Winning the War
What is the concept of total war?
Total war is the channeling of a nation's entire resources into the war effort, involving the government in the economic and cultural lives of its people.
What is contraband in the context of war?
Contraband refers to military supplies and raw materials that are prohibited from being imported or exported during wartime.
Who was George M. Cohan?
George M. Cohan was an American songwriter and playwright known for his patriotic songs, including "Over There."
What were the main terms imposed on Germany?
Germany was required to accept full blame for the war, pay reparations, and face military restrictions.
What were the causes of the March Revolution?
The March Revolution was provoked by military defeats, economic hardship, and public discontent with Tsar Nicholas II's leadership.
What were the main economic controls during the war?
Governments raised taxes, borrowed money, rationed food, and imposed price controls to support the war effort.
What was the Lusitania, and why was it significant?
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915, leading to the deaths of 1,200 passengers, including 128 Americans, and influencing public opinion against Germany.
Who was Edith Cavell and why was she notable?
Edith Cavell was an English nurse who helped Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium and was executed for her actions, becoming a martyr for the Allied cause.
Why was the Treaty of Versailles controversial?
The Treaty was seen as too harsh and punitive towards Germany, leading to economic hardship and political instability.
How did Lenin's early life shape his political ideas?
Lenin's experiences, including the execution of his brother and his education, fueled his revolutionary ideas against oppression.
What impact did American troops have in 1918?
The arrival of fresh American troops helped turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies.
What restrictions did Britain impose during the blockade?
Britain enforced a blockade to prevent supplies, including food and military materials, from reaching Germany.
What role did Woodrow Wilson play in the war?
Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States during World War I and advocated for peace through his Fourteen Points.
How did the Treaty impact Germany's economy?
The reparations and economic restrictions imposed by the Treaty severely crippled Germany's economy, contributing to hyperinflation.
What was "war communism"?
"War communism" was a policy implemented by the Bolsheviks that involved the nationalization of industries and forced requisitioning of agricultural products.
Describe the role of women in the war effort.
Women took over jobs in industries, joined the armed forces, and worked in agriculture to support the war effort.
How did propaganda influence public opinion?
Governments used propaganda to motivate military mobilization and control public perception by censoring unfavorable news and promoting nationalistic sentiments.
Who were the "Big Three" at the Paris Peace Conference?
The "Big Three" were Woodrow Wilson (U.S. President), David Lloyd George (British Prime Minister), and Georges Clemenceau (French Prime Minister).
How did the Treaty affect the political landscape in Europe?
The Treaty redrew national boundaries, created new nations, and left many ethnic groups dissatisfied, leading to future conflicts.
How did the Red Army defeat the White Army?
The Red Army used strategic advantages, effective leadership, and harsh discipline to defeat the fragmented White forces during the Civil War.
Why did Germany ask for an armistice in 1918?
Germany recognized that the war could not be won as American troops were arriving in large numbers, and internal unrest was growing.
What were the consequences of unrestricted submarine warfare?
Unrestricted submarine warfare led to the sinking of neutral ships and escalated tensions, ultimately contributing to the U.S. entering the war.
What were Wilson's Fourteen Points?
The Fourteen Points were a set of principles outlined by President Wilson for peace negotiations to end World War I, emphasizing self-determination and the establishment of a League of Nations.
What was self-determination, and why was it significant?
Self-determination is the principle that nations have the right to choose their own government, which was significant in reshaping Europe post-war.
What were the main differences between Lenin's government and pure communism?
Lenin's government involved state control over the economy and a single-party system, contrasting with the idea of a classless society and democratic governance envisioned in pure communism.