Impacts of the entry of the Impacts of the entry of the USA and the Russian USA and the Russian

withdrawal inwithdrawal inWWIWWI

ReasonsReasons

Initial ImpactsInitial Impacts

ConsequencesConsequences

Reasons for the USA’s entryReasons for the USA’s entry

-The issue that brought the U.S into the war was Germany’s policy of -The issue that brought the U.S into the war was Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.unrestricted submarine warfare.

-On May 7, 1915, the British Cunard liner, the Lusitania, was attacked -On May 7, 1915, the British Cunard liner, the Lusitania, was attacked and sunk by a German submarine. 1198 civilians were killed and sunk by a German submarine. 1198 civilians were killed including 124 Americans. Many more attacks on American vessels including 124 Americans. Many more attacks on American vessels caused the Americans to declare war.caused the Americans to declare war.

-The German Foreign minister, Zimmermann, sent a secret note to the -The German Foreign minister, Zimmermann, sent a secret note to the German minister in Mexico suggesting joint German-Mexican action German minister in Mexico suggesting joint German-Mexican action against the United States. This became known as the ‘Zimmermann against the United States. This became known as the ‘Zimmermann Telegram’.Telegram’.

-On 6 April the U.S declared war on Germany. War was not declared -On 6 April the U.S declared war on Germany. War was not declared on Austria-Hungary until 7 December 1917.on Austria-Hungary until 7 December 1917.

Initial impactsInitial impacts

The U.S involvement had an immediate impact on The U.S involvement had an immediate impact on morale. Allied morale jumped, and the German morale morale. Allied morale jumped, and the German morale did the opposite.did the opposite.

At the beginning of 1917, the U.S had only a small army At the beginning of 1917, the U.S had only a small army of about 160 000, 25 000 of whom were stationed of about 160 000, 25 000 of whom were stationed overseas. By October 1918 it had an effective army of 4 overseas. By October 1918 it had an effective army of 4 million. More than 2 million had been transported to million. More than 2 million had been transported to France and about 1.3 million were actually on the front. France and about 1.3 million were actually on the front.

ConsequencesConsequences

Operation Michael, the first stage of Ludendorffs’ Operation Michael, the first stage of Ludendorffs’ spring offensive, occurred as a result of the U.S spring offensive, occurred as a result of the U.S entry and the Russian withdrawal. This operation entry and the Russian withdrawal. This operation made use of storm troopers, who used made use of storm troopers, who used ‘stealthier’ tactics to infiltrate and destroy the ‘stealthier’ tactics to infiltrate and destroy the enemy artillery.enemy artillery.Germany’s ultimate and inevitable defeat came Germany’s ultimate and inevitable defeat came as a result of the U.S entry. For Germany, it as a result of the U.S entry. For Germany, it seemed that the end of the war was very near seemed that the end of the war was very near and it did not seem the end would be to their and it did not seem the end would be to their favour. favour.

British propagandaBritish propaganda

British propaganda suchBritish propaganda such

as thisas this

poster thatposter that

was created after the was created after the

German sinking of theGerman sinking of the

British linerBritish liner

Lusitania was used to convince the Lusitania was used to convince the

Americans to declare war on Germany.Americans to declare war on Germany.

The Zimmermann TelegramThe Zimmermann Telegram

Extract from the ‘Zimmermann Telegram-Extract from the ‘Zimmermann Telegram-

“ “If this attempt (to keep the U.S neutral) is If this attempt (to keep the U.S neutral) is unsuccessful we propose an alliance on the unsuccessful we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico. That we shall make following basis with Mexico. That we shall make war together and make peace together. We shall war together and make peace together. We shall give general financial support, and it is give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. The territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. The details are left for your settlement.”details are left for your settlement.”

The Russian WithdrawalThe Russian Withdrawal

Two Revolutions in 1917 led to Russia’s Two Revolutions in 1917 led to Russia’s formal withdrawal from the war in 1918. formal withdrawal from the war in 1918. Lack of supplies, food, ammunition, and Lack of supplies, food, ammunition, and even boots led to indiscipline, attacks on even boots led to indiscipline, attacks on officers and mutiny.officers and mutiny.The treaty of Brest Litovsk in March 1918 The treaty of Brest Litovsk in March 1918 was a peace treaty between Germany and was a peace treaty between Germany and Russia. This had them withdraw from the Russia. This had them withdraw from the war.war.

Extract from a speech by British prime Minister Lloyd Extract from a speech by British prime Minister Lloyd George, London news paper, ‘The Times’, 29 March George, London news paper, ‘The Times’, 29 March

19181918

““We are at the crisis of the war. Attacked by an We are at the crisis of the war. Attacked by an immense superiority of German troops, our Army immense superiority of German troops, our Army has been forced to retire. The retirement has has been forced to retire. The retirement has been carried out methodically before the been carried out methodically before the pressure of a steady succession of fresh pressure of a steady succession of fresh German reserves... but this battle, the greatest German reserves... but this battle, the greatest and most momentous in the history of the world, and most momentous in the history of the world, is only just beginning. Throughout it, French and is only just beginning. Throughout it, French and British morale is boosted with the knowledge British morale is boosted with the knowledge that the USA will neglect no effort which can that the USA will neglect no effort which can hasten its troops and ships to Europe. In war, hasten its troops and ships to Europe. In war, time is vital.” time is vital.”

