WWI and Russian Revolution Study Guide PDF

Name ____________________________________________ Study Guide: WWI & Russian Revolution Exam American Neutrality and Entry into WWI At the onset of World War I in 1914, the United States initially pursued a policy of neutrality. This was rooted in several factors: ​ Geography: The U.S. was se...

Name ____________________________________________ Study Guide: WWI & Russian Revolution Exam American Neutrality and Entry into WWI At the onset of World War I in 1914, the United States initially pursued a policy of neutrality. This was rooted in several factors: ​ Geography: The U.S. was separated from the conflict by the Atlantic Ocean, and many Americans believed the war was a European problem. ​ Political Ideals: President Wilson and many Americans favored isolationism, believing the U.S. should avoid foreign entanglements. ​ Public Opinion: Many Americans were divided in their sympathies, with some supporting the Allied powers (especially Britain and France) and others sympathetic to Germany due to their shared German heritage or trade ties. However, by 1917, the United States was drawn into the war, primarily due to: ​ Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany’s policy of attacking any ship, including American ships, around Britain with their U-boats led to the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and other American vessels. ​ Zimmermann Telegram: In 1917, British intelligence intercepted a secret message from Germany to Mexico, promising the return of U.S. territories (such as Texas) if Mexico allied with Germany. ​ Economic Interests: The U.S. had strong economic ties to the Allied powers, particularly through loans and trade, and a victory for the Central Powers would jeopardize these financial interests. President Wilson justified the decision to enter the war with the belief that the U.S. needed to fight "to make the world safe for democracy." Economic factors (like trade and loans) and the need to protect American interests abroad played significant roles, although Wilson emphasized idealistic goals like peace without victory. The Lusitania and U.S. Entry into War ​ The sinking of the Lusitania (1915) by a German U-boat resulted in 124 American deaths. ​ However, the U.S. did not enter the war immediately, as it occurred nearly two years before the declaration of war. ​ The real turning points for U.S. entry were: ○​ Germany resuming unrestricted submarine warfare in early 1917. ○​ The Zimmerman Telegram, in which Germany promised to help Mexico regain U.S. territories. ○​ The fall of Tsarist Russia, making it easier for Wilson to justify war as a fight for democracy. ○​ Economic interests, as the U.S. had loaned Britain $2 billion. Wilson’s Fourteen Points President Wilson’s Fourteen Points, delivered in a speech in January 1918, outlined a vision for lasting peace after the war, aiming to prevent future conflicts through fair diplomacy and international cooperation. Some key elements included: ​ Self-determination for nations: Wilson called for the rights of ethnic groups and colonies to govern themselves, challenging imperialist powers. ​ League of Nations: This international organization was envisioned to resolve conflicts diplomatically and ensure collective security. ​ Free trade and open diplomacy: Wilson sought to remove barriers to international commerce and promote transparency in international relations. Name ____________________________________________ While these points reflected Wilson's idealism about diplomacy and cooperation, the U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles, which included the formation of the League of Nations, primarily because: ​ Fear of entanglement: Many Senators, particularly Republicans, feared that joining the League would involve the U.S. in future European conflicts, undermining the nation's sovereignty. ​ Opposition to internationalism: Isolationists were concerned that the League would lead to the U.S. becoming too involved in international affairs, contrary to the country’s longstanding foreign policy tradition of avoiding entanglement in European disputes. America’s Role in the War ​ The U.S. primarily contributed economic and material support to the Entente. ​ American troops, or "doughboys," arrived in spring 1918 under General John J. Pershing. ​ More soldiers died from the influenza pandemic than in combat. The U.S. Government and the War Effort ​ Increased federal power: ○​ Selective Service Act (1917): Drafted 24 million men. ○​ War Industries Board: Regulated production, pricing, and distribution. ○​ Fuel and Railroad Administrations: Controlled resources and transport. ○​ War Labor Board: Pushed for minimum wages and better working conditions. Propaganda and Civil Liberties ​ Committee on Public Information (CPI): ○​ Mass propaganda campaign to encourage public support. ○​ Created posters, films, and speeches emphasizing democracy and freedom. ​ Repression of dissent: ○​ Espionage Act (1917): Criminalized interference with the draft. ○​ Sedition Act (1918): Banned speech that criticized the government or war. ○​ Eugene Debs was imprisoned for anti-war speeches under these laws. Cultural Impact ​ Ernest Hemingway and the Lost Generation: WWI’s horrors inspired disillusionment in artists and writers. ​ The war accelerated government control over industry and labor, but also curbed free speech in ways that still affect legal debates today. Impact of Total War World War I is often considered the first "Total War," where entire