1 / 13

1917: Turning Point of WW1

1917: Turning Point of WW1. CHC 2PO. Turning Point. Observable moment when there occurs a dramatic change in direction , --and change in character -- of events, so that the outcome is significantly altered. German announcement of “unrestricted U-boat” attack in the Atlantic

idania
Télécharger la présentation

1917: Turning Point of WW1

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 1917: Turning Point of WW1 CHC 2PO

  2. Turning Point • Observable moment when there occurs a dramatic change in direction, --and change in character -- of events, so that the outcome is significantly altered.

  3. German announcement of “unrestricted U-boat” attack in the Atlantic What does “unrestricted” mean? Threat posed to America now significant. Doubly so, since the sinking of the “Lusitania” One significant reason why America enters the war in 1917 1917: Event 1: “Unrestricted U-boat” attacks

  4. Telegram: electrical currents sent along expanse of wires—between continents– to communicate quick messages This meant: lining the floor of the Atlantic with telegram wires (yes, hard to believe) 1917: Event 2: Zimmerman Telegram

  5. In 1914, Britain “cuts” German’s cross Atlantic wires. • Interestingly, America allows Germany to use their cross Atlantic telegraph system. Why?

  6. America, until 1917, were “isolationist”= not interested in getting involved in Europe’s “petty wars”. Gesture to Germany a sign of neutrality. 1917: German foreign secretary sends message to German ambassador in Mexico Message: orchestrate a Mexican revolution against America, to help keep America out of war. 1917: Event 2: Zimmerman Telegram

  7. Message sent from Germany to Mexico---in coded form– using American cables! America didn’t pick up this message, but Britain did. How? Britain was monitoring (spying) all messages sent along American cables British espionage group: “Room 40”. Secret organization of nerdy mathematicians who deciphered German codes. 1917: Event 2: Zimmerman Telegram

  8. 1917: Event 2: Zimmerman Telegram • Britain’s dilemma? How to tell America about the Zimmerman telegram….. • ….without admitted they were spying on American telegrams? • Solution: Room 40 had ‘friends’ in America. • Send Americans the “decoder” • Then, resend the Zimmerman telegram and have Americans “discover” and “decode” the message… • Happily, this deception worked. America soon after declares war on Germany.

  9. 1917: Event 3-Communist Revolution • 1917, Russia in an economic and social crisis • People unhappy with leadership of the Czar • October 1917: Communist Revolution takes place, led by Vladamir Lenin • Key idea of communism: social and political equality, through the removal of competition and private industry • Communism: deeply anti-imperialist (therefore, morally against WW1) • 1917: Russia becomes “Soviet Union”. They exit the war.

  10. 1917? Key question • Why, therefore, is 1917 a turning point? • Is the Entente at an advantage, or not, after the events of 1917 take place?

More Related