Extract from President Wilsons’ speech to Extract from President Wilsons’ speech to congress, 2 April 1917congress, 2 April 1917

““The present German submarine warfare against The present German submarine warfare against commerce, is a warfare against mankind. It is a commerce, is a warfare against mankind. It is a war against all nations. American ships have war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken…the challenge been sunk, American lives taken…the challenge is to all mankind…our motive will not be revenge is to all mankind…our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of which we are only a single champion…the world which we are only a single champion…the world must be made safe for democracy.”must be made safe for democracy.”

Extract from ‘The Great War’ by Extract from ‘The Great War’ by Les Carlyon.Les Carlyon.

““The Germans had been outnumbered on The Germans had been outnumbered on the western front by about 175 divisions to the western front by about 175 divisions to 150. By March 20, 1918…the Germans, 150. By March 20, 1918…the Germans, having brought troops back from the east having brought troops back from the east and from Italy, would outnumber the allies and from Italy, would outnumber the allies by about 190 divisions to 170. And the by about 190 divisions to 170. And the allied figure was misleading. It included allied figure was misleading. It included American divisions that were unready to American divisions that were unready to be thrown into the line”be thrown into the line”

Ludendorffs’ Spring OffensiveLudendorffs’ Spring Offensive

As a consequence of the U.S entry, As a consequence of the U.S entry, Ludendorffs spring offensive failed. Ludendorffs spring offensive failed.

Impacts of the Russian Impacts of the Russian WithdrawalWithdrawal

Ludendorff:Ludendorff:‘…‘…We still have a chance of victory. Russia is at We still have a chance of victory. Russia is at

last out of the war, and the whole forces of last out of the war, and the whole forces of Germany can be turned against France. Nearly Germany can be turned against France. Nearly forty divisions and 400 000 men can reinforce forty divisions and 400 000 men can reinforce the western front. With these we have at last a the western front. With these we have at last a superiority of force which will last for about four superiority of force which will last for about four months.’months.’

‘‘Europe in the 19Europe in the 19thth and 20 and 20thth Centuries’, Longman, Centuries’, Longman, Green & Co.Green & Co.

Allied morale heightenedAllied morale heightened

When the U.S entered the war, the morale When the U.S entered the war, the morale of the allied forces was a record high.of the allied forces was a record high.

Here, French soldiers are depicted Here, French soldiers are depicted marching. marching.

The wars’ endThe wars’ end

Americas entry resulted in Germany’s Americas entry resulted in Germany’s ultimate defeat and the end of the war. ultimate defeat and the end of the war. Here, people rejoice at the wars’ end.Here, people rejoice at the wars’ end.

Abdication Proclamation of Abdication Proclamation of Wilhelm IIWilhelm II

From World War I Document ArchiveFrom World War I Document Archive ““28 November, 1918 28 November, 1918 I herewith renounce for all time claims to the throne of Prussia and to the I herewith renounce for all time claims to the throne of Prussia and to the

German Imperial throne connected therewith. At the same time I release all German Imperial throne connected therewith. At the same time I release all officials of the German Empire and of Prussia, as well as all officers, officials of the German Empire and of Prussia, as well as all officers, noncommissioned officers and men of the navy and of the Prussian army, noncommissioned officers and men of the navy and of the Prussian army, as well as the troops of the federated states of Germany, from the oath of as well as the troops of the federated states of Germany, from the oath of fidelity which they tendered to me as their Emperor, King and Commander-fidelity which they tendered to me as their Emperor, King and Commander-in-Chief. I expect of them that until the re-establishment of order in the in-Chief. I expect of them that until the re-establishment of order in the German Empire they shall render assistance to those in actual power in German Empire they shall render assistance to those in actual power in Germany, in protecting the German people from the threatening dangers of Germany, in protecting the German people from the threatening dangers of anarchy, famine, and foreign rule. anarchy, famine, and foreign rule.

Proclaimed under our own hand and with the imperial seal attached. Proclaimed under our own hand and with the imperial seal attached. Amerongen, 28 November, 1918 Amerongen, 28 November, 1918

(Signed ) (Signed ) WILLIAM” WILLIAM”

The ArmisticeThe ArmisticeColonel Thomas Gowenlock served as an intelligence officer in the American Colonel Thomas Gowenlock served as an intelligence officer in the American 1st Division. He was on the front line that November morning and wrote of his 1st Division. He was on the front line that November morning and wrote of his experience a few years later:experience a few years later:

"On the morning of November 11 I sat in my dugout in Le Gros Faux, "On the morning of November 11 I sat in my dugout in Le Gros Faux, which was again our division headquarters, talking to our Chief of which was again our division headquarters, talking to our Chief of Staff, Colonel John Greely, and Lieutenant Colonel Paul Peabody, Staff, Colonel John Greely, and Lieutenant Colonel Paul Peabody, our G-1. A signal corps officer entered and handed us the following our G-1. A signal corps officer entered and handed us the following message: message:

‘ ‘Official Radio from Paris - 6:01 A.M., Nov. 11, 1918. Marshal Foch Official Radio from Paris - 6:01 A.M., Nov. 11, 1918. Marshal Foch to the Commander-in-Chief.1. Hostilities will be stopped on the to the Commander-in-Chief.1. Hostilities will be stopped on the entire front beginning at 11 o'clock, November 11th (French hour).entire front beginning at 11 o'clock, November 11th (French hour).2. The Allied troops will not go beyond the line reached at that hour 2. The Allied troops will not go beyond the line reached at that hour on that date until further orders.[signed]           on that date until further orders.[signed]           MARSHAL FOCHMARSHAL FOCH5:45 A.M.’ ”    5:45 A.M.’ ”