World War I Winning the War Mr Meester

World War I: Winning the War Mr. Meester World History 11 -3

Vocabulary • • Russian Revolution Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Zimmerman Note Armistice

Poor Russia • Of all the major powers in both Alliances Russia was the least prepared for war • The Eastern Front had been a disaster – They had a huge army, but couldn’t produce enough weapons & supplies • Russian soldiers were forced to fight with rakes and broomsticks. – Over 2 million Russian soldiers would die & another 6 million were wounded or captured

Russian Revolution • The people are starving & demoralized – Worker strikes will become common – Vladimir Lenin will incite a Communist Revolution against the Czar • Czar Nicholas II would soon lose control of his country – Russia drops out of WWI

Germany’s Big Gamble • With Russia out of the war there is no more two front war • The Germans decided to stage a massive attack on the Western Front – Germany came within 50 miles of capturing Paris • Fresh allied troops defeated Germany at the 2 nd Battle of the Marne.

U. S. Entry in the War • The U. S. had tried to stay neutral and out of what was seen as a European war • 2 things changed America’s mind – Unrestricted Submarine Warfare – The Zimmerman Note

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare • Germany used unrestricted submarine warfare to blockade England – Germany attacked any ship they saw – One of the ships they sunk, the Lusitania, contained 128 Americans • Public support in favor of the war greatly increased after the attack

The Lusitania

U. S. Declares War • The Zimmerman Note – A secret communication between Germany & Mexico, intercepted by the British • Germany offered to help Mexico reclaim territory • In response the U. S. joined the Allied Powers – Declares war on the Central Powers • America brought 2 million fresh troops and even more importantly much needed money and supplies. – The war is over!!!

The War Ends • Germany, fearing the end was near, revolted in many ways • The War of Attrition was over the U. S. & Allies had more total resources • An Armistice is agreed to on 11/11/1918 – An agreement to end the fighting – German message to troops, “All Quiet on the Western Front”

Recap • Fall of Russia – Problems facing Russia – The Russian Revolution • German Offensive • US entry in the War – Unrestricted Submarine Warfare – Zimmerman Note – Effect on the War – The Armistice