Chemical Weapons in WWI

Mustard Gas Burns

Mustard Gas 

Soldiers in trenches, death by phosgene

Phosgene

Tear Gas (ethyl bromoacetate)

Initial Questions on The Great War:

1) When did WWI break out and who was on each side?

WWI began on July 28, 1914 with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. The two sides were known as the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. The Triple Entente consisted of The UK, Russia, and France. The Triple Alliance consisted of Germany and Austria-Hungary.

2) When and why did the US get involved in WWI?

The US joined the war when the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-Sub. The US also intercepted a German telegram to Mexico known as the Zimmermann Note, in which Germany offered to help Mexico regain Texas.

3) What were the casualty rates for the various countries involved?

4) When and why did the war end?

The war came to a close because of all the men that were lost, specifically in Germany. After Germany moved toward peace, so did other Central powers. Fighting on the Western Front continued for a while, but eventually armistices were signed. The formal end of the war is the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which essentially blames, and gives $20 billion debt to, Germany.

Array of Post Cards from the Great White Fleet:

*Carl is a fictional sailor on Admiral Emory's U.S.S. Rhode Island who then moved to Admiral Schroeder's U.S.S. Maine during resupply at Ceylon. He joined the Navy to prove his manhood and to traverse the world.

December 25, 1907

Dear Mom and Dad,

     This trip has only just begun and how wonderful it is! We'll be showing the world America's naval prowess. I am proud to be a part of this history-making journey.

     Two days ago we arrived in Trinidad, an island north east of Venezuela. I was expecting a parade with big crowds spectating and large bands marching upon our arrival on shore, but it was a rather quiet welcome. Although, with the governor being a British colonialist, I can see why he would not want to celebrate America's navy. 

     Despite the lack of pomp and circumstance, however, we are still enjoying our Christmas. This morning we gathered palm fronds, bamboo leaves, holly branches, and evergreen boughs to decorate the ships. Tonight we will be having a classic ham dinner and to hold us over until then, we have been snacking on the delicious and plentiful fruit their markets offer. Yesterday and today, boxing and playing with parakeets have filled my free time.

     I will keep you all updated as our fleet makes its way throughout the world.

With love,

Carl

April 24, 1908

Dear Mom and Dad,

     It has been a while since I sent you a post card! I apologize, as I told you I would update you as much as possible. I hope you all are well.

     Recently I have been very tired. I am not as chipper as I was upon our departure from Hampton Roads. Whenever we stop somewhere though, I am always revived by the happy faces, the kindness, the culture, and the food. A few days ago, we arrived in Los Angeles. It's so refreshing to be around people who have genuine patriotism. 

     I am completely amazed by the weather and scenery here. It's not too hot, not too cold, bot to humid, not too dry. The orchards stretch for miles, corralled by snow capped mountains and the peaceful Pacific in the distance. The whole essence of this place sums up for our main goal for this expedition; to establish a global environment of peace by the hands of Americans. It's not that we are better than other countries -- we simply realize, and have the power to maintain, that justice is the best policy.

Until next time,

Carl

July 22, 1908

Dear Mom and Dad,

     Before we depart from Hawaii today, I wanted to send you all another post card. 

     The heat in almost unbearable here. I suppose the natives have gotten used to it, but even after spending time on the (gorgeous) beaches in the (clear, blue) ocean I sweat constantly. 

     It's obvious we are here to clear relations between Queen Liliuokalani and ourselves. Unfortunately, I think it will be in vain. Almost all the places we've been before have welcomed us and tried to entertain us. Here though, we have had to entertain the locals.

     I am ready to come home. I'm tired, hot, and haven't slept in a proper bed in months. At least we are on the second leg of the journey.

Miss you,

Carl

October 19, 1908

Dear Mom and Dad,

     I thank God for the pleasure of writing this post card to you all. On the way here from our brief stop in Manila, our Great Fleet experienced a storm greater than even we could handle. Objectively, it is a miracle we only lost one man, given the waves taller than the boats themselves. Subjectively however, I lost one of my good friends on this voyage, William Fuller. As he yelled "So long, Fellas!" I think I began crying, but I could not feel my tears given the sheets of rain.

