World War I

Handout Nine

Topic: Lafayette, We are Here

 OUTLINE:

 IX. Lafayette, We Are Here: The Yanks Arrive.

A. The World Situation.

B. The Situation in Mexico.

C. Changes in German Battlefield Tactics.

D. Mobilization.

E. U-Boats and Troop Transfers to Europe.

F. American Operations in Europe.

 QUESTIONS:

1. What was the military and political situation in Europe on the eve of the U.S. entry into the war?
2. What role did the Germans play in bringing Lenin back to Russia? What was Berlin’s objective? Did they succeed?
3. What was the Pless Conference? What was the rationale for the Germans to return to unrestricted submarine warfare in early 1917? What did the Germans believe could happen? Explain.
4. Why did the United States become involved in Mexico during the Wilson administration? What was Wilson’s objective? How effective was Wilson in bringing democracy to Mexico?
5. How did the Germans alter their military doctrine in 1917? How did it work? Why did the Germans ultimately fail? Explain.
6. The U.S. Army was not ready for war in 1914. What changes did the War Department introduce to improve the U.S. Army? How effective was the preparedness program?

 TERMS:

 Nicholas II                March/November Revolution               V.I. Lenin

Pless Conference      Frederick Funston                                 John J. Pershing

Porfirio Diaz            Madero                                                  Carranza

Pancho Villa              Veracruz/Tampico Incidents                 Huerta

Oscar von Hutier      Hutier Tactics                                       Grenville Clark

ROTC                       Selective Service                                 William S. Sims

Billy Mitchell             Square Division