prep for IB History exam. Move to Global War. Authoritarian Regimes. European 20th Century.
| Front | Fourteen Points |
| Back | (January 8, 1918)Statement of principles for peace presented by US President Woodrow Wilson to the US Congress. Set out a blueprint for a just and lasting peace that would prevent future world wars by addressing what he saw as the root causes of the conflict. Address came almost a year after the United States entered WWI.Key principles:Can be grouped into two main categories: General principles for a peaceful world:Points 1-5: Outlined general principles for international relations:Open diplomacy (no secret treaties)Freedom of navigation,Free trade,Arms reductionImpartial resolution of colonial disputes, considering the interests of the affected populations. Specific territorial adjustments:Points 6-13: Addressed specific territorial issues in Europe and the Ottoman Empire.Evacuation and self-determination for RussiaRestoration of Belgian and French sovereignty (with Alsace-Lorraine returned to France)Adjustment of Italy's borders based on nationalityAutonomous development for the peoples of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman EmpireEvacuation of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro with Serbian access to the seaCreation of an independent Poland with sea access. The League of Nations:Point 14: Establishment of a general association of nations to guarantee the political independence and territorial integrity of all states.Outcome:Influenced the armistice with Germany in November 1918. However, the Allied powers largely rejected these principles at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, opting for a more punitive approach in the Treaty of Versailles. US Senate did not ratify the treaty or join the League of Nations, fearing foreign entanglements. |
| Front | Il Popolo d'Italia - (The People of Italy) |
| Back | Newspaper founded by Mussolini in 1914. Began as a pro-war publication supporting Italy's intervention in WWI and later became the main propaganda organ of the Fascist movement. It was published in Milan until Mussolini's arrest in July 1943.The transformation of a newspaper:From socialist to nationalist: Mussolini was a prominent socialist journalist and editor of the Italian Socialist Party's newspaper, Avanti!. Expelled from the party for advocating for Italy's entry into WWI. In response, he founded Il Popolo d'Italia to promote his nationalist and interventionist views.Voice for fascism: After WWI, newspaper became the mouthpiece for the nascent Fascist movement, which Mussolini founded in 1919. Served to unify the various autonomous fascist groups across Italy and attract new political allies and financial backers.Consolidating power: Once Mussolini became PM in 1922, he appointed his brother, Arnaldo Mussolini, to direct the paper. Formally an independent entity, the paper consistently received state and party funds. Indispensable tool for promoting the Fascist party line.Final edition: Ceased publication on July 24, 1943, the day after Mussolini was overthrown and arrested. The newspaper's role:War propaganda: During WWI, paper was instrumental in advocating for Italy's intervention and promoting a militaristic, nationalist agenda.Fascist ideology: Under the Fascist regime, official voice of fascism, broadcasting Mussolini's speeches, publishing fascist propaganda, and attacking political opponents.Capitalizing on discontent: Effectively capitalized on post-WWI chaos and nationalist discontent to build support for the Fascist party, attracting disillusioned veterans and capitalizing on a period of intense political instability. |
| Front | Zimmerman Telegram |
| Back | (January 1917)Secret diplomatic communication issued from the German Foreign Office in January 1917. Proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico if the US entered WWI against Germany. Content of the telegram:Sent by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to the German minister in Mexico. Coded telegram outlined the following proposal: Germany would provide "generous financial support" to Mexico.Mexico would wage war against the United States to reclaim the lost territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.Suggested that Mexico should attempt to persuade Japan to join the alliance against the US Interception and decryption:British Intelligence: Intercepted and decoded by British naval intelligence, in an operation code-named "Room 40". Britain had been intercepting German diplomatic cables routed through neutral countries.Proof of authenticity: To prove the telegram's authenticity to US without revealing their codebreaking success, Britain secured a copy from a commercial telegraph office in Mexico City.Timing of the reveal: Waited until February 1917 to present the telegram to the United States. Strategic decision - Germany had just announced a return to unrestricted submarine warfare, an act that was already pushing the U.S. toward war. Impact on US entry into WWI:Publication of the telegram played a significant role in changing American public opinion and pushing the US toward war: Public outrage: (1 March 1917) published in the American press. Caused widespread public outrage. Idea of Germany actively plotting against US on its own soil, coupled with the threat of unrestricted submarine warfare, galvanized support for the war.German confirmation: Any lingering doubts about authenticity were put to rest when Zimmermann admitted to sending the message in a speech to the Reichstag on March 29, 1917.Final push to war: Policy of unrestricted submarine warfare was a primary driver for US entry, telegram served as the final catalyst that convinced many skeptics and provided a clear justification for entering the war.Official declaration: Wilson asked Congress to declare war on April 2, 1917. US officially entered World War I on April 6, 1917. |