WWI Letter Home

My Dear Yvonne,

I have arrived in Chalons-en-Champagne. Everyone around here seems to be in a hurry for some reason or another. We are expected to stay here for another three days, then we will be sent to the trenches. Morale is high, with rumor that we will reach Paris by the end of the month. I must say that, although I joined the army for the adventure, the gruesome wounded flowing in from the front-lines have struck a deep terror in me. The general will send a division of 75 to the front lines, and 60 will return on stretchers or in body bags. I expect this war will change me, even if I avoid injury. I will keep you in my thoughts, and write to you as soon as I can.

Hanz


Now in German because Google translate exists...


Meine liebe Yvonne,

Ich habe in Chalons-en-Champagne angekommen. Jeder hier in der Gegend scheint in Eile aus irgendeinem Grund oder einem anderen. Wir werden erwartet, hier zu bleiben für weitere drei Tage, dann werden wir in die Schützengräben geschickt werden. Moral ist hoch, mit Gerücht, dass wir Paris bis Ende des Monats zu erreichen. Ich muss sagen, dass, obwohl ich in die Armee für das Abenteuer, das grauenhafte verwundet von der Front-Linien fließen in eine tiefe Schrecken in mir aufgefallen. Die allgemeinen wird eine Aufteilung von 75 an die Front zu schicken, und 60 werden auf Tragen oder in Leichensäcken zurück. Ich erwarte, dass dieser Krieg mich zu ändern, auch wenn ich Verletzungen zu vermeiden. Ich werde dich in meinen Gedanken zu halten und zu schreiben, um Ihnen so schnell wie ich kann.

Hanz

MAIN Causes of WWI

The causes of World War I can be summarized in MAIN. The MAIN causes all led to the start of WWI.

Militarism: The belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. Militarism would cause the creation of more effective weapons of war, which would greatly increase the death toll during the war.

Alliances: The nations of Europe were determined to maintain themselves as world powers, so they would create alliances with other countries to help them during war and vice versa. This would ensure that every country in Europe would be involved in the War.

Imperialism: European powers competed fiercely for power over land all over the world. Disagreements and rivalries increased the risks of war.

Nationalism: Pride in one's country. This would create feelings of superiority, leading to recklessness with other countries that are equally powerful.

These causes, as well as the spark of the war, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, which Austria-Hungary used to go to war, would lead to World War I in Europe and Western Asia.

The Sedition Act of 1918

Although the legislation passed in 1918 is commonly referred to as the "Sedition Act", the laws
passed were actually amendments to the Espionage Act passed the year before. The Espionage Act
made interfering in the United States' war effort in any way illegal. The Sedition Act increased the
power of the Espionage Act in limiting the First Amendment of the Constitution. The Sedition Act
was passed during World War I to help gain the support of the populace for the war effort. The Act
allowed authorities to arrest anyone who spoke out publicly against the war. Most arrests were made
for speeches and protests by anti-war extremists and pacifists, as well as socialists, though they were
more collateral. President Wilson was reluctant at first to sign the Sedition Act, but was under pressure from his entire cabinet, as well as the other branches of the federal government. As the war ended and the government relaxed its grip on people's everyday lives, more and more support for the Espionage Act's repeal grew. The Act was finally repealed in 1921 and everyone convicted of violating the Act was released from prison.