World War I

Sample Lesson - Introduction

Lesson 1.05: 1917, the Year of Living Dangerously

Nothing like a communist revolution to shake things up.
(Source)

We know, we know—every year of the war counted as living dangerously, especially for the soldiers and sailors who had to fight it.

However, 1917 was special. Two major events happened that would shift the entire course of the war: the United States joined the Allies, and Russia dropped out.

The United States had remained neutral up until that point, even after the Lusitania had been torpedoed. American politicians didn't want to get their hands dirty with a European struggle—that is, until Germany tried to make a deal with Mexico.

Not cool, Germany. Not cool.

Meanwhile in Russia, people had turned against the war and the tsarist monarchy that was leading it. That led to the Bolsheviks, a communist group led by Vladmir Lenin, rising to power and usurping the government. Their first order of business? Backing out of the unpopular war.

It all just goes to show that you can't take anything for granted, not even three years into World War I.

Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.05a: The United States Opts In

In case you were wondering, the United States was involved in World War I. We know we haven't name-dropped 'Murica much so far, and there's a reason for that.

Before 1917, Americans were content to let the European powers destroy themselves. They didn't want to risk American lives and resources to intervene in the conflict. This attitude is called isolationism. Isolationists believe that staying out of foreign affairs is the best way to protect your country's interests.

George Washington had warned against "foreign entanglements" in his Farewell Address, which American politicians were holding onto fast. There was also pro-German sentiment in many parts of the countries, especially among German immigrant communities in the Midwest. President Woodrow Wilson even won reelection in 1916 with the campaign slogan "He kept us out of war."

While the United States was technically neutral, it was the only major industrial power from which the Europeans could buy weapons and food supplies. The British blockade on German and Austrian ports, which had started in August 1914, meant that only France and Britain were actually buying American products: ships, foodstuffs, guns, bullets, uniforms, and everything else you can think of.

This brought the United States closer and closer to the Allies, even though the U.S. wasn't officially taking any sides.

The U-boat attack on the Lusitania in 1915—and the deaths of 128 innocent American passengers—outraged the public. However, President Wilson and Congress still hesitated. They weren't prepared to commit to a costly, years-long foreign war.

That is, until the Zimmermann Telegram.

The Mexico Connection

In January 1917, British intelligence intercepted a telegram from German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt. The secret telegram advised von Eckhardt to forge an alliance with Mexico.

The Germans promised huge financial and military support to Mexico. They also assured that Mexico would recover its "Lost Territories" in the American Southwest once the war was over. The Mexican government declined the offer, but not before the British leaked the telegram to the United States.

It had an unbelievable effect on American public opinion. Since Mexico borders the United States, Americans worried that Germany was about to bring the war to their doorsteps. Anti-German sentiment went through the roof.

Then, on February 1, 1917, Germany announced that it would resume unrestricted submarine warfare against ships from all nations in European waters. The German leadership hoped to knock Great Britain out of the war by cutting off its supply. And since Britain and France were a major source of trade, the U.S. had no choice but to join the war.

On April 2, 1917, President Wilson went before Congress and asked for a declaration of war in order to "make the world safe for democracy." Four days later, America was at war, albeit as an "Associated" and not Allied power.

By and large, Americans rallied around their president and supported the war effort. Men enlisted by the thousands, and Wilson enacted the Selective Service Act—the national draft—in May 1917.

This was welcome news for the European Allies. Britain and France had been suffering steep casualty rates and were worn down after two and a half years of fighting. The rush of American troops and supplies was the perfect stopgap.

Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.05b: Russia Opts Out

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, things weren't going so smoothly. In Russia, the Romanov dynasty was on its last legs. The royal family had ruled Russia since the early 1700s, but ordinary people were fed up with the years of mismanagement, wasteful spending, and status quo.

World War I was the last straw. While the Russian army was enormous, it wasn't as well-equipped or well-trained as the German army. Millions had died on the war front. Back home, there wasn't enough food to feed the civilian population; in February 1917, bread riots erupted in the capital of Petrograd.

Enter: Vladmir Lenin and the Bolshevik Revolution.

A communist party, the Bolsheviks believed that the system was corrupt and exploitative. They pointed to the life of luxury led by Tsar Nicholas II and his family, compared to the poverty of the working class. It was the perfect storm: a discontent population, a devastating war, and a political party that promised a society without class differences.

Ultimately, the Bolsheviks seized power, forced the tsar to abdicate, and took control of the government. The February Revolution of 1917 would have major consequences for World War I.

Russia Exits, Stage Left

The government takeover was a popular revolution—Russians were all in for Lenin's policy of "bread, land, and peace."

They weren't the only ones. Lenin's rhetoric caught the attention of the German High Command, especially the peace part. Germany actually helped Lenin return from exile in Switzerland to Russia…and their investment paid off.

After the Bolsheviks seized power, Lenin immediately brokered an armistice with Germany, which is exactly what the Germans wanted. In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 3, 1918), the new Soviet government officially dropped out of World War I.

With Russia out of the war, Germany didn't have to worry about fighting on two fronts. It could now concentrate on the Western Front, the decisive theater of the war. All the players were now on the stage, and World War I was hurtling toward its conclusion in 1918.

Sample Lesson - Activity

Activity 1.05a: Revisionist History

If you thought World War I was winding down, you'd be wrong. Like a competitive eater after their fortieth hot dog, it got a second wind. Specifically, the United States entered the war in 1917, while Russia exited in 1918.

Consider what would've happened if those events hadn't happened. No, really.

In a speculative fan-fic, we want you to write a short essay that explains how World War I would've been different if Russia had stayed in the war and the U.S. had remained neutral. You'll want to consider questions like

• Would the Allies still have won the war?
• How would this have affected each of the countries already in the war?
• How would this have affected the German military strategy?

Aside from predicting the outcome, make sure you're backing up your revisionist history with historical facts and details. In other words, don't just tell us that "Germany would win the war." Be specific and explain; for example, "Germany would win the war because unrestricted submarine warfare would successfully cut off supplies to Great Britain."

Your short essay should be a few paragraphs long and 200 – 300 words. We recommend starting with an outline or chart that lays out the potential outcomes. For instance,

Still not sure where to start? Here's an example of how we'd start our work:

If Russia had stayed in the war and the United Stated had stayed out, the world may have looked very different today. The Allies were already at their breaking point, exhausted after 2.5 years of trench warfare. Without American intervention, Britain may not have had the supplies and manpower to continue fighting.

When you're done, upload your short essay below.

Sample Lesson - Activity