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Introduction
World War I was much more than a European conflict Australia and Japan, for example, entered the war on the Allies side, while India supplied troops to fight alongside their British rulers. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Turks and later Bulgaria allied themselves with Germany and the Central Powers. As the war promised to be a grim, drawnout affair, all the Great Powers looked for other allies around the globe to tip the balance. They also sought new war fronts on which to achieve victory.
Allies move to capture Ottoman Dardanelles strait in February 1915. Hope to defeat the Ottoman Empire, a Central Powers ally. Also want to open a supply line through region to Russia. Effort ends in costly Allied defeat.
Allies take control of German holdings in Asia and Africa. Britain and France use their colonial subjects to help in war effort
Germany seeks to control Atlantic Ocean to stop supplies to Britain. Germany uses unrestricted submarine warfare, and ship near Britain are sunk without warning. Germany halts this policy in 1915 after the sinking of the Lusitania angers the United States
RMS Lusitania arriving in New York on her maiden voyage arriving in New York in September 1907. Upon its sinking by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, 1,198 people died when the ship went down.
Germany renews unrestricted policy in 1917 in hopes to starve Britain quickly. Renewal of policy angers the United States. Zimmerman Telegrameffort to enlist Mexico in war against the United Statesangers the United States. The United States declares war against Germany in April 1917 joining the Allies.
World War I becomes a total warnations devote all resources to war. Governments take control of the economy to produce war goods. Nations turn to rationinglimiting purchases of war-related goods. Propagandaone sided information to build morale and support for the war.
At home, thousands of women fill jobs previously held by men. Many women also experience the war by working as nurses.
Russia Withdraws
Civil unrest in Russia forces Czar to step down from throne in 1917. Communists soon take control of Russias government. Russia signs a treaty with Germany in March 1918, pulls out of war.
With Russia gone, Germany moves most forces to Western Front Engage in major fighting; Allies force Germans to retreat. Allies win war; armisticeend of fightingsigned November 1918.
Pershing is nicknamed Black Jack because he commanded Buffalo Soldiers near the end of the wars with Native Americans, specifically fighting the Lakota (Sioux). Only person to hold the highest rank in the United States Army in his own lifetime General of the Armies. George Washington holds this rank posthumously.
Pershing insisted that the American Expeditionary Force fight as units under American command rather than being split up by battalions to augment British and French regiments and brigades.
Pershings Legacy
Pershing is often given credit for Allied victories. However, junior officers of the time like Douglas MacArthur (later commander of the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II) saw him as a desk general commanding far back from the lines. He controversially ordered his troops to continue fighting after the armistice was signed. This resulted in 3,500 U.S. casualties on the last day of the war, an act which was regarded as murder by several officers under his command.
Pershing oversaw the development of a new combat boot to prevent trench foot.
A High Price
War takes heavy toll; 8.5 million soldiers dead, 21 million wounded War devastates European economies, drains national treasuries. Many acres of land and homes, villages, towns destroyed. Survivors suffer disillusionment and despair; reflected in the arts.