Dear Family,
Times are hard. I have been shot at numerous times and I can not go a day without being in some sort of danger. I have been brought to the brink of death, but the thought of coming home to you saved me. It is so difficult being an ambulance driver over here. There is so much death and so many days where I feel as though we may win the war. I have records of countless deaths and horrific scenes that will be burrowed into my memory forever. The piles of bodies and constant death have all but become a haze. I do not wish for you to fear for me, however because I am strong and will make it through this war against Germany and the Central Powers. As long as I have my thoughts of you and the kids I will never give up hope.
How are the kids doing in school? I hope that they are keeping up on their studies and maintaining a good attitude with you. I really wish that I could see them. Not a day goes by that I don't think about all of you. I also hope to keep up on my writings and to send more letters so that you don't have to wonder about me as often. I hope Johnny finally got his bicycle fixed and was able to ride around town like he wanted.
As for you and you alone, I love you. I wish that I could leave here and be with you and never worry about another war. We could have picnics along the creek back at home and not have a care in the world. I hope to make all of these fantasies true for us one day. Write back to me of what you want to do. I am ever so curious.
Lastly, there is something I want you to do, Mary. I may not make it back from this war and just incase I don't I want you to have something of mine. I left a shoebox under our bed with a memento of myself for all of you. In that box you will find money that I have saved since I was a boy (this is for you and the kids to stay afloat). You will also find my favorite picture of us in the meadow from five years ago. That is for you. For Johnny my best pocket knife is also inside the box. Make sure he is old enough to understand and use it properly before you give it to him. Lastly, for Susie, I left my grandmother's broach. It was her favorite and she always wore it. Make sure she treats it well.
I'm sorry but I must wrap this letter up. Our Sargent is telling us that we need to get some shut eye because tomorrow is a big day.
I love you honey, and I love you both Johnny and Susie, make sure you write back soon.
Signed,
Tanner Nielsen
Friday, January 17, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
WWI Causes
The main causes of World War I
The main causes of world war I were:
1. Nationalism- This was the support of one nation, being loyal to your country.
2. Alliance System- It is the formal support to help countries in case of danger, or worst of all, war.
3. Imperialism- The building power of taking over another colonies. Countries were arguing over colonies, this caused war.
4. Militarism- Its the preparation for war. At the time, britain had the strongest navy and germany was trying to expand their own army. This established strong preparation for the war.
The assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand officially sparked the start of world war I. However, that wasn't the only reason. It was really caused between a contest against Europe and a group of alliances. The killing of the archduke led to Austria-Hugary to invade Serbia, where the assassination took place at. This caused Russia to come to Serbia, to aid them. Germany then declared war on russia to back up Austria-Hungary. France then declared war on Austria-Hungary and Germany to back up its ally, Russia. England then, declared war to back up its allies, France and Russia. Later the U.S. joined the whole cluster, creating World War I.
Zimmermann Note- 1917
Sussex pledge- 1916
Unrestricted sub warfare- 1915
Luistania- 1904
Luistania- 1904
SO.....
1. Luistania- Luistania was a British Ocean liner, holder of the Blue Riband and briefly the worlds biggest ship. She was launched by the Cunard Line in 1907, at a time of time of fierce competition for the North Atlantic Trade.
2.Unrestricted Sub Warare- Unrestricted sub warfare is a type of naval warfare which submarines sink vessels such as freighters and tankers without warning, as opposed to attack per prize rules.
3. Sussex Pledge- The Sussex Pledge was a promise made in 1916 during World War 1 by Germany to the United States prior to the entry into the war.
4. Zimmermann Note- The Zimmermann Note was a 1917 diplomatic proposal from the German Empire for Mexico to join the Central Powers, in the event of the United States entering World War 1 on the side of the Entente Powers.
Sources:
WWI Causes
WWI Causes
The first main causes of WWI were militarism, alliance system, imperialism, and nationalism. Militarism is the belief in building up a strong armed forces to prepare your country for war. Countries in Europe as well as Russia were building up their armies preparing for a war that was about to begin. Allowing them to fight well in the war. Alliance System was created when countries agreed to support one another in case of an attack. 2 alliances would emerge: Triple Entente [France, Britain, and Russia (US would eventually join)] (good) and Triple Alliance [Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy] (bad). These alliances together created a huge force that allowed for much more massive attacks on objectives. Imperialism, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia all scrambled for colonies in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Each nation wanted new trade markets and the raw materials of these new regions. Nationalism which is pride or devotion to one's country. Nationalism encouraged unity, and also would put nation against nation. Linking it to the war.
The spark of WWI was the assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. The assassination occurred on June 28, 1914 while Ferdinand was visiting the city of Sarajevo in the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Austria wanted to start a war but first made sure Germany was at their back. Which Germany was, allowing Austria-Hungary to spark WWI.
Unrestricted Submarine warfare in WWI was started in 1915 by Germany when they used U-Boats to sink the Lusitania on May 7, 1915. It went on for three years against Britain and its allies. This was also ultimately one of the main reasons the United States joined the war.
The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner, holder of the Blue Riband for briefly being the world's largest ship. In 1915 it was sunk by a German U-Boat (U20), causing the death of 1,198 passengers and crew. Again, ultimately one of the reasons the United States joined the war.
The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner, holder of the Blue Riband for briefly being the world's largest ship. In 1915 it was sunk by a German U-Boat (U20), causing the death of 1,198 passengers and crew. Again, ultimately one of the reasons the United States joined the war.
