4th pd class notes 2-6-07

WW1
Descent into the war began on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo, Bosnia when a Bosnian national assassinated archduke Franz Ferdinand, Heir to the Austria-Hungrian thron...Austria-Hungary responded by declaring war on Serbia.

A series of treatie(some secret) divided europe in two:

1. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy---the triple Alliance-were promised to come to each others aid if attacked
2. Triple Entente of Britain, France and Russia

• Russia in another treaty, was bound to defend Serbia against Austria-Hunary

Germany struck @ France and Britain declared war on Germany

• Victory was not swift
• Wilson called it a European war and they wanted to avoid it (proclaimed U.S. neutrality and set to continue trading w/both sides)
• neutrality proved difficult (Britain and France turned to the u.s. for food, clothing, weapins, etc. and the u.s bank began issueing loans to britian and france.)

Germany develops the U-Boat(Submarine)

• on may 7, 1915 the british passenger liner Lusitania was sunk killing 1,198 men, women, and children. (126 Americans died)
• Germany did not act apologetic because there were weapons on the ship.
• Wilson denounces the sinking and tells Germany to make a promise not to kill innocen civilians.
• In 1916 Britain began arming merchant ships with depth charges
• Germany renews the submarine attacks
• Germany sunk the Sussex(French ship), there was a heavy loss of life including Americans

Wilson threatens to break diplomatic realtions with Germany

• Germany comes up with the Sussex Pledge(Promise to stop sinking w/o a warning), but the wanted Britain to allow neutral ships through their bockades so they could get supplies.
• U.S. ignores the request

Wilson made a peace initiative in Jan. 1916 in the House-Grey memorandum, Britain agreed to ask the U.S. to negtiate a settlement of the war

• Britain dropped out of agreement b/c U.S. wasnt going to favor either side.

In 1917 Germany announced the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare on Jan. 31 1917.

Zimmerman Telegram- was a telegram that was intercepted by the British and was from Gerany asking German minister in Mexico to attack the U.S.

• Wilson asks Congress for Declaration of War to make the "world safe for democracy"
• Congress declares war on April 6, 1917

In Russia

• Tzar Nicholas was overthrwn and an interim Liberal-Democratic government established
• November the Bolshevik Revolution brought Lenin to power
• Lenin pulled Russia out of war

In Jan. 1918 Wilson revealed his 14 points- a plan for post-war peace