5 Common Myths About World War I

World War I was a catastrophic global event that influenced nearly every significant occurrence in the 20th century. However, despite its profound impact, many misconceptions about the war persist. This article aims to debunk some of the most widespread myths, inspired by an episode of Misconceptions on YouTube.

1. Myth: The U.S. joined World War I after the sinking of the Lusitania.

On May 7, 1915, a German submarine torpedoed the Lusitania, a British passenger ship traveling from New York to England. This event was not entirely unexpected, as Britain and Germany were already at war, and Britain had been transporting military supplies from the U.S. on civilian ships. Consequently, Germany declared that any Allied vessel near British waters was a legitimate target for attack. Prior to the Lusitania's departure, the German embassy even published warnings in newspapers, stating, 'Travelers planning to sail across the Atlantic are advised that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies ... and those traveling in the war zone on British or Allied ships do so at their own peril.'

Despite the printed warnings and the fact that the Lusitania was indeed transporting weapons, the tragic loss of nearly 1200 lives, including over 120 Americans, sparked widespread public outrage.

The sinking of the Lusitania played a significant role in swaying American public opinion against Germany, leading many to question the wisdom of remaining neutral. Influential figures like Theodore Roosevelt, who had always opposed neutrality, reinforced this shift. Following the disaster, Roosevelt released a statement urging action: 'It seems unthinkable that we should refrain from responding, as we owe it not just to humanity but to our own national dignity.'

Contrary to popular belief, the Lusitania did not immediately draw the U.S. into the war. President Woodrow Wilson remained steadfast in his commitment to neutrality. In 1916, he even persuaded Germany to pledge not to attack merchant and passenger ships. It wasn’t until Germany broke this promise in early 1917 that Wilson began to seriously reconsider his stance.

The Zimmermann telegram also played a crucial role in pushing the U.S. toward war. In early 1917, Arthur Zimmermann, Germany’s foreign minister, sent a telegram to Mexico proposing an alliance: if Mexico fought on Germany’s side, Germany would help reclaim territories lost to the U.S.

However, Britain intercepted the telegram, and its contents were soon made public in the U.S. This revelation fueled fears that Germany was indirectly threatening an invasion. Combined with the ongoing threat of German submarine attacks, this anxiety led Wilson to request a declaration of war from Congress in April 1917.

2. Myth: World War I was confined to Europe and the U.S.

Many films, books, and documentaries about World War I often focus heavily on Europe, creating a skewed perception of the conflict. While these portrayals aren’t entirely inaccurate, they often overlook the profound impact the war had on other parts of the world.

The involvement of other continents stemmed largely from European colonial rule. Nations like Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, and Portugal had established vast empires across Africa and Asia. When the war began, they conscripted local populations and waged battles on these territories.

Approximately 2 million Africans participated in the war, with many serving as porters rather than soldiers. These porters were responsible for moving food and supplies across vast distances, often hundreds of miles, resulting in the deaths of thousands. Historian Melvin E. Page estimates that at least 200,000 Africans lost their lives during World War I campaigns.

European forces depended heavily on African resources, either by formally requisitioning crops or outright looting. Kileke Mwakibinga, who was a child in what is now Tanzania during the war, later recounted seeing German soldiers retreat through his village: 'They would enter homes, take milk if they found it, and seize chickens without hesitation.'

Modern-day Tanzania was the location of one of the most notable battles in East Africa, the Battle of the Bees, fought in the port city of Tanga in November 1914. The battle earned its name not because of the presence of Britain’s Indian Expeditionary Force B, but due to an unexpected natural intervention.

Britain deployed Indian troops to capture Tanga from German forces, but their lack of training and Germany’s preparedness led to a swift German advantage. During the battle, swarms of bees from nearby trees attacked the soldiers, adding chaos to the conflict.

The bees attacked indiscriminately, but Britain’s eventual retreat fueled speculation that German soldiers had deliberately triggered the bee attacks by setting trip wires.

3. Myth: Allied soldiers despised the Red Baron.

By early 1917, German aviator Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen had already established himself as a formidable force in the skies. He had personally downed 16 Allied aircraft and was appointed leader of his own squadron, Jasta 11. To mark this achievement, von Richthofen painted his plane a striking red, earning him the nickname 'Red Baron' from the Allies.

The pilots of Jasta 11 were highly skilled, with their commander being the most deadly. The Red Baron destroyed a total of 80 planes—a record in World War I—and was celebrated in Germany. While Allied soldiers certainly didn’t want to face him in combat, many held a sense of respect, if not admiration, for him.

Following a crash landing on January 24, 1917, the Red Baron had the opportunity to speak with two English pilots he had just defeated. He later documented this encounter in his autobiography The Red Fighter Pilot:

'The two Englishmen … greeted me as fellow sportsmen. … This made our conversation particularly enjoyable. I inquired if they had seen my plane before, and one replied, ‘Oh, yes. I recognize your aircraft. We refer to it as Le Petit Rouge.’” (French for ‘The Little Red.’)

The Red Baron’s reign in the skies ended abruptly on April 21, 1918, at the age of 25. Allied forces struck him in the chest while he was flying over Vaux-sur-Somme, France. He crashed and died almost instantly.

