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Causes of world war 1 international relations

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WORLD WAR I

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CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

World War I occurred between July 1914 and November 11, 1918. By the end of the war, over 17 million people would be killed including over 100,000 American troops. The reason why war erupted is actually much more complicated than a simple list of causes. While there was a chain of events that directly led to the fighting, the actual root causes are much deeper and part of continued debate and discussion. This list is an overview of the most popular reasons that are cited as the root causes of World War 1.

1. Mutual Defense Alliances

Over time, countries throughout Europe made mutual defense agreements that would pull them into battle. These treaties meant that if one country was attacked, allied countries were bound to defend them. Before World War 1, the following alliances existed:  Russia and Serbia  Germany and Austria-Hungary  France and Russia  Britain and France and Belgium  Japan and Britain Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia got involved to defend Serbia. Germany seeing Russia mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war. Then Japan entered the war. Later, Italy and the United States would enter on the side of the allies.

2. Imperialism

Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth by bringing additional territories under their control. Before World War I, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention among the European countries. This was especially true because of the raw materials these areas could provide. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into WW I.

WORLD WAR I – SUMMARY OF EVENTS

THE START OF THE WAR

The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914) was the main catalyst for the start of the Great War (World War I). After the assassination, the following series of events took place:  July 28 - Austria declared war on Serbia.  August 1 – As Austria’s ally, Germany declares war on Russia, an ally of Serbia  August 3 – Germany declares war on France, an ally of Russia and immediately begins an invasion of neutral Belgium  August 4 – Great Britain, an ally of France, declares war against Germany  The United States (President Wilson) declares that the United States will remain neutral

THE WESTERN AND EASTERN FRONTS The first month of combat consisted of bold attacks and rapid troop movements on both fronts. In the west, Germany attacked first Belgium and then France. In the east, Russia attacked both Germany and Austria-Hungary. In the south, Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia. Following the Battle of the Marne (September 5–9, 1914), the western front became entrenched in central France and remained that way for the rest of the war. The fronts in the east also gradually locked into place.

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE Late in 1914, the Ottoman Empire was brought into the fray as well, after Germany tricked Russia into thinking that Turkey had attacked it. As a result, much of 1915 was dominated by Allied actions against the Ottomans in the Mediterranean. First, Britain and France launched a failed attack on the Dardanelles. This campaign was followed by the British invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Britain also launched a separate campaign against the Turks in Mesopotamia. Although the British had some successes in Mesopotamia, the Gallipoli campaign and the attacks on the Dardanelles resulted in British defeats.

####### TRENCH WARFARE

The middle part of the war, 1916 and 1917, was dominated by continued trench warfare in the east. Both sides had built a series of trenches that went from the North Sea and through Belgium and France. Soldiers fought from dug-in positions, striking at each other with machine guns , heavy artillery , and chemical weapons. The land between the two enemy trench lines was called “No Man’s Land.” This land was sometimes covered with barbed wire and land mines. The enemy trenches were generally around 50 to 250 yards apart. Though soldiers died by the millions in brutal conditions, neither side had any substantive success or gained any advantage.

REASONS FOR U. ENTRY INTO WORLD WAR I

The United States played a crucial role in the outcome of World War I and the subsequent peace treaty, however, the country tried very hard to stay neutral throughout most of the conflict which it saw as a European affair. By 1917, Woodrow Wilson's policy and public opinion changed in favor of the US entry into World War I for the following 5 reasons that are described below.

####### German Atrocities in Belgium

One factor that had a major influence on American public opinion was the invasion of neutral Belgium and stories of German atrocities in the country which shocked and outraged the Americans. Stories of unarmed civilians being killed and small towns being destroyed circulated throughout the press. Although some of the stories were British propaganda, they left a strong anti-German sentiment among Americans.

####### Economic Interests

The American businessmen were very interested in the Allied victory and many such as J. Morgan helped fund British and French war efforts with approximately $ billion in loans and bond purchases. If the Allies would be defeated by the Central Powers, they probably wouldn’t be able to repay their debt to their US lenders. Many businessmen therefore supported the so-called ‘Preparedness Movement’ which campaigned for the US intervention in the war on the side of the Allied forces.

####### Sinking of the Lusitania

In May 1915, a German U-boat sunk the British passenger ship Lusitania off the coast of Ireland. Over 1,000 passengers were killed, including 128 Americans. Although the ship may have been carrying military equipment along with the civilians, the Americans were infuriated because the people on board weren’t warned before the sinking. In addition to straining diplomatic relations between the US and Germany, the Sinking of the Lusitania further increased anti-German sentiment in America.

####### Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

In response to Britain’s blockade, Germany turned to unrestricted submarine warfare to keep goods from reaching Britain. After the Sinking of the Lusitania, Germany promised to stop unrestricted submarine warfare but within less than one year, they torpedoed another passenger ship - the cross-English Channel ferry Sussex. Again, the Germans promised not to attack passenger ships without warning (the Sussex Pledge). But that pledge was short lived as well.

####### Zimmermann Telegram

In 1917, German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to Mexico suggesting that if the US should declare war on Germany, Mexico should declare war on the US In return, Mexico would get back the territory lost in the Mexican-American War (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona). Unfortunately for Germany, the telegram was intercepted by the British and hurriedly given to the Americans. Although Mexico had no real intention of declaring war on the US, the publication of the letter further mobilized the American people against the Central Powers. History Lists · Events · 5 Reasons for the US Entry into World War I

April 22 – May 25 1915 The Second Battle of Ypres. Germans use poison gas and break a hole through the long line of allied trenches.

May 7, 1915 German U-Boat torpedoes the Lusitania

February 21, 1916 Germans begin Battle of Verdun

May 10, 1916 Germans suspend unrestricted submarine warfare

May 31, 1916 German and British navies clash in Battle of Jutland

June 24, 1916 The Battle of the Somme begins

September 15, 1916 British use tanks for the first time at Somme

November 7, 1916 Woodrow Wilson is reelected President of the United States

January 31, 1917 Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare

February 3, 1917 The U. severs diplomatic relations with Germany

March 1, 1917 The U. discovers the Zimmermann Telegram plot

April 2, 1917 President Wilson delivers his war message to Congress

April 6, 1917 The United States declares war on Germany

June 15, 1917 Congress enacts the Espionage Act

June 25, 1917 First American troops land in France

June 31 – November 10 1917 British launch Third Battle of Ypres against the Germans

October 21, 1917 James B. Gresham – Evansville, Indiana – First American combat soldiers killed

November 2, 1917 The Balfour Declaration is presented in London

November 7, 1917 Bolsheviks seize power in Russia

January 8, 1918 President Wilson outlines his Fourteen Points

March 3, 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is signed between Russia and Germany

May 28, 1918 Battle of Cantigny – Americans prevail

June 6, 1918 U. Marines launch attack at Belleau Wood

June 18 – August 5 1918 Allies launch Aisne-Marne offensive

September 12-16, 1918 Americans take offensive at St. Mihiel

September 26, 1918 First phase of the U. Meuse-Argonne offensive underway

October 6, 1918 Germany requests armistice – Allies refuse

November 11, 1918 Germany signs armistice

HOOSIER

STORIES

Indiana in World War One

BY CONNOR MCBRIDE Connor McBride is a graduate student of Public History at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and intern for the Indiana State Historic Records Advisory Board. He received his B. in history from Indiana State University in 2015. He can be reached at cjmcbrid@umail.iu.

Since there have been Hoosiers, there have been Hoosier willing to serve and sacrifice for their nation and its ideals. The state of Indiana is represented in every major United States war since the state’s founding and as of the twentieth century, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers had served their country proudly. By April of 1917, Indiana had demonstrated their willingness and capability to serve and following the United States’ declaration of war, Hoosiers were ready to step up and serve their nation.

Sgt. Alex L Arch of South Bend, soldier who pulled the lanyard to fire the first American shot of World War I

Indiana’s soldiers and civilians quickly mobilized for war. Organizations both public and private adapted to meet the demands of war. Many Indiana companies, such as the Studebaker Corporation, placed their factories “at the disposal of the government.” In the case of Studebaker, they converted half of their plant capacity to the production of military equipment including artillery and supply chassis and wagons. The Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Company offered $25,000 in funding for medical equipment to form Base Hospital 32, which would be comprised primarily of personnel from Indiana and would treat almost 9, patients in France throughout the war. Local newspapers and businesses encouraged the citizenry to purchase war bonds, to conserve supplies, and to otherwise support the war effort. Throughout the state, Hoosiers quickly got to work.

