⭐ World War I displayed the reality of modern warfare, challenging its romanticized perceptions in society and the media. From unique recruitment strategies like “Pals Battalions” that highlighted close bonds amongst soldiers, to the evolution of warfare technology seen by trenches and new technologies, World War I greatly shifted military tactics. The global conflict spanning many diverse nations, combined with Woodrow Wilson’s push for self-determination, added another layer of complexity in this time period. The war ended in the Treaty of Versailles, which caused economic hardships and the rise of extremist ideologies, leading to a long-term global impact.

Key Timeline

Timeline of Events Through World War I

Image Courtesy of Riya

Things to Know

Changes in Warfare

World War I began in June 1914
Thousands of boys enrolled in the military as they wanted to seem heroic
Horrific Effects of New Advances
- Trench warfare was marked by cold, muddy, rat-infested conditions, influencing the spread of diseases and unhygienic surroundings.
- Poison gas including chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas, caused soldiers to wear gas masks, leading to lasting lung damage for many veterans.
- Machine guns were fired more than 500 rounds of ammunition in a minute and made it difficult for either side to gain new territory.
- Submarine warfare was extensive and made a larger impact.
- Airplanes were loaded with machine guns and aerial combat began.
- Tanks moved across difficult terrain and fired directly at the enemy.
- Overall led to a bloody four-year stalemate, and the death toll was higher than ever.

The United States Enters the War

Economic ties
- US had economic links to the Allies and contributed to their entry into the war in 1917.
Democratic beliefs
- Americans viewed the Allies as more democratic than the Central Powers.
Resentment against Germans
- US grew angrier, especially due to U-boat attacks. This included the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 which had more than 100 US citizens aboard.
Zimmerman Telegram was intercepted in January 1917 and the telegram revealed that Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico against U.S.

Total War

Strategy
- Nation’s fully committed all available resources, including civilians, to ensure World War I victory
- Massive mobilization efforts involved millions of civilians in war-related industries
Economic Shift
- Entire economies shifted to support the war effort
- Planning boards regulated production, prices, wages, and rationed supplies
Censorship and Control
- Governments enforced strict media censorship and measures against war critics
- Information control aimed at maintaining public morale and support for the war
Propaganda’s Role
- Propaganda played a crucial role in shaping public opinion during total war
- Extensive campaigns aimed to influence attitudes with exaggerated or biased information
- Posters and articles exaggerated German atrocities in American and British propaganda
- German propaganda reciprocated by demonizing Americans and the British
- Used artists to illustrate battle scenes and glorify Allied soldiers

A Global War

Geographic Scale
- Fought across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
- Unprecedented global reach since the Seven Years' War in the late 18th century
Imperialistic Competition
- Major combatants ruled colonies in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific
- Imperialism extended war boundaries, leading to major battles in North Africa and the Middle East
Japanese Involvement
- Japan joined the Allies to gain control of German colonies in the Pacific and occupied Tsingtao, a German-held port in China
Colonial Contributions
- British seized most of Germany's African colonies
- Notable contributions from ANZAC troops in Gallipoli, Canadians in European battles, and colonial troops drafted by Britain and France
Post-War Aspirations
- Colonial troops enlisted with hopes of gaining recognition and promises of self-rule post-war
- Arabs fought with the Allies expecting self-rule after victory

Women and the War

Changing Roles
- Women, barred from voting or combat roles, saw significant life changes due to men enlisting
- Took on roles in farms, factories, and crucial positions in support of the war effort
Varied Policies
- Most countries didn’t allow women from serving in combat, but Russia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria allowed it
- In 1917, Russia's creation of an all-female battalion was aimed at shaming men into continuing to fight
Women served on the front lines as nurses, ambulance drivers, and switchboard operators

The Paris Peace Conference

Big Four Leaders
- Woodrow Wilson (U.S.), David Lloyd George (Britain), Georges Clemenceau (France), Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
- Italy left in anger for not getting promised territories
Differing Visions
- Wilson wanted "peace without victory," Clemenceau sought revenge on Central Powers
- U.S. Senate rejected Wilson's League of Nations; new nations formed in Europe
Self-Determination
- Conquered peoples had a right to choose their future
- New nations emerged after Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires dissolved
Treaty of Versailles
- Harsh Terms for Germany
  - Germany faced reparations, lost colonies, and restricted armed forces
  - Germans blamed for the war which led to humiliation
- Post-War German Hardship
  - Reparations caused economic struggles
  - Bitterness toward Weimar Republic fueled the rise of the Nazi party

Terms to Remember

Term	Definition + Significance

| Conscription | Mandatory enlistment of citizens into the military in times of dire need. Allowed forces to enlist people to fight in the war as a national service. | | Stalemate | A deadlock in which neither side of a war makes significant progress. | | Propaganda | Spreading information that is sometimes biased to support a particular cause. | | Global War | A conflict involving many nations across multiple continents. | | Self-Determination | A nation’s right to govern themselves, make decisions about their own affairs, and determine their political status. | | Reparations | Payments made by a “losing” country to the “winners” after a war. | | Lusitania | British ocean liner sunk by a German submarine in World War I. Served as a turning point and caused the US to enter the war eventually. | | Zimmerman Telegram | A secret message from Germany to Mexico asking for an alliance during World War I. | | Total War | When a nation’s resources and population are shifted completely towards the war effort. | | ANZAC | Australian and New Zealand Army Corps; fought together in World War I. | | Gallipoli | A battle during World War I where the Allies (including ANZAC), suffered heavy losses. | | Paris Peace Conference | Meeting of Allied leaders post-World War I to negotiate peace terms and discuss the Treaty of Versailles. | | Big Four | The main leaders at the Paris Peace Conference: Wilson, Lloyd George, Clemenceau, and Orlando. | | Woodrow Wilson | President of the United States during World War I. He advocated for the League of Nations and the Fourteen Points. | | David Lloyd George | The Prime Minister of the UK during World War I and the Paris Peace Conference. | | Georges Clemenceau | The Prime Minister of France during World War I and the Paris Peace Conference. | | Vittorio Orlando | The Prime Minister of Italy during World War I and the Paris Peace Conference. | | Fourteen Points | Woodrow Wilson’s peace principles emphasized self-determination and the League of Nations. | | League of Nations | International organization established after World War I to promote peace among nations. | | Treaty of Versailles | Peace treaty that ended World War I. Imposed harsh conditions on Germany and led to post-war instability. | | Weimar Republic | Democratic government established in Germany after World War I. Faced economic and political challenges. | | Trench Warfare | Military strategy involving fortified trenches; a distinguishing tactic of World War I. | | Poison Gas | Chemical weapons used that caused severe injuries and introduced a new level of brutality to warfare. | | Machine Guns | Firearms that were capable of rapid and continuous fire, influencing military tactics in the war. | | Submarines | Underwater vessels like German U-boats, which played a significant role in naval warfare. | | Airplanes | Aerial vehicles that were used in combat during World War I. | | Tanks | Armored military vehicles that were introduced during the war. They were designed for traversing diverse terrains. | | U-boat | German submarines that were influential in the unrestricted submarine warfare in World War I. | | All Quiet on the Western Front | A novel including vivid portrayals of the experiences of soldiers in trenches during World War I. |

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