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'''World War I''', also known as the '''First World War''' and '''The Great War''', was waged primarily in [[Europe]] from 1914 to 1918.  

'''World War I''', also known as the '''First World War''' and '''The Great War''', was waged primarily in [[Europe]] from 1914 to 1918, but spilled over into Africa, the Middle East, and the Atlantic Ocean.

On one side of the war were the [[Central Powers]]: [[Austria-Hungary]], [[Germany]], [[Bulgaria]], and the [[Ottoman Empire]].  The [[Allies]] consisted of the [[Britain|British]] and [[France|French Empires]], the Tsarist [[Russian Empire]](until 1917), [[Italy]], [[Japan]], [[Portugal]], and after 1917 the [[United States]].   

 

On one side of the war were the [[Central Powers]]: [[Austria-Hungary]], [[Germany]], [[Bulgaria]], and the [[Ottoman Empire]].  The major [[Allies]] consisted of the [[Britain|British]] and [[France|French Empires]], the Tsarist [[Russian Empire]](until 1917), [[Italy]], [[Japan]], and after 1917 the [[United States]].   

World War I saw the first use of [[poison gas]], large [[artillery]], armored [[tank|tanks]], and [[airplane]]s. It was a "total war" because the governments involved took control over the economy and factories, giving first priority to the goods needed for war. Wage and price controls were imposed, there was rationing of goods for civilians, and free speech was limited.  The governments put out [[propaganda]] to maximize support for the war and dislike of the enemy.  Many of the techniques of population manipulation and central government control which we see today were first pioneered by European powers during World War I.

World War I saw the first use of [[poison gas]], large [[artillery]], armored [[tank|tanks]], and [[airplane]]s. It was a "total war" because the governments involved took control over the economy and factories, giving first priority to the goods needed for war. Wage and price controls were imposed, there was rationing of goods for civilians, and free speech was limited.  The governments put out [[propaganda]] to maximize support for the war and dislike of the enemy.  Many of the techniques of population manipulation and central government control which we see today were first pioneered by European powers during World War I.

=== The United States Joins the War ===

=== The United States Joins the War ===

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For the first three years of World War I, the [[United States]] attempted to stay out of the war.  The United States had allies and [[citizens]] on both sides of the war, and the decision was not to move, but rather to stay neutral.  When the Germans used a [[U-boat]] to sink the ''[[Lusitania]]'' in 1915, killing over one thousand people, the Americans were outraged.  Later, when Britain implemented a [[naval]] blockade of Germany, the Germans announced they would sink any ship entering or leaving Britain. They held true to their word and sunk three ships from America with the U-boats. The Germans had taken ads out in most American newspapers, warning Americans that they travelled on British ships at their own risk. However, only the [[Des Moines]] Register ran the ads.<ref> Morgan, Hal.  ''More Rumor''. New York: Paradox Press, 1987. </ref>America now had many reasons to fight back, but she was still not ready to join the war.

For the first three years of World War I, the [[United States]] attempted to stay out of the war, but try to act as a mediator.  Mediation failed. When the Germans used a [[U-boat]] to sink the British ocean liner ''[[Lusitania]]'' in 1915, killing over one thousand civlians including some prominent Americans, the Americans were outraged.  Badly hurt by the British naval blockade of Germany, which cut off food supplies, the germans wanted to retailiate. In early 1917 they decided they could defeat Britain and France by cutting off all supplies. They could only do this by sinking merchant ships without warning, which violated international law and theur repeated promises to the U.S. Berlin knew it meant war with the U.S. but moved anyway. At the same time Berlin invited Mexico to form a military allaince and fight the U.S. Publication of the [[Zimmerman Telegram]] was a ''casus bellum" (cause of war). The Mexicans wisely ignored the proposal but American pubic opinion was outraged.

German U-boats  now began sinking American ships on sight.  On April 2, 1917, President [[Woodrow Wilson]] spoke in favor of declaring war on Germany in an address to the joint houses of Congress.  Congress then formally declared war on April 6, 1917, with opposition votes coming mostly from areas with large German ethnic populations.<ref>http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/usofficialawardeclaration.htm</ref>

 

German U-boats  now began sinking American ships on sight.  On April 2, 1917, President [[Woodrow Wilson]] spoke in favor of declaring war on Germany in an address to the joint houses of [[Congress]].  Congress then formally declared war on April 6, 1917.<ref>http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/usofficialawardeclaration.htm</ref>

The Army was expanded by a factor of 100 to 4 million soldiers (all men), and a major expeditionary force was sent to Europe called the [[American Expeditionary Forces]], under command of General [[John J. Pershing]].  Officially the U.S. did not join the Allies and there was no treaty or formal agreement with Britain or France, so Perhaps was practically independent.  He was also largely independent of Washington, and allowed to make his own strategic and command decisions.

The Army was expanded by a factor of 100 to 4 million soldiers (all men), and a major expeditionary force was sent to Europe called the [[American Expeditionary Forces]], under command of General [[John J. Pershing]].  Officially the U.S. did not join the Allies and there was no treaty or formal agreement with Britain or France, so Perhaps was practically independent.  He was also largely independent of Washington, and allowed to make his own strategic and command decisions.

=== Russia ===

=== Russia ===

In 1917 Russia suffered two successive internal Revolutions which would later caused it to withdraw from the side of the Allies and leave the war altogether. The [[February Revolution]] overthrew the centuries-old monarchy of the Tsar; the [[October Revolution]] installed the [[communist]] [[Bolshevik Party]] under [[V.I. Lenin]].  The lack of success against the German and Austrian Empires, and the hyperinflation caused by unsustainable military spending by the Russian government led to much internal discontent and economic chaos.

As the United States was entering the war on the side of the Allies, Russia suffered two successive internal Revolutions which would later caused it to withdraw from the side of the Allies and leave the war altogether. The [[February Revolution]] overthrew the centuries-old monarchy of the Tsar; the [[October Revolution]] installed the [[communist]] [[Bolshevik Party]] under [[V.I. Lenin]].  The lack of success against the German and Austrian Empires, and the hyperinflation caused by unsustainable military spending by the Russian government led to much internal discontent and economic chaos.

Losses and hardship of the war had weakened Russian [[Czar Nicholas II]].  He abdicated the throne in March 1917 in favor of a provisional government headed by [[Alexander Kerensky]].  Hopes for a democratic revolution still existed at this time.  But in October 1917, [[Vladimir Ilyich Lenin]], and the [[Communist Party]], which was never strong enough to challenge the Czar, overthrew the fledgling provisional government.  The Communists later executed every member of the Czar's family including the children.

Losses and hardship of the war had weakened Russian [[Czar Nicholas II]].  He abdicated the throne in March 1917 in favor of a provisional government headed by [[Alexander Kerensky]].  Hopes for a democratic revolution still existed at this time.  But in October 1917, [[Vladimir Ilyich Lenin]], and the [[Communist Party]], which was never strong enough to challenge the Czar, overthrew the fledgling provisional government.  The Communists later executed every member of the Czar's family including the children.