Enlisted Hoosiers went overseas with the first units to land on European soil. Among them, Sergeant Alex Arch of South Bend, Indiana was credited with having fired the first shot of the war for the United States, pulling the lanyard to fire the first American artillery shell towards German lines. As well as the first strike, the first blow was received by Indiana as well. The first three American casualties of the war included young Corporal James Gresham of Evansville, Indiana who died in hand to hand combat while repelling a German trench raid near Bathelemont in France. Hoosiers such as these cemented the state’s legacy as among the first to strike at the enemy and the first to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

As the first of the American Expeditionary Forces were arriving in France, the Indiana National Guard was quickly mobilizing. Units from the Indiana and Kentucky National Guards would form the 38th Division and the 84th “Lincoln” Division would be comprised of guard units from Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. In addition, the famed 150th artillery regiment, which had gained a fierce reputation in the Civil War under the command of Captain Eli Lilly, was selected as one of the handpicked units to make up the 42nd “Rainbow” Division. This division would see some of the most intense fighting of the war. The 150th Field Artillery, under the capable leadership of Colonel Robert Tyndall, would take part in six major engagements throughout the war. The first day of draft registration, June 05, 1917, passed without incident in Indiana. During that first period, over 260,000 Hoosiers came forward to register. Over 400,000 more had registered by the war’s end.

James B. Gresham (Aug. 23, 1893-Nov. 03, 1917)

Among the first American Doughboys to be sent to the front, James Gresham was a Hoosier who would be one of American soldiers to die in the First World War. He was an average American from humble beginnings whose life was consistently characterized by personal sacrifice: both at home in Evansville, where he chose working to support his family over continuing his education, and on the Western Front where he was among the first Americans in World War I to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country and its ideals. James Bethel Gresham was one the first of America’s fallen heroes in France whose actions throughout his life reflected a sense of duty and selflessness.

James Bethel Gresham was born to Alice Bethel Gresham (later Alice Dodd) and Green Gresham, on August 23, 1893 in Henderson, Kentucky. In September of 1901, the family moved a short 12 miles over the border to Evansville, Indiana. Here, James attended the Centennial School, which had been located between Indiana Street and Illinois Street. His education would not last very long however, as he ended his education not long after and began working in various factories to help support his family. On April 23, 1914, four months before his 21st birthday, James enlisted in the U. S. Army. After first being sent to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri, his unit was called to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas in June of 1914 to garrison and assist in patrolling the border with Mexico in response to the threat of paramilitary forces under the command Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Gresham would remain at Fort Bliss for the next three years. This changed on April 6, 1917, as the United States declared war on Germany and in June, James as a part of Company F, Second Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, would be called from Fort Bliss as a part of the American Expeditionary Forces in France under the command of Major General John J. Pershing.

Gresham’s unit would be among the first of America’s forces to land in Europe at the port of Saint Nazaire, France on June 26, 1917. A week later on the 4th of July, Gresham as a part of the Second Battalion of the 16th Infantry marched in a parade through Paris to help bolster the morale of France’s population who greeted the Americans with enthusiasm. From there they moved on to a training area in Gondrecourt in where they conducted training in modern trench warfare under the French 47th Regiment of Alpine Chasseurs, regarded by one soldier of Gresham’s company as “the best trained and most courageous soldiers in the French army.” Upon completing training in Gondrecourt, they moved on to Demange-aux-Eau, where they continued to drill formations. On the 29th of October, the Second Battalion of the 16th Infantry Regiment received orders to relieve the First Battalion who had been holding the trenches in order to familiarize themselves with the conditions of trench warfare on the Western Front. This sector was regarded by the French as a quiet sector and the First Battalion’s ten-day occupation of the trenches had not seen anything that would discredit such a claim. On the night of November 2nd, the second battalion entered the trenches one mile from the small village of Bathelemont, near Nancy. Corporal James Gresham commanded a firing squad of the First Platoon of Company F in a trench salient that was reported to be one of the closest to enemy forces, estimated by one witness as merely 500 yards away.

In the hours between two and three o’clock in the morning, German artillery began a barrage of artillery fire that gradually moved over Gresham’s trench, effectively cutting off the salient from their comrades. Under the cover of this barrage, German soldiers then began a raid of the trench with the intent to take as many supplies and prisoners as possible, a common tactic in the war that had been employed by both sides. Accounts of the fighting that took place vary, but all indicate that it was in extremely close-quarters, quickly

becoming hand to hand, and in nearly complete darkness. Some accounts also suggest that the American sentries, in their first engagement with German soldiers, confused the oncoming Germans for fellow Americans in the pitch dark of the night. After a period of short but extremely intense fighting, the German forces withdrew with their casualties, a great number of supplies, and 11 American prisoners. After the raid ended and the barrage was lifted, American forces found five soldiers wounded and three dead. Among them: James Gresham, who had been killed in hand to hand combat.

