World War I Events and Weapons

Study Notes

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict
Trench warfare was a significant aspect of the war characterized by opposing sides entrenched in trenches guarded by barbed wire and mines. This style of fighting led to prolonged periods of stalemate and extremely high casualties

British machine guns were used in the Battle of the Somme, causing considerable casualties, especially for the British Army.
Artillery guns and machine guns were central to the warfare
Poison gas was used, though it did not always cause direct deaths. Mustard gas was among the commonly employed chemical weapons.
Tanks were first used in World War I, changing the approach to warfare.
Aircraft were also employed during the conflict but were still underdevelopment

Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare against neutral ships, including passenger ships, led to rising American public opinion against Germany.
The sinking of the Lusitania, a British ocean liner, carrying many American citizens, sparked outrage in America.
The Zimmerman Telegram, a coded message sent by the German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmermann, to Mexico proposing a military alliance against the U.S., further inflamed public opinion and accelerated U.S. involvement

Total War describes a conflict where all resources, including civilian population and manpower, are mobilized.
Propaganda was widely used during the war to influence public opinion, recruitment, and support for the war

Women filled a number of roles previously held only by men during the war effort due to the lack of male laborers during World War I,
Roles included factory work, farm work, and other jobs in heavy industry and transportation. This helped stimulate change in female employment

The Treaty of Versailles, signed after World War I, held Germany responsible for starting the war
The Treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, a War Guilt Clause, and massive payments of reparations
The treaty also included demilitarization of the German armed forces. This treaty sparked considerable controversy in the years following

The League of Nations, an international organization, was established to prevent future wars.
It was set-up following the Treaty of Versailles

President Woodrow Wilson's 14 points were key to the post-World War I peace process. They included various principles for peace and justice.

Post-war, inflation severely impacted the German economy. It was caused by numerous factors

The Great Depression, a period of economic hardship, was marked by low economic activity, rising unemployment, closed businesses and banks, and falling stock prices.

The war resulted in significant changes to the map of Europe with the dissolution of empires and redrawing borders.

Events and atrocities involving the Turkish targeted population of Armenians were significant during WWI

The aftermath of World War I, including the Treaty of Versailles, the formation of the League of Nations, and the economic and political turmoil that ensued, had a long-lasting impact on the world