Primary Documents - 1917
This page of the Primary
Documents section of the website collects together archive source documents
originating in 1917, the tumultuous third year of the war which heralded two
revolutions in Russia, