The First World War - Ending the War KEY TERMS

?
The USA
First few years of war, USA officially neutral. But did supply loans + equipment to Allies. Declared war April 1917: huge blow to German morale. After training/supplying their troops, they sent around 1 million troops to France in summer 1918.
1 of 19
The Lusitania
Passenger ship travelling from New York to Liverpool. Sunk by a German U-boat. Allies were in the wrong as it was carrying war cargo, but by attacking a passenger ship, the Germans were breaking accepted international codes of war.
2 of 19
The Lusitania 2
The Germans wanted to avoid the USA joining the war, so promised to stop unrestricted warfare.
3 of 19
Unrestricted submarine warfare.
When submarines attack merchant ships without warning rather than following the agreed international rules.
4 of 19
Zimmerman Telegram
German foreign minister Zimmerman sent message to German ambassador to Mexico offering a deal to ally with Mexico, offering some of USA's land to Mexico. The message was decrypted by Britain and leaked to America - who were furious!
5 of 19
Russia Revolution
Provisional government formed after March 1917 revolution + Communist government in October 1917. Refused to fight in the war anymore. This provided the German army the chance to divert their troops to the Western Front before US soldiers arrived.
6 of 19
Communism
Belief in a classless society in which private ownership is banned - all property is owned by the community as a whole and wealth is divided equally or according to needs.
7 of 19
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Russia punished harshly. Lost lots of territory which provided food and raw materials for industry - helped Germany.
8 of 19
Wilson's 14 points
Wilson called for world reduction in weapons + for countries to rule themselves.
9 of 19
Military developments
Allies had better tanks and their military tactics developed from 1916 onwards, using the latest technology. German aircraft could no longer attack targets in England because there were better searchlights, anti-aircraft guns and planes.
10 of 19
Military developments 2
By October 1918 the Royal Flying Corps had over 20,000 aircraft.
11 of 19
The Ludendorff/Spring Offensive
Russian surrender gave Germans final chance to end stalemate. They launched an offensive, started with usual artillery bombardments and gas attacks. Instead of infantry wave, attacked with small bands of highly trained, lightly equipped storm troops,
12 of 19
The Ludendorff/Spring Offensive 2
stuck during a heavy fog. Initially successful - advanced 64km, Paris in range. However, the Germans lost 400,000 men and had no reserves left. The remaining troops were poorly trained and stopped to loot food.
13 of 19
The Allied Advance
May-August 1918 - no progress made by Germans. Allies had well-resourced/fed troops - many US, and improved tanks, aircraft and artillery. The Allies united under Foch + counter-attacked and by October the Germans retreated Period known as the 'Hundr
14 of 19
Naval blockade
German troops and civilians were starving. Led to mutiny in November 1918.
15 of 19
Abdication
Kaiser was forced to give up his throne by politicians and civilian/naval riots.
16 of 19
Weimar Republic
Germany became a democracy, where people voted for the new government, with a President rather than monarch.
17 of 19
Armistice
Agreement to stop fighting. Terms included; Germany to pay reparations (money), leave occupied territory and surrender submarines and air force.
18 of 19
Treaty of Versailles
Germany hated it. Reparations of £6.6 billion, lost 13% of land, reduced army to 100,000 men, and full blame for war.
19 of 19

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Passenger ship travelling from New York to Liverpool. Sunk by a German U-boat. Allies were in the wrong as it was carrying war cargo, but by attacking a passenger ship, the Germans were breaking accepted international codes of war.

Back

The Lusitania

Card 3

Front

The Germans wanted to avoid the USA joining the war, so promised to stop unrestricted warfare.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

When submarines attack merchant ships without warning rather than following the agreed international rules.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

German foreign minister Zimmerman sent message to German ambassador to Mexico offering a deal to ally with Mexico, offering some of USA's land to Mexico. The message was decrypted by Britain and leaked to America - who were furious!

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Causes and effects of WW1 resources »