societies were mobilized for the war effort. This concept was characterized by: ​ Full Mobilization of Resources: Nations shifted their economies to war production, with factories converting to produce weapons and supplies. This included the rationing of food and materials. ​ Civilians' Role: Civilians became directly involved in the war effort, either through labor in factories or as volunteers for medical or support work. Women took on roles traditionally held by men, including working in factories and as nurses on the front lines. Name ____________________________________________ ​ Blurring of the Soldier and Civilian Divide: With technological advancements like air warfare, tanks, and chemical weapons, the front lines often spread across civilian areas, and bombing campaigns targeted cities, leading to widespread civilian casualties. The social, political, and economic consequences of total war included: ​ Social Change: The role of women shifted dramatically as they entered the workforce, laying the groundwork for future movements toward gender equality. ​ Political Change: Many countries became more centralized, with governments exerting greater control over economies and societies. ​ Economic Strain: The costs of war drained national treasuries, leading to inflation, debt, and economic instability, particularly in postwar Europe. Effects of WWI on Civilian Populations / New Technology ​ Mobilization and Civilian Involvement: ○​ Millions of men volunteered for military service, but as war continued, conscription (drafts) became necessary. ○​ Women worked in factories producing weapons, served as nurses, and filled other roles to support the war effort. ○​ Civilians participated by rationing food, purchasing war bonds, and housing soldiers and refugees. ○​ Industry shifted production to military needs—factories made weapons, vehicles, and supplies at an unprecedented rate. ​ Technology and Its Consequences: ○​ New military technologies included tanks, two-way radios, poison gas, and machine guns. ○​ While technology made armies more powerful, strategies lagged behind, leading to massive casualties. ○​ Trench warfare, combined with new weaponry, created horrific conditions for soldiers. ○​ The 1918 influenza pandemic was worsened by the war, spreading quickly through troop movements and killing millions worldwide. ​ Complete Destruction of the Enemy & New Warfare Ethics: ○​ The Hague Conventions (1899, 1907) established rules of war, but many were violated (e.g., the German invasion of Belgium, use of poison gas). ○​ Germany used Zeppelin raids and submarines, sinking the RMS Lusitania, which carried civilians and ammunition. ○​ Propaganda painted the war as a moral struggle, reinforcing the idea of total war. ​ Total Control of Society & Global Impact: ○​ Governments increased control over economies and propaganda to maintain war support. ○​ Social divisions initially disappeared, but war weariness later led to unrest and revolutions (e.g., Russian Revolution). ○​ The war caused lasting environmental damage—deforestation, resource depletion, and toxic battlefields. ○​ The economic and social consequences of World War I contributed to a sense of disillusionment, especially among young people, later called the "Lost Generation." Name ____________________________________________ Russian Revolution ​ Background Causes of the Russian Revolution: ○​ Economic crisis: Russia suffered from food shortages, inflation, and a failing industrial economy. ○​ Social inequality: The peasantry and working class lived in poverty, while the nobility retained privileges. ○​ Political discontent: Tsar Nicholas II’s autocratic rule and resistance to reform led to widespread resentment. ○​ Military failures: Defeats in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) and heavy losses in World War I (1914-1918) weakened confidence in the government. ​ Key Events Leading to Revolution: ○​ 1905 Revolution: Workers' protests, including Bloody Sunday, forced the tsar to grant some limited reforms, but they were ineffective. ○​ February (March) 1917 Revolution: Tsar Nicholas II abdicated after mass protests and strikes in Petrograd. ○​ Provisional Government: A temporary government was formed but failed to withdraw from World War I or address economic problems. ○​ October (November) 1917 Bolshevik Revolution: Led by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks, the provisional government was overthrown, and the Soviet state was established. The Russian Revolution: Key Phases & Lenin’s Leadership The Russian Revolution of 1917 had two key phases: the February Revolution, which overthrew Tsar Nicholas II, and the October Revolution, which brought the Bolsheviks to power. The key causes of the revolution included: ​ Political Oppression: The Tsarist autocracy had long been unpopular, with many Russians dissatisfied with the lack of political freedom and harsh treatment. ​ Economic Hardship: Peasants suffered from poverty, while industrial workers faced poor working conditions, especially during the war. ​ World War I: Russia’s involvement in WWI was disastrous, with military defeats, heavy casualties, and economic disruption, further eroding support for the Tsar. Lenin’s leadership and promises of "Peace, Land, and Bread" resonated deeply with the Russian people: ​ Peace: Lenin promised to end Russia’s involvement in the war, which had drained resources and caused immense suffering. ​ Land: He advocated for land redistribution, which appealed to peasants who had long sought more land and