Class Notes 2/6/07: World War One

In class today we mostly discussed the cause of World War One, and how the United States got caught in it. For the start of WWI

• Europe had many treaties (some secret) dividing them into two sides

1. Hungary, Austria, Italy, Germany
   
2. Britain, France, Russia

Respectively, the former was known as the Triple Alliance, and the latter the Triple Entente.

• Russia was forced to protect Serbia against the wrath of Austria-Hungary after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
• Germany protected Austria-Hungary from Russia, and launched an offensive on France.
  
• When Germany attacks France, Britain declares war on Germany, and the ball gets rolling.

President Wilson wants to avoid war, and proclaims neutrality.

1. Hopes it'll boost economy by allowing US to trade with all countries involved in the war.

2.But it seems like the US is biased because American bankers loan to Britain and France, but not Germany. This seeming bias is reinforced by the fact US merchants can't ship to German ports because of a British blockade.

3.In this way, the US is compromising it's neutrality, which Germany notices.

4. Germany invents the U-Boat, and announces they'll shoot anyone on sight heading for Britian, including merchant ships.

• May 1915, British passenger ship Lusitania is sunk, killing 2,000, 128 of whom were Americans.
  
• Wilson demands a German pledge for them not to strike back, and threatens to break diplomatic ties with them.
  
• The Sussex Pledge is made, in which Germany promises to stop attacking merchant ships without warning.
  

• Wilson's peace initiative in January 1916 fails because of refusal to favor Britain in a treaty.
  
• In 1916, Wilson runs on as the incumbent for President on the slogan that "He kept us out of war."
  

This was about to change however, by two things.

1. The Germans returned to blowing up ships with Americans on them
2. The Zimmerman Note was intercepted by the British, and it was written by the Germans, stating that in case the United States entered the war on the side of Britain, the Mexican government should consider taking offensive action against us.

Because of these two factors, in April 1917, war is declared.

• In 1918, Wilson goes public with the 14 Points, which show how Wilson wants the world to be following this war.
  
• Spring 1918, Germany launches an offensive into France.
  

• November 1918, an armistice is declared.

A Note About Russia
-During the middle of the first World War, Russia had a change in power, with Czar Nicholas being overthrown, and the government being restructured. Lenin became the leader of Russia, and declared the country to be neutral.