
Who was Involved?
• Central Powers:
Germany and AustriaHungary
• Allies: France, Serbia,
Great Britain, and US
(later).
War in the West
• Stalemate along the Western Front – border
between France and Germany
– Stuck in trench warfare
• Schlieffen Plan – Germany’s plan to attack and
defeat Russia first, then attack France.
– Goal was to avoid fighting a war on two fronts.
Africa and Asia
• Allied forces attack German colonies in Africa
and Asia.
• British and French recruit troops and workers
from their colonies in Africa and Asia.
– Volunteers hoped to service would lead to
independence of their country.
1917 - Germany and the US
• Unrestricted warfare – German submarines
would sink any ship without warning in British
waters.
• Goal: to stop war related supplies from reach
Britain.
• Results in the sinking of several American
ships
– Sinking of the Lusitania – 128 Americans killed.
Zimmerman Note
• Germany offers to help Mexico “reconquer”
land it lost to the US if Mexico becomes allies
with Germany.
– Intercepted by the US
– Pushed the US to declare war on Germany
• US had more economic ties with Great Britain
– Also share common ancestor, institutions, and
language
Government’s Role in the War
• Became a total war – countries devoted all
their resources to the war effort.
• Government take control of the economy
– make sure war-related goods were made.
• Use ration system – people allowed to buy
small amounts of goods in short supply.
• Promotion of Propaganda – one-sided
information designed to persuade and
maintain support for the war.
Role of Women
• Replaced men in factories, offices, and shops.
– Built tanks and munitions, plowed fields, and
served as nurses.
– Helped to keep soldiers supplies with food,
clothing, and weapons
• Showed women were capable of filling men’s
jobs.
Russia Withdraws from the War
• 1917- Civil unrest in Russia forces czar to
step down from throne
– Communists soon take control of Russia’s
government
• Russia signs treaty with Germany in
March 1918, pulls out of war
– Germany able to move most forces to
Western Front
End of WWI
• Second Battle of the Marne – defeat
Germany
– American troops help stop the German
advance and lead counterattack
• Rebellion in Austria-Hungary and
Germany
– armistice— end of fighting—signed in
November 1918
Legacy of the War
• 8.5 million soldiers dead, 21 million
wounded
– devastates European economies, drains
national treasuries
• Destruction of land and cities.
• Survivors suffer disillusionment and
despair
Wilson’s plan for Peace
• Wilson proposes Fourteen Points—outline for
lasting world peace
• Calls for free trade, end to secret alliances,
military buildups
• Promotes self-determination—right of people
to govern own nation
• Envisions international peace-keeping body to
settle world disputes
Treaty of Versailles
• Creates League of Nations—international
organization to keep peace
• Germans blamed for war
– forces Germany to pay damages to nations
– Germany loses all of its colonies.
• New nations created from land lost by AustriaHungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire.
Results of the Treaty of Versailles
• Germans angry after taking blame for war
• Many Americans oppose League of Nations
– Want peace by staying out of European affairs.
• Some former colonies express anger over not
winning independence
– Fought in the war to prove they should be
independent
Review
• What caused the US to get involved in WWI?
• What were three effects of the war?
• What were three effects of the Treaty of
Versailles?