     We made it to Yokohama, Japan yesterday, escorted by sixteen Japanese battleships, one for each of our ships. This whole encounter is going to be so fake. I have been talking about it with the men. We are here to solidify the peaceful, cooperative American relationship with Japan, but so far they have just tried to show there military strength. Maybe I am just being hypocritical by criticizing them. 

     The common people are very nice though. The girls are beautiful and so are the silks they made specifically for us sailors. I am bringing one home for you mom!

Sincerely,

Carl

November 30, 1908

Dear Mom and Dad,

     Tomorrow we depart for the third leg of the journey. At Thanksgiving the cooks on board went all out with ham, pineapple, cranberry sauce and the like. Bands played all night to accompany our meal and celebration. During dinner, we were given the itinerary for the rest of the trip.

     As you can tell from the post card, we have spent the last few days in Manila. I originally thought that our visit here would be much like our stop in Hawaii; making amends with former rulers, but other issues took center stage. It has been rainy the entire time we have been here and there is also a cholera outbreak. I feel bad not only for myself and fellow men who did not get to spend much time on land, but for the people of Manila as well. It is obvious they put great effort, time, and money into preparing to welcome us. Hopefully our future stops will not be governed by the weather.

     I'm sure your Thanksgiving was a enjoyable as mine. I am missing you all very much.

With love,

Carl

December 18, 1908

Dear Mom and Dad,

     We were running low on coal and Boy! Did we choose the most interesting place to resupply! While here, I have eaten the freshest mango and pineapple I have ever eaten in my life. I got to drink milk from a coconut the size of my head. I even got to ride an elephant. 

     Every day, snake charmers would come on the boats and put on shows for us with there snakes and mongoose. If we paid enough money, he would get the snake and a mongoose to fight to the death.

     At first, I was surprised that the people wore so few cloths. I suppose the lack of cloths is a result of the poverty here in Kandy, Ceylon, but there is really no utility for the cloths. It's so hot and humid, despite the fact that it is December.

Have a Merry Christmas,

Carl

January 6, 1909

Dear Mom and Dad,

     I miss you all more than you know. I'm not the only one that's getting tired of this journey either. You can tell by looking at the boats themselves. The white paint is scraping off and there are barnacles covering the lower sides of the boats. 

     We have spent the last few days passing through the famous Suez Canal. It is a very slow process because of all locks and dams. Our boats are also very cumbersome. We only clear the sides of the canal by about twenty feet on either side.

     My fellow lower ranking men are happy to be so close to coming home, but we are ready for another excursion. Unfortunately, only higher ranking men get to go onshore in Cairo to visit the pyramids. The closet you and I will ever get to the pyramids is this post card.

With Love,

Carl

January 9, 1909

Dear Mom and Dad,

     know this post card is coming only a few days after my last one, but after the Christmas season, I could not help but share my excitement with you all. As I am in Admiral Schroeder's Division, we were assigned to visit Turkey. I have been in Smyrna for two days now. What I am so excited about though is all the ruins, especially in Ephesus; the same Ephesus from the Bible! Visiting renewed my faith, which I will admit was growing weary from this long journey.

     While we were here, the Turks tried entertained us, but they had been hit with some nasty earthquakes.  We are staying a few more days to help them recover. I sure, however, the Turks also want us to stay because of their current tension with Germany and Austria. Admiral Schroeder still insists we are neutral, but the Turks obviously don't believe so.

     I am happy to report that this will be my last post card. By the end of this month we will exit the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar and set sail for Hampton Roads.

Sailing proudly,

Carl

Sources:

William Stuart's The Cruise of the Great White Fleet

Smithsonian Post Card Chronology

Library of Congress on The Great White Fleet

Department of the Navy on The Great White Fleet

Ceylon Post Card

Princeton on The Great White Fleet

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