World War I: Russia's Withdrawal, U.S. Entry, and Key Terms

Russia's Withdrawal from World War I

In March 1917, civil unrest in Russia, largely due to war-related shortages of food and fuel, forced Czar Nicholas II to abdicate. In his place, a provisional government was established. The new government pledged to continue fighting the war. However, by 1917, nearly 5.5 million Russian soldiers had been wounded, killed, or taken prisoner. As a result, the war-weary Russian army refused to fight any longer.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

In November 1917, Communist leader Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) seized power. Lenin insisted on ending his country's involvement in the war. One of his first acts was to offer Germany a truce. In March 1918, Germany and Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended the war between them.

Key Events and Concepts of WWI

Who Were the Bolsheviks?

They were the Russian communists who were members of a majority faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party.

Factors for U.S. Entry into the War

Several factors prompted the United States to join the war on the side of the Allies. The U.S. already had strong relations with the Allies, and Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare repeatedly resulted in the sinking of U.S. ships.

How Nations Fought a Total War

The governments of the warring nations fought a total war by dedicating all their resources to the war effort. For example, women took over jobs and ran factories, producing essential war supplies.

Western vs. Eastern Fronts

The war on the Western and Eastern Fronts was different, yet also the same in the scale of conflict. The Eastern Front was a more mobile war with more substantial land gains. The Western Front was characterized by trench warfare, where armies fought over small pieces of land, leading to a prolonged stalemate.

Russia's Wartime Difficulties

Russia's war difficulties were contributed by its lack of industrial modernization and the immense challenges of navigating and supplying troops across its vast terrain.

Key Figures and Terms of World War I

Woodrow Wilson

He was the President of the United States during World War I.

Georges Clemenceau

He was the French Premier, determined to regain Alsace-Lorraine from Germany, weaken the German army, and use German financial resources to rebuild the French economy.

David Lloyd George

He was the British Prime Minister who hoped to weaken German industrial output, eliminate most of the German navy, and force Germany to pay for post-war rebuilding.

The "Big Three"

This term refers to the leaders of the primary Allied nations at the Versailles Peace Conference: Woodrow Wilson (United States), David Lloyd George (Great Britain), and Georges Clemenceau (France).

Treaty of Versailles

This is the term for the peace treaty, known for the harsh conditions applied to Germany after the war.

League of Nations

This was an international organization created to provide a forum for nations to try and solve international disagreements peacefully.

Stalemate

This term describes an even fight where neither side seems to be able to win or gain an advantage.

Neutrality

This is the refusal to take sides in a disagreement or conflict.