A BLOODY CONFLICT CHAPTER 16 SECTION 3 Combat

A BLOODY CONFLICT CHAPTER 16 SECTION 3

Combat in World War I Trench Warfare New Technology � Warfare had changed. � Powerful artillery guns placed � April 1915: Germans first several miles behind from lines—hurled explosive shells onto battlefield. � More men killed by artillery fire than any other weapon in WWI. � Trenches: protection from the artillery—used machine gun to hold off attackers. � No-Man’s Land: space between opposing trenches. used poison gas near Ypres. � --fumes caused vomiting, blindness, and suffocation. � Allies began to use it as well —so both sides developed gas masks. � 1915: British introduced the armored tank into battle— were not that great

Poison Gas in WWI

New Technology �WWI marked first use of aircraft in war. �It was first and last time that zeppelins were used in combat. �Zeppelins: Giant rigid balloons—blimps. The Germans used them to drop bombs on British warships in the North Sea. �Airplanes with machine guns �Dogfights: average life expectancy of a combat pilot in WWI was about 2 weeks.

The Americans Arrive �Waves of American soldiers (doughboys) marched into the bloody stalemate. �Nearly 2 million before war’s end. �Fresh and eager, they demoralized the German soldiers. �With the Americans arriving, many Germans concluded that the war was lost.

Winning the War at Sea Russia Leaves the War �No American troopships � March 1917: riots broke out were sunk on way to Europe—sent them in CONVOYS. �Convoys greatly reduced shipping losses and ensured that a large number of American troops arrived safely in Europe. in Russia over the government’s handling of the war and the scarcity of food and fuel. � Czar Nicholas II—abdicated throne. Beginning of Russian Revolution. � Lenin took over and pulled Russia out of the war.

Americans Enter Combat Germany’s Last Offensive � When Americans arrived in France-the French and British wanted to integrate them into their troops. � General John J. Pershing commander of AEF—refused to do so and Wilson supported him. � One exception: 93 rd Infantry Division-African American unit—transferred to the French and became 1 st Americans to enter combat � On March 21 st, 1918 - the Germans launched a massive attack along the western front — � They pushed deep into the Allied lines and by early June they were less than 40 miles from Paris. � American first major attack— captured the village of Cantigny and then blocked the German drive at town of Chateau-Thierry.

Battle of the Argonne Forest �An American offensive was launched in the region between the Meuse River and the Argonne Forest. � 600, 000 troops, 40, 000 tons of supplies, and 4, 000 artillery pieces for one of the most massive attacks in American history. �Attack began on September 26, 1918—by early November the Americans had shattered German defenses and opened a hole on the Eastern flank of German lines. ---soon Germans were retreating.

The War Ends �Revolution in Austria- �On November 9, 1918, Hungary. �Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia declared independence. — governments of AH and OE surrendered to the Allies. �Revolution begins in Germany and the emperor steps down. Germany became a republic. �Two days later, signed an armistice.

A FLAWED PEACE �Treaty of Versailles: �First 5 points: free trade, � 1. Big 4 Participants: freedom of the seas, disarmament, etc. �Next 8 points: Self. Determination. � 14 th Point: League of Nations: General association of nations. U. S. , Britain, France, and Italy � 2. Russia was not invited —Wilson refused to recognize Lenin’s government. � 3. Fourteen Points: Wilson’s peace plan.

Treaty of Versailles �Wilson was very popular �Peace terms were harsh. with many Europeans. �Not so much with French and G. B. leaders. �They wanted Germany to be punished. �G. B. refused to give up its sizable naval advantage. �Most designed to punish and weaken Germany. �Reduced their armed forces and not allowed to put troops west of the Rhine River. �Specific blame for war. �Reparations: $33 billion.

Treaty of Versailles � Self-Determination: � -Four Empires were dismantled as a result of WWI -Austro-Hungarian, Russian, German, and Ottoman Empires. � 9 new nations in Europe: Austria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Yugoslavia. � The majority of people in these new countries were from one ethnic group. � However, national self- determination was not applied to Germany. � Both Poland Czechoslovakia were given territory where the majority of people were German. � Germany was even split in 2 to give Poland access to Baltic Sea. � By leaving a large number of Germans living outside of Germany, the Treaty helped set stage for the issues to come…

PROBLEMS WITH TREATY U. S. Senate Rejects the Treaty �Did not address the freedom of seas or free trade. �It also ignored Wilson’s goal of fair settlement of colonial claims. �However, it did contain Wilson’s major goal: League of Nations � Wilson refused to take any Republican leaders to the peace conference. � Groups formed: � 1. “irreconcilables”—refused to support the treaty under any circumstances. � 2. “reservationists”—were willing to support the treaty if certain amendments made to the “League”—wanted it to say that Congress had to approve war” � Wilson refused to compromise— US did not sign the treaty.