The Sussex pledge was a plea from Germany to the United States in 1916 during World War I. Early in 1916, Germany had instituted a policy known as unrestricted submarine warfare allowing armed merchant ships – but not passenger ships – to be torpedoed without warning. Despite this restriction, a French cross-channel passenger ferry, the Sussex, was torpedoed without warning on March 24, 1916; the ship was severely damaged and about 50 lives were lost. Although no U.S. citizens were killed in this attack, it prompted President Wilson to declare that if Germany were to continue this practice, the United States would break diplomatic relations with Germany. Fearing the entry of the United States into World War I, Germany attempted to appease the United States by issuing, on May 4, 1916, the Sussex Pledge, which promised a change in Germany’s naval warfare policy. The primary elements of this pledge were:
- Passenger ships would not be targeted;
- Merchant ships would not be sunk until the presence of weapons had been established, if necessary by a search of the ship;
- Merchant ships would not be sunk without provision for the safety of passengers and crew.
The Zimmermann Telegram was a 1917 diplomatic proposal from the German Empire for Mexico to join the Central Powers, in the event of the United States entering World War I. The proposal was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence. The contents outraged American public opinion and helped generate support for the United States to declare war on Germany in April of that year. Zimmermann sent the telegram in anticipation of the resumption by Germany on 1 February, an act which Germany predicted would draw the neutral U.S. into war on the side of the Allies The telegram instructed Ambassador Eckardt that if the U.S. appeared likely to enter the war, he was to approach the Mexican Government with a proposal for military alliance, with funding from Germany. Mexico was promised territories in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona that had been lost to the United States starting in 1836 as parts of the former Republic of Texas. Eckardt was also instructed to urge Mexico to help broker an alliance between Germany and the Japanese Empire. Mexico, unable to match the U.S. military, ignored the proposal and (after the U.S. entered the war), officially rejected it.
Sources:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Alvin York
Alvin York
By: Parker Tugaw
Alvin Cullum York, known also by his rank, Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated American soldiers in World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, taking 32 machine guns, killing 28 German soldiers, and capturing 132 others. York was drafted into the United States Army and served in Company G, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division at Camp Gordon, Georgia. On October 8th, 1918, York's actions earned him the medal of honor for capturing german positions. York was promptly promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism.
York refused many offers to profit from his fame, including thousands of dollars offered for appearances, newspaper articles, and movie rights to his life story. Companies wanted him to appear in advertisements or to pose with their products. Instead he lent his name to various charitable and civic causes. More celebrations followed the wedding, including a week-long trip to Nashville where York accepted a special medal awarded by the state. However, the Nashville Rotary organized a farm purchase by public subscription of a 400-acre (1.6 km2) farm, the one gift that York accepted. It proved not to be the fully equipped farm he was promised, and he had to borrow money to stock it. He subsequently lost money in the farming depression that followed the war. Then the Rotary, which was purchasing the property in installments, failed to make the payments, leaving York to pay himself. Plus, leaving him with very little money after the war.
Source:
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_C._York#World_War_I
Tanner Nielsen
Mr. Smith
US History P2
8 January, 2014
Battle of The Argonne Forest
The Battle of the Argonne Forest was a part of the final Allied offensive attack on the Western Front in WWI. The battle was fought from September 26, 1918 to November 11, 1918, a total of 47 days. The battle was the largest in the United States Military history, involving over 1.2 million Americans. It was known as the Hundred Days Offensive, which brought the war to an end.| The battle involved the German Empire (with roughly 450,000 troops) and on the other side there was France and America who numbered roughly 1.2 million together. In total it was one of the bloodiest battles in American History with 26,000 dead and 95,000 wounded, along with French who had 70,000 dead and 117,000 wounded. Germans however suffered more losses than most to their single army (90,000-120,000 dead).
The main effort by the US was on the Verdon Sector between September 26 and November 11, 1918. However, far North, the U.S. troops were under command of the British were in a spearheaded attack on the Hindenburg Line with the Australian army along side. With the tanks of the British and the artillery brought by each side, the three combined, captured every objective. Although the capture of the Beauevoir Line was by October 10, 1918 was of greater significance at that moment, the U.S.' contribution to the victory at St. Quentin Canal is less remembered in the United States than Meuse-Argonne. The first phase of the battle was fought mostly around Somme-Py and Saint-Thierry from September 26 - October 3. The second phase was fought around Montfaucon from October 4 - October 28. The third and final phase of the battle was fought around Chesne and the Advancement to the Meuse from October 28 - November 11 when the Germans put a sudden stop to the fighting and surrendered.
The main effort by the US was on the Verdon Sector between September 26 and November 11, 1918. However, far North, the U.S. troops were under command of the British were in a spearheaded attack on the Hindenburg Line with the Australian army along side. With the tanks of the British and the artillery brought by each side, the three combined, captured every objective. Although the capture of the Beauevoir Line was by October 10, 1918 was of greater significance at that moment, the U.S.' contribution to the victory at St. Quentin Canal is less remembered in the United States than Meuse-Argonne. The first phase of the battle was fought mostly around Somme-Py and Saint-Thierry from September 26 - October 3. The second phase was fought around Montfaucon from October 4 - October 28. The third and final phase of the battle was fought around Chesne and the Advancement to the Meuse from October 28 - November 11 when the Germans put a sudden stop to the fighting and surrendered.
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