better living conditions. ​ Bread: Amid food shortages, Lenin’s promise to address famine was crucial in gaining popular support. WWI accelerated the revolution by weakening the Tsarist regime and creating chaos that allowed revolutionary movements to flourish. ​ Role of Marxism and Leninism: ○​ Inspired by Karl Marx’s ideas on class struggle and socialism. ○​ Lenin adapted Marxism to Russian conditions, promoting the idea of a vanguard party to lead the revolution. ○​ The Bolsheviks promised “Peace, Land, and Bread” to gain mass support. ​ Impact on Government: ○​ End of the Russian monarchy and the establishment of the world’s first communist state. Name ____________________________________________ ○​ Civil War (1918-1921): Fought between the Bolshevik Red Army and the anti-Bolshevik White Army, with foreign intervention (Britain, France, Japan, and the U.S. supported the Whites). ○​ The Bolsheviks consolidated power under a one-party dictatorship. ​ Foreign Reactions to the Revolution: ○​ Western nations viewed the Bolsheviks as a threat and intervened in the Russian Civil War to try to stop communism. ○​ The revolution inspired socialist movements in Europe and beyond. ​ Economic and Social Changes: ○​ Lenin’s War Communism (1918-1921): The government took control of industries and food production but led to shortages and famine. ○​ New Economic Policy (NEP) (1921-1928): Lenin introduced limited capitalism to stabilize the economy. ○​ Industrialization and collectivization efforts were expanded under Joseph Stalin in the 1930s. ​ Impact on Religion and Culture: ○​ The Russian Orthodox Church lost its influence as the new Soviet government promoted atheism. ○​ Religious leaders were persecuted, and churches were seized by the state. ​ Long-Term Effects of the Russian Revolution: ○​ Creation of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1922. ○​ Communism spread to other nations, influencing revolutions in China, Cuba, and Vietnam. ○​ The Cold War (1947-1991) emerged as a global conflict between communist and capitalist nations. ○​ The revolution’s legacy remains debated: Some view it as a movement for social justice, while others see it as the beginning of oppressive Soviet rule. Russian Revolution: Failures, February Revolution, Bolsheviks, October Revolution ​ Pre-Revolutionary Russia and WWI Failures ○​ Tsar Nicholas II’s government was ineffective in directing the war effort. ○​ Russian soldiers faced extreme shortages of supplies (bullets, boots, food). ○​ Corrupt and outdated military leadership weakened Russia’s ability to fight. ○​ Local organizations (zemstvos) stepped in where the government failed, undermining confidence in the Tsar. ​ The February Revolution (March 1917 in Western Calendar) ○​ Women in Petrograd protested food shortages, sparking wider demonstrations. ○​ The army refused to fire on protesters, leading to the Tsar’s abdication. ○​ The Duma established a Provisional Government with a mix of political ideologies. ○​ Workers and soldiers revived soviets (councils), challenging the Provisional Government’s authority. ​ The Bolsheviks and Lenin’s Return ○​ Germany facilitated Lenin’s return to Russia, hoping to destabilize the country. ○​ Lenin’s slogan “Peace, Bread, Land” appealed to the war-weary and impoverished. ○​ Lenin and Trotsky used shifting strategies to gain support among workers and soldiers. ​ The October Revolution (November 1917 in Western Calendar) ○​ Bolsheviks seized power through a coup rather than a mass revolution. Name ____________________________________________ ○​ They dismantled the Provisional Government and took control of state institutions. ○​ Elections were held but quickly dismissed when the Bolsheviks failed to win a majority. ​ Civil War and Bolshevik Consolidation of Power ○​ A diverse group (monarchists, liberals, other socialists) opposed the Bolsheviks. ○​ The Bolsheviks renamed themselves Communists, distancing from other socialist factions. ○​ Moscow became the new capital due to the German threat to Petrograd. ○​ The Bolsheviks established the Communist International (Comintern) in 1919 to spread their ideology. Bolshevik Consolidation of Power After the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks faced significant challenges in consolidating power, including: ​ Opposition from the White Army: The White Army, a coalition of monarchists, liberals, and other anti-Bolshevik groups, fought to overthrow the Bolshevik government. ​ Civil War: The Russian Civil War (1917-1922) was brutal, with widespread fighting between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army. The Bolsheviks defeated their opposition through: ​ Strong Leadership: Lenin’s clear direction and Trotsky’s leadership of the Red Army were crucial in organizing the Bolshevik forces and defeating the more fragmented White Army. ​ War Communism: The Bolsheviks implemented policies like nationalizing industry, requisitioning grain from peasants, and centralizing the economy to support the war effort. ​ Red Terror: The Bolsheviks used harsh measures, including widespread executions and repression, to eliminate political opponents and maintain control. To stabilize Russia, the Bolsheviks introduced: ​ New Economic Policy (NEP): In 1921, Lenin introduced the NEP, which allowed for some private enterprise to rebuild the economy after the devastation of the war and civil conflict. ​ Centralized Control: The Soviet government continued consolidating power, creating a one-party state under the leadership of the Communist Party.