Section 13-3

A Global Conflict

War Affects the WorldThe Gallipoli Campaign

Allies move to capture the Ottoman Dardanelle strait in Feb 1915The hoped to defeat the Ottoman Empire, (a Central Powers ally)They also want to open the supply line through the region to RussiaThe effort ends in costly loses for the Allies

America Joins the FightGermany seeks to control the Atlantic Ocean to stop supplies to BritainUse unrestricted submarine warfare – any ships near Britain sunk w/o warningThey halted the policy in 1915 after the sinking of the Lusitania (a British passenger liner w/ Am. on it) Renews policy in 1917 to starve Brit. Out of the war quickEnlists Mexico with the Zimmerman Note to attack the US to keep them out of the warUS declares war on Germany after intercepting the note & joins the allies

War Affects the Home Front

Governments Wage Total WarWWI becomes a total war – nations devote all of their resources to the warGov’t take control of economy to produce war goodsNations turn to rationing-limiting purchases of war related goodsPropaganda – one sided information to build morale & support of war

Women and the WarAt home thousands of women fill jobs previously held by menMany women also experienced the war by working as nurses in the military

The Allies Win the WarRussia Withdraws

Civil unrest in Russia forces the czar to step down from the throne in 1917Communists soon take control of Russia’s government Russia signs a treaty w/ Germany in March 1918 & pulls out of the war (treaty of Brest-Litovsk)

The Central Powers Collapse

With Russia gone, Germany moves most of its forces to the Western FrontHeavy fighting takes place, b/ the Allies force the Germans backAllies win the warAn Armistice - end of fighting, it was signed in 1918

Legacy of the WarWar takes a heavy toll, 8.5 million soldiers are dead, 21 million are woundedWWI devastates the European economy & drains the national treasuriesMany acres of land & homes were destroyedSurvivors suffer despair & disillusionment, this was reflected in art