WWI

  • Allies

    Two major defence alliances in Europe. The Triple Entente, later known as the Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and Russia.
  • Central Powers

    The Triple alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Germany and Austria-Hungary, together with the Ottoman Empire (Turk land in the Middle East) were later known as the Central Powers.
  • Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

    Heir to the Austrian throne, visited the Bosnian capital Sarajevo. Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip stepped from the crowd and shot the Archduke and his wife Sophie. Was a member pf the Black Hand, Serbian Nationalism. July 28, Aus-Hang declared war on Serbia. Aug 1, Germany supported Aus-Hang amd declared war on Russia. Aug 3, Germ declared war on France.
  • Schlieffen Plan

    Germany invaded Belgium with the plan - called for a holding action against Russia, combined with a quick drive through Belgium to Parris; after France had fallen, the two German armies would defeat Russia.
  • Sinking of British Liner Luistania

    German U-boats attacked in response to the British blockade. The Germans defended their action on the grounds that the liner carried ammunition.
  • Sinking of the British Liner Arabic

    Germany sank another British liner, the Arabic, drowning 2 americans.
  • Sinking of French passenger liner Sussex

    Germ broke its promise to to not sink any more passenger ships and sank the Sussex, killing 80 passengers. Germany agreed to stop only if Britain lifts its bloackades.
  • Battle of the Somme

    Lasting until mid November, the allies lost 1.2 million in the first fight with trench warfare.
  • Committee of Public Information

    The govt et up the nation's first propoganda agency to popularize the war. Head was George Creel, a former muckraking journalist.
  • Zimmermann note

    A telegram from the German foreign minister to the German ambassador in Mexico that was intercepted by British agents. It proposed an alliance between Mexico and Germany and promised that if the war with the U.S. broke out, Germ would support Mexico in regaining Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
  • Selective Service Act of 1917

    It required men to register with the government in order to be randomly selected for military service. By the end of 1918, 24 million men registered and 3 million were called up. About 400,000 African Americans served.
  • Convoy System

    American Vice Admiral William S. Sims convinced Britain to try the convoy system, in which a heavy guard of destroyers escorted merchant ships across the Atlantic.
  • War Industries Board

    The WIB was established in 1917 and reorganized in 1918 under the leadership of Bernard M. Baruch. Encouraged companies to use mass-production techniques to increase efficiency. Also urged to eliminate waste by standardizing products. Applied price controls at the wholesale level. Retail prices and corporate profits soared. Controlled the railroads, and the Fuel administration monitored coal supplies and rationed gasoline and heating oil.
  • Food Administration

    Wilson set this up under Herbert Hoover to help produce and conserve food. Instead of rationing, he declared one day a week "sweetless," "meatless," two days "wheatless," and "porkless" under the "gospel of the clean plate." American food shipments to the Allies tripled. Set up high govt price on wheat an other staples. > Increased farmer income by 30 percent.
  • Espionage and Sedition Acts

    The espionage act was passed in June 1917, and the Sedition Act in May 1918. Under these acts, a person could be fined up to $10,000, and sentenced to 20 years in jail for interfering with the awr effort or saying anything disloyal about the govt or war effort. Targeted social and labor leaders.
  • National War Labor Board

    Wilson established to deal with disputes between management and labor. Workers who refused to obey board decisions could lose their draft exemptions. Improved factory conditions. Pushed for eight-hour work days, safety inspections, and enforced child labor ban.
  • Second Battle of the Marne

    The truning point in the war. Allies advance steadily after defeating the Germans.
  • Austria-Hungary surrenders to the Allies

    Surrendered same day Germ sailors mutinied against goverment authority.
  • Establishment of the German Republic

    German sailors mutinued against govt authority when Aus-Hung surrendered. Everywhere in Germany, groups of soldiers organized revolutionary councils. The kaiser gave up the throne.
  • Cease-Fire and Armistace

    Although there were no Allied soldiers on German territory with no truly deciisive battles fought, the Germans were too exhausted to fight. Signed the truce that ended the war.