-
1917 BCE
Convoy System
Vice Admiral William S. Sims suggested the British to use the convoy system which required destroyers to heavily guard merchant ships across the Atlantic in groups. Also allowed the US NAVY to help deploy 230mi mine barrier across N sea from Scotland to Norway. -
1917 BCE
Food Administration
Helped produce and conserve food, and people followed the "gospel of the clean plate." 1day/week: meatless-->sweetless-->2 days wheatless--> two more days porkless. Restaurants served bread instead of sugar bowls after the first course. -
1914 BCE
1914 Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The powder keg was sparked when Russia wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea, Germany wanted a rail link to the Ottoman Empire, and taking control of Bosnia in 1878. Ferdinand was assassinated at the Bosnian capital Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip (member of the Black Hand to promote Serbian nationalism. -
1907 BCE
Allies (Triple Entente)
Consists of France, Britain, and Russia -
1907 BCE
Central Powers (Triple Alliance)
Consists of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Germany & Austria-Hungary with Ottoman Empire controlled by Turks. -
Schlieffen Plan
A strategy by Germany to invade Belgium to Paris with holding action against Russia. France falls then two German armies defeat Russia. -
SInking of British liner Lusitania
British blockaded German coast to prevent weapons and other military supplies to arrive. Germany responded by using U-boats from Unterseeboot (submarines) which sank Lusitania (S coast of Ireland). 1,198 people and 128 Americans died. Made Americans mad, and turned against Germany and Central powers. -
Sinking of British liner Arabic
British liner Arabic sunk by U-boat, and US protested (Germans will not sink any more passenger ships). -
Sinking of French passenger liner Sussex
Sussex was attacked by a U-boat, and killed/injured 80 passengers including americans. Germany agreed to one condition: US convinces Britain to lift its blockade against food and fertilizers, if not, Germany will renew unrestricted submarine warfare. -
Battle of the Somme
Bloody trench warfare battle between the Allies and Central powers. The british suffered 60,000 casualties (D1). Total casualties were about 1.2million. Lasted 3 years. -
Zimmermann note
A telegram from the German foreign minister to the German ambassador in Mexico that intercepted by British agents. It proposed an alliance between Mexico & Germany and promised to support Mexico to recover lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona if war broke out with the US. -
Committee on Public Information
Government set up first propaganda agency to influence people's thoughts and actions, and was led by journalist George Creel. He persuaded artist and advertising agencies to create paintings, posters, cartoons, and sculptures to promote war. Also hired 75,000 men as "Four-Minute Men." -
Selective Service Act of 1917
Registered men with the government that is randomized for the military service. 3 million was called up for the act, but about 2 million troops went to Europe before it was signed, 3/4 spectated combat. Most did not attend high school, and 1/5 was foreign -
War Industries Board
Industry led by Bernard M. Baruch which encouraged companies to use mass production techniques to increases efficiency. Industrial production increased about 20%, but wholesale level was managed by price controls only while retail prices skyrocketed (almost x2; 1918). -
National War Labor Board
Established by President WIlson, and those who refuse this lose their draft exemptions. It told workers, "Work or fight," but also improved factory conditions with 8hr workdays, safety inspections, and enforce the child labor ban. -
Second Battle of the Marne
Russia was not in the war in 1917, and Germans shift their armies to the Western front of France. Americans stopped the advance at Cantigny, France. Later, US troops defeated the German attacks in Chateau & Belleau Wood. -
Austria Hungary surrenders to the Allies
Alvin York fought against Germans & doughboys with only a rifle and revolver, and killed 25 Germans and with the help of 6 doughboys captured 132 prisoners. Was promoted to Sgt. from commander Marshal Foch. -
Establishment of the German Republic
German sailors mutinied against the government authority, and created revolutionary councils (soldier/workers). It resulted in the German republic led by socialist leaders in the capital of Berlin. -
Cease fire and Armistice
The exhaustion of the German soldiers to continue fighting resulted in the 11 hr, day, month of 1918, and agreed to sign the armistice which ended the war.