Rather than celebrating his death, his adversaries organized a military funeral, which British newspapers praised as ‘impressive.’ He was buried near Amiens, France, with a wreath bearing the message: ‘To Our Gallant and Worthy Foe.’

The British aviation journal Aeroplane noted his death a few days later, stating: ‘Every member of the Corps would have gladly taken him down. Yet, each would have just as willingly shaken his hand had he survived, or if he had been the one to bring them down.’

4. Myth: Mata Hari was a highly effective German spy.

On October 15, 1917, Mata Hari faced a French firing squad in a Paris suburb, prepared for her execution. French police doctor Léon Bizard later described her calm demeanor in his 1925 memoir, translated from French: 'As the officer read the sentence, the dancer, refusing a blindfold, stood against the post, with a loosely draped rope around her waist.'

She smiled at Sister Léonide, the nun who had cared for her in prison, and allegedly blew a kiss to the soldiers, though this detail may be more legend than fact.

Shortly after, Mata Hari was executed. The court believed her death was justified for allegedly sharing state secrets with Germany, leading to the deaths of approximately 50,000 French soldiers. However, most historians argue that her alleged crimes ranged from 'severely overstated' to 'completely fabricated.'

To be clear, Mata Hari was far from trustworthy. Her entire identity was a fabrication. Born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in the Netherlands, she crafted her exotic dancer persona based on her time in what is now Indonesia, not her Dutch upbringing.

By the onset of World War I, Mata Hari had become a European sensation. On stage, she captivated audiences with her provocative, pseudo-religious performances. Her charm extended offstage, where she maintained numerous romantic relationships. These connections made her a target for espionage, and in 1915, she agreed to spy for Germany in exchange for 20,000 francs. A year later, she accepted a similar offer from French officer Georges Ladoux to spy for France.

The extent of her espionage remains uncertain. There is no concrete evidence that the information she provided to either side was of significant value. According to French documents declassified in the 1980s, she only shared trivial gossip and newspaper clippings with the Germans.

As Pat Shipman noted in her biography Femme Fatale: 'She was famous everywhere, recognized by all, and always the center of attention … If she truly was a spy, Mata Hari would rank among the most incompetent agents in history. … She sent unencrypted letters to Ladoux via regular mail, openly telegraphed him, and frequently visited his office.'

Regardless of her competence, Mata Hari soon became a liability. In late 1916, French officials intercepted telegrams referencing her German codename, H 21. These messages were sent by her German lover, Arnold Kalle, and some historians speculate he intentionally leaked them, knowing the French would arrest her. By February 1917, they had done just that.

Without concrete evidence of treason, why were French authorities so determined to execute her? Some suggest her execution was a strategic move to bolster public confidence in the war effort and lift morale.

As French historian Frédéric Guelton stated in an interview with France 24, '1917 was a devastating year. The government needed to demonstrate that, despite German advances, the Russian Revolution, and internal mutinies, France would persevere. Executing this woman signaled the government’s resolve to do whatever was necessary for victory.'

5. Myth: World War I concluded at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

At 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, World War I officially ended, marking the significance of Armistice Day. In 1954, the U.S. renamed it Veterans Day to honor all military veterans, not just those from World War I. Similarly, other nations refer to it as Remembrance Day for the same purpose.

While the Treaty of Versailles, signed in June 1919, marked the formal conclusion of World War I for most nations, Armistice Day is widely recognized as the end of active combat. However, not all forces ceased fighting on November 11. Some countries had already halted hostilities, while others continued to fight beyond that date.

This delay was partly due to communication challenges. For instance, German major general Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck’s troops were scattered across East Africa. On November 10, the British General Staff sent a telegram to an East African base inquiring, 'If an armistice is declared, what’s the fastest way to notify von Lettow?'

Germany accepted the armistice at around 5 a.m. on November 11, with the ceasefire set to begin six hours later. This left insufficient time to inform von Lettow, who reportedly didn’t receive the news until November 14. His forces continued fighting in the meantime, and von Lettow only formally surrendered on November 25 in what is now Zambia.

Allied forces, including the American Polar Bear Expedition, continued fighting in Russia even after the armistice. Russia had withdrawn from World War I in March 1918 due to Bolshevik pressure, leading to a civil war. The Allies hoped to assist in defeating the Bolsheviks, believing Russia could then rejoin the war effort.

With the armistice rendering their mission unnecessary, the Polar Bear Expedition and other forces should have ceased operations. However, they remained involved in Russia’s civil war until 1919. As historian James Carl Nelson explained to Smithsonian, 'The soldiers often complained, ‘No one can explain why we’re here,’ especially after the war officially ended.'

It may come as a surprise that the U.S. remained technically at war with the Central Powers until 1921. The Senate’s refusal to ratify the Treaty of Versailles prolonged the state of war. In April 1921, President Harding remarked, 'Though the World War ended over two years ago, we are still technically in a state of war.'

By July 1921, both the Senate and the House passed the Knox-Porter Resolution, officially ending the war. Upon signing it, Harding delivered one of the most memorable lines in U.S. history: 'That’s all.'