A Global Conflict

Introduction

World War I was much more than a European conflict Australia and Japan, for example, entered the war on the Allies’ side, while India supplied troops to fight alongside their British rulers. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Turks and later Bulgaria allied themselves with Germany and the Central Powers. As the war promised to be a grim, drawn-out affair, all the Great Powers looked for other allies around the globe to tip the balance. They also sought new war fronts on which to achieve victory.

War Affects the World

The Gallipoli Campaign Allies move to capture

Ottoman Dardanelles strait in February 1915.

Hope to defeat the Ottoman Empire, a Central Powers ally.

Also want to open a supply line through region to Russia.

Effort ends in costly Allied defeat.

War Affects the World

Battles in Africa and Asia Allies take control of German holdings in Asia and

Africa. Britain and France use their colonial subjects to

help in war effort

War Affects the World

America Joins the Fight Germany seeks to control Atlantic Ocean to stop

supplies to Britain. Germany uses unrestricted submarine warfare,

and ship near Britain are sunk without warning. Germany halts this policy in 1915 after the sinking

of the Lusitania angers the United States

RMS Lusitania arriving in New York on her maiden voyage arriving in New York in September 1907. Upon its sinking by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, 1,198 people died when the ship went down.

War Affects the World

Germany renews unrestricted policy in 1917 in hopes to starve Britain quickly.

Renewal of policy angers the United States. Zimmerman Telegram—effort to enlist Mexico in

war against the United States—angers the United States.

The United States declares war against Germany in April 1917 joining the Allies.

War Affects the Home Front

Governments Wage Total War World War I becomes a “total war”—nations

devote all resources to war. Governments take control of the economy to

produce war goods. Nations turn to rationing—limiting purchases of

war-related goods. Propaganda—one sided information to build

morale and support for the war.

War Affects the Home Front

Woman and the War At home, thousands of women fill jobs previously

held by men. Many women also experience the war by working

as nurses.

The Allies Win the War

Russia Withdraws Civil unrest in Russia forces Czar to step down

from throne in 1917. Communists soon take control of Russia’s

government. Russia signs a treaty with Germany in March

1918, pulls out of war.

The Allies Win the War

The Central Powers Collapse With Russia gone, Germany moves most forces

to Western Front Engage in major fighting; Allies force Germans to

retreat. Allies win war; armistice—end of fighting—signed

November 1918.

John J. “Black Jack” Pershing Pershing is nicknamed

“Black Jack” because he commanded Buffalo Soldiers near the end of the wars with Native Americans, specifically fighting the Lakota (Sioux).

Only person to hold the highest rank in the United States Army in his own lifetime “General of the Armies”. George Washington holds this rank posthumously.

Pershing’s Military Policies During World War I

Pershing insisted that the American Expeditionary Force fight as units under American command rather than being split up by battalions to augment British and French regiments and brigades.

Pershing’s Legacy Pershing is often given credit

for Allied victories. However, junior officers of the time like Douglas MacArthur (later commander of the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II) saw him as a “desk general” commanding far back from the lines.

He controversially ordered his troops to continue fighting after the armistice was signed. This resulted in 3,500 U.S. casualties on the last day of the war, an act which was regarded as murder by several officers under his command.

“Pershing Boot” used to prevent Trench Foot

Pershing oversaw the development of a new combat boot to prevent “trench foot.”

The Legacy of the War

A High Price War takes heavy toll; 8.5 million soldiers dead, 21

million wounded War devastates European economies, drains

national treasuries. Many acres of land and homes, villages, towns

destroyed. Survivors suffer disillusionment and despair;

reflected in the arts.