Five days later, the bodies of Gresham and his two fallen comrades were buried near the village of Bathelemont. The ceremony was attended by American and French soldiers with a French General reportedly speaking in praise of the bravery of the three soldiers and bidding them farewell. On this site, a monument would be erected by the French government in honor of these soldiers following the end of the war as well as another after World War II, as the original had been destroyed by German Forces in the 1940s. This monument remains there today, approximately 500 meters west of the village of Bathelemont. In July of 1921, Gresham’s body was returned to the United States at the request of his family and he was buried in Locust Hill Cemetery in Evansville, Indiana next to his brother and sister. In Evansville, markers and memorials would be placed in his honor, at the Evansville coliseum and at his home, to commemorate that it was one of their own who was among the first to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country and its ideals.

SOURCES

Heiman Kimmel Blatt, Sons of Men: Evansville’s War Record (Evansville, IN: Abe P. Madison, 1920), 75-76.
“Centennial School,” Historic Evansville, accessed Jan. 04, 2017,
historicevansville/site.php?id=centennial.
Whitney Todd, “James Bethel Gresham,” ExploreKYHistory, accessed Jan. 04, 2017, explorekyhistory.ky/items/show/622.
“World War I,” 16th Regiment Association, accessed Jan. 04, 2017, 16thinfassn/history/historical-images/world-war-i/.
“And Then the War Began,” Daily Reporter (Greenfield, IN), Jan. 19, 1922
“U. Troops Lose After Game Fight,” Indianapolis Star, Nov. 06, 1917, 1.
“France Lays Evansville’s Hero to Rest,” Evansville Press (Evansville, IN), Nov. 08, 1917, 1.
Whitney Todd, “James Bethel Gresham,” ExploreKYHistory.
“Body of James Bethel Gresham Buried in Evansville Cemetery,” Indianapolis News, Jul. 16, 1921, 12.

For his actions, Woodfill was awarded the Medal of Honor, presented to him by General John Pershing in Chaumont, France on February 09, 1919. In addition to this honor, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre with palm by the French Government and was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. He was also presented a Meriot di Guerra by the government of Italy and the Cross of Prince Danilo by Montenegro. With these awards he also received a promotion to Captain. Woodfill would see no further action during the war which would end one month later.

His term in the military would run out in 1919 but Woodfill would reenlist; however, upon reenlistment he would lose his rank of captain. There were local efforts to push Congress to allow Woodfill to retire with a rank of sergeant but on a Captain’s pension, however this would ultimately fail, as Woodfill had the opportunity to take the examination for captaincy but opted not to. After arriving home in Fort Thomas, Kentucky on November 26, 1921, he would find it difficult to make house payments on just a sergeant’s pay. In 1922, he received leave from the army to work on a dam on the Ohio River at Silver Grove Kentucky where he reportedly earned six dollars a day, roughly double his sergeant’s pay, in order to make payments on his home in Fort Thomas. Upon seeing a picture of Woodfill working on the dam, the Keith Theatre Interests in New York City gave $10,000 to pay off the mortgage on his home as well as pay up some life insurance for Woodfill, causing the sergeant to gratefully offer thanks to “those who made possible the freeing of our home from debt.”

Following his return home, Samuel Woodfill would spend a great deal of time in the spotlight, though it was often said that this was not an experienced which he very much enjoyed. Despite Woodfill’s aversion to the limelight, his fame would only grow as General Pershing recognized him as one of the most outstanding soldiers of the war and chose him to represent the infantry as pallbearer for the body of the Unknown Soldier buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1921. In addition, Woodfill would be honored around the country, receiving a standing ovation from the House of Representatives with a reception being held in his honor, as well as a meeting with President Warren G. Harding who upon praising Woodfill as an outstanding soldier commented that “when he shook hands with me he had the grip of a fighting man.” Throughout these events, Woodfill’s humility was repeatedly noted, declining to seek promotion to captaincy, feeling uncomfortable before crowds, and even expressing frustration when being called to Washington to receive honors, reportedly telling his wife he was tired of “being a circus pony,” lamenting how “every time there is something going on they trot me out to perform.” Later on, he would also meet and be photographed with President Calvin Coolidge. Locally, Woodfill was an even bigger hero with, in 1922 a school at Fort Thomas being named in his honor. Woodfill would be brought back into the spotlight repeatedly in the years to come despite reportedly wishing “I hope there won’t be any more written about Woodfill.”

In 1923, Woodfill would be discharged from the Army with full military honors and the rank of master sergeant. Two years later, Woodfill bought a farm of about 60 acres in Campbell County, Kentucky, reportedly with the hopes of making the land into a profitable orchard; however this would be unsuccessful. To keep his farm and deal with his now accumulated $2,000 debt, he began working as a watchman, starting in 1929, and would continue at that job until America’s entrance into World War II. In 1942 at the age of 59, Woodfill was commissioned a major in the United States

Army, serving as an instructor in Birmingham, Alabama training infantry during the war. When Woodfill left for Alabama in 1942, it would be the last time he would see his wife. She would die on March 26, 1942 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. When he once again resigned from the army, he chose not return to his empty home in Kentucky, instead chose to move back to Jefferson County, Indiana, where he had been born, and bought a small farm.

On August 13, 1951, Samuel Woodfill was found dead on his farm at the age of 68, reportedly having died of natural causes several days prior. He was initially buried at Hebron cemetery in Jefferson County near Madison. Four years later, his body was moved to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with honors, approximately 50 feet from the grave of General John Pershing. In addition, a memorial would be erected in his honor at Springdale Cemetery in Madison, Indiana.

SOURCES “Pershing Terms Hoosier ‘Outstanding’ War Hero,” Garrett Clipper (Garrett, IN), Nov. 07, 1921, p8. "United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database with images, FamilySearch (familysearch/ark:/61903/1:1:QKCH-Q16Q : 9 April 2016), Samuel Woodfill, 27 Apr 1942; citing NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.). William Herschel, “Sam Woodfill, Indiana’s Newest Hero. “Takes Holt an’ Never Lets Go”,” Indianapolis News , Nov. 19, 1921, p15. “Samuel Woodfill: Major, United States Army,” Arlington National Cemetery Website, accessed Jan. 04, 2017, arlingtoncemetery/woodfil.htm. “America’s Greatest Soldier Will Visit This City During Legion’s New Home Drive,” Portsmouth Daily Times (Portsmouth, OH), Nov. 04, 1924, p9. "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U. Army, 1798-1914," database with images, FamilySearch (familysearch/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD5-G13G : 24 May 2014), Samuel Woodfill, 07 Feb 1908; citing p. 283, volume 124, Fort Egbert, , Alaska, United States, NARA microfilm publication M233 (Washington D.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.), roll 64; FHL microfilm 1,465,950. "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (familysearch/ark:/61903/1:1:FW1Q-HRX : accessed 20 January 2017), Samuel Woodfill and Blossom Wiltshire, 26 Dec 1917; citing Fort Thomas, Campbell, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 1,913,170. “America’s Immortals,” Daily Republican (Rushville, IN), Mar. 26, 1919, p8. “World War I Medal of Honor Recipients: Woodfill, Samuel,” US Army Center of Military History , accessed Jan. 04, 2017, history.army/html/moh/worldwari.html#WOODFILL. “Pershing Picks American Super-Hero to Help Bear Unknown Soldier’s Body,” Palladium-Item (Richmond, IN), Nov. 03, 1921, p6. Ulric Bell, “Harding Greets Kentucky’s Hero,” Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), Nov. 05, 1921, p3. “Greatest Hero of War Returns,” Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), Nov. 27, 1921, p1. “Woodfill Goes to Work to Earn Money for Home,” Indianapolis News , Sep. 06, 1922, p7. “War Hero Returns to Mortgaged Home,” Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), Nov. 26, 1922, p58. “Pershing Terms Hoosier “Outstanding” War Hero,” Garrett Clipper (Garrett, IN), Nov. 07, 1921, p8. “Pershing Picks American Super-Hero to Help Bear Unknown Soldier’s Body,” Palladium-Item (Richmond, IN), Nov. 03, 1921, p6. “Indiana War Hero Gets an Ovation at Washington,” Garrett Clipper (Garrett, IN), Nov. 10, 1921, p Ulric Bell, “Harding Greets Kentucky’s Hero,” Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), Nov. 05, 1921, p3. “Honors Planned for Pershing’s Forgotten Hero,” New-York Tribune , Nov. 02, 1921, p13. “Woodfill with President Coolidge,” ExploreKYHistory , accessed January 04, 2017, explorekyhistory.ky/files/show/2473. “Samuel Woodfill: Major, United States Army,” Arlington National Cemetery Website. “Madison Plans Honors for World War I Vet,” Kokomo Tribune (Kokomo, IN), Jul. 20, 1955, p43. “Mustered Out,” Daily Republican (Rushville, IN), Dec. 28, 1923, p2. “Samuel Woodfill: Major, United States Army,” Arlington National Cemetery Website. “Woodfill Ordered Out for Active Army Duty,” Bradford Evening Star and The Bradford Daily Record (Bradford, PA), Jun. 17, 1942, p12. “Samuel Woodfill: Major, United States Army,” Arlington National Cemetery Website. “War Hero to be Given Honors,” Columbus Herald (Columbus, IN), Sep. 16, 1955, p2.

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