World War I: Military and Diplomacy - AP US History Study Guide
Introduction
Welcome, APUSH scholars! Ready to dive into World War I, where Europe basically had the world's worst family argument? 😱 Grab your trench coats and gas masks, because we're about to explore the military and diplomatic battles that shaped the early 20th century. 🪖✒️
Causes of World War I
World War I, which kicked off in Europe in 1914, was like a domino effect but with way more explosions. Here's a mnemonic to help you remember the main causes, using everyone's favorite acronym: M.A.N.I.A. 😃
Militarism: Countries were beefing up their armies like it was an arms-day buffet. Alliances: Everyone had BFFs, which meant that when one fight started, everyone jumped in. Nationalism: Each country thought they were the bee's knees and, spoiler alert, this did not end well. Imperialism: European countries were competing like a reality TV show, trying to take over as much land as possible. Assassination: A Serbian nationalist bumped off Austria-Hungary’s archduke Franz Ferdinand, which was the spark in the powder keg.
On the playground (aka Europe), the teams eventually shaped up like this:
- Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire.
- Allies: France, Great Britain, Russia (until 1917), USA (after 1917 – yep, plot twist ahead!)
Initial Neutrality to Entrance
Most Americans were like, "Nah, we're good here," when the war broke out, sticking to George Washington's sage advice to stay out of international drama. President Woodrow Wilson was the head peacekeeper, hoping to keep the US out of the fray. 🇺🇸🕊️
But neutrality started to fray due to a few key reasons:
- Loaning of Money: The US loaned $$$ (about $2.5 billion) to the Allies and only a fraction to the Central Powers. This created a bit of a financial and political love triangle.
- German U-Boats and the Sinking of the Lusitania: Germany started playing pirate with their submarines, U-Boats, and infamously sank the Lusitania in 1915, killing 123 Americans. Not cool, Germany, not cool.
- Zimmerman Telegram: The Germans sent a text (well, a telegram) proposing that Mexico invade the US to keep us busy. It got intercepted. Germany promised Mexico support to take back Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. This was the final straw.
Wilson, initially running on "He kept us out of war!", pivoted to "We need to save the world for democracy!" 🎖️🌍
Preparedness
Recognizing the US military was about as prepared for WWI as a cat is for deep-sea diving, Wilson pushed Congress for "preparedness" with the National Defense Act in 1916, ballooning the regular army to 175,000 and ordering more warships. It was like turning a Boy Scout camp into Boot Camp. 🪖
US in Combat
WWI was the first truly industrialized war, with an ensemble of new lethal inventions making the battlefield a nightmare: trenches, machine guns, poison gas, tanks, and airplanes. Imagine a video game on max difficulty but with real-world consequences.
The US finally entered the ring, drafting 9.5 million men via the Selective Service Act in 1917. General John K. "Blackjack" Pershing led the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) into action, scoring notable victories like Chatteau-Thierry and Belleau Wood.
The Germans were exhausted and courting defeat. Attempts to deal a knockout blow to the Allies failed, and the arrival of fresh American troops acted like a Red Bull shot for the Allies. Battles like Meuse-Argonne spooked Germany into signing an armistice that paved the way for peace treaties.
Fourteen Points
When the dust settled, Wilson hauled himself to France for peace negotiations, armed with his "Fourteen Points" plan. Picture Wilson as Captain Planet, but for world peace:
- Recognition of freedom of the seas.
- An end to secret treaties (no more sneaky alliances!).
- Self-determination for nationalities.
- Removal of trade barriers.
- Formation of a League of Nations to keep the peace (the OG United Nations).
Treaty of Versailles
Other leaders at Versailles wanted revenge and reparations from Germany. The Treaty of Versailles, remembered with the acronym BRAT:
- Blame: Germany accepted sole responsibility.
- Reparations: Germany paid a massive bill for war damages.
- Army: Germany's military was drastically reduced.
- Territory: Germany lost colonies and European territories.
This treaty was a ticking time bomb, more a setup for WWII than a genuine long-lasting peace.
Senate Debate on Treaty
The US Senate, not impressed with the League of Nations part of the treaty, especially Article X, threw shade, fearing it would pull the US into future wars without Congress's say-so. Wilson, stubborn as a mule, refused to compromise.
After a nationwide tour pitching the treaty, Wilson suffered a stroke and vanished from the public eye. His wife, Edith Wilson, might as well have changed her name to Edith "Acting President" Wilson during his recovery.
The treaty, unable to pass without concessions, failed. The US retreated back into isolationism like a turtle into its shell. 🐢
Conclusion
World War I reshaped the globe and ushered the US onto the world stage. It was a mix of high-stakes military drama and intense diplomatic negotiations that set the stage for modern international relations.
So, rev up your study engines 🚀 and channel your inner diplomat and soldier as you tackle the AP US History exam. With a grasp on the complexities of WWI, you're ready to conquer more than just this test—ready to wrestle with the world of history itself! Happy studying! 📚
