On this day we continued with presentations on WWI. We picked up with causes for our involvement in WWI. Here are the notes I took for the day:6. What were the US reactions to WWI starting in 1914? Wilson said, "We will be neutral. No sides." Immigrants in the United States had different ideas about this decision.7. What were the causes for US involvement in WWI? Zimmerman note. Letter sent by a German ambassador to Mexico, but was intercepted by British code breakers. They wanted Mexico to break out and fight a war against us. Mexico could have accepted, especially since Germany promised that they could get their land back that we had taken (Texas, southwest). Germans didn't want the Americans in Europe. Germans started killing Americans (biggest thing) by sinking ships, killing our soldiers. Lusitania was the most known. They declared that they wouldn't sink any more ships (Sesex). Submarines left ships as sitting ducks. Zimmerman thought Great Britain would drop out and they wouldn't have to worry about America. Unrestricted submarine warfare was another large reason.8. What were the major land battles for the US in WWI?Battle of Saint Mihiel: Amerca and France vs. Germany. September 1918. General John J. Pershing commanded the Americans. Air battle. America had better weapons. French had tanks. German casualties were 18,000. America only had 7,000 casualties. Allies won.Battle of Marne (2): July and August 1918. American and Britan and France vs. Germany. Casualties: French 95,000, British 30,000, America 12,000. Germany had 168,000. Allies won.Battle of Meuse: September to November 1918. Bloodiest battle. Casualties for America: over 120,000 casualties. Germany had 120,000 casualties as well. Pershing was in charge once again for America. Allies vs. Germany.9. What were the major military strategies for winning the war for both Allied and Central Powers?Allied Powers: Russia, France, and Britain, Japan, Serbia, Greece, and Romania.Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire.Alfred von Schlieffen: Germany Army Chief of Staff, then an officer during the Austro-Prussian War. Came up with the Schlieffen Plan. Used 90% of Germany's armed forces. French forts bordered Germany. Quick route through Belgium and Luxemberg. Went into action on August 2nd. Held up by the Blegium army. Surprised by British Expeditionary Force.Paul von Hindenberg: Attended cadets schools when he was younger. Fought in the Battle of Koniggratz. General in 1893. Became chief of Staff in 1916. Became president of Germany in 1925 after retiring from armed forces in 1918. Winter of 1916 and 1917 saw the Hindenburg Line, with trenches, barbed wire, tunnels, bunkers, command posts, and machine gun.
Comments