1917 tto
1917
Lesduur is: 50 minOnderdelen in deze les
1917
Today
After today you will be able to:
* Explain why the USA entered the war in 1917.
* Describe why Russia dropped out of the war.
* Identify the impact of the major battles of 1917.
* Understand the role of submarine warfare.
Recap
Stalemate on the Western Front.
Millions of casualties already.
Allies vs. Central Powers locked in trench warfare.
Everyone hoped for a breakthrough.
USA until 1917
The USA stayed neutral from 1914–1917.
Economic ties: traded with both sides, but more with Britain/France.
Many Americans wanted to stay out of “Europe’s war.”
Submarine warfare
Germany started to attack all Allied and neutral ships in de war without warning
Direct response to British naval blockade of German ports
Aim: to stop supply lines and defeat Britain before the USA would join the war
The Lusitania
British ocean liner, one of the biggest passenger ships of that time
Carried passengers and war materials
7 mei 1915: gets hit by a German u-boat off the coast of Ireland
Sinks only 18 minutes later
1200 people die, including over a hundred US citizens
Zimmermann telegram
German State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to the German ambassador to Mexico.
If the US would not stay neutral, Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico
War between Mexico and the US would at least tie down American forces and arms
Germany promised Mexico territory after the defeat of the US
But Mexico said no, the British intercepted the telegram and the USA were not amused
2 April 1917
Wilson calls for a declaration of war against Germany
- fear of German attack against the US
- declared there was a need for a war to end all wars
- to protect democracy and freedom
Russia
1917: huge problems in Russia
- food shortage
- millions of dead
- unrest because of bad Tsar
(more of that in a next lesson)
March Revolution
Protests for food and against the war in St. Petersburg
Army chose side of protesters
Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne on 15 March 1917
A provisional government was formed
November revolution
New government did not solve the problems
Bolsheviks and their leader Lenin promised 'peace, land and bread'
Seized power
Formed a new government and withdrew from WW1
Start of Russian Civil War
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
3 March 1918
Peace treaty between the new Bolshevik government and the Central Powers (Germany & co)
Russia lost a lot of territory (Baltic states, Ukraine) and so also a lot of people and food production)
But not for long...
The battle of Passchendaele
Officially 3rd battle of Ypres
31 July - 6 November 1917
Flat plain, constant shelling, mud everywhere: men and horses drowned in it
Gain: 5 miles
Cost: 325,000 Allied and 260,000 German casualties
The battle of Cambrai
First battle that involved tanks
20 November - 7 December 1917
The tanks breached the German Hindenburg defense line succesfully
Germany recaptured most of it
Gain: new methods and equiment worked
Cost: 44.000 Allied and 55,000 German casualties
So....
USA enters: fresh troops, money, supplies.
Russia leaves: Germany can focus on the west.
Battles show the stalemate continues — but Allies are stronger with US support.
Submarine war backfires on Germany.
Work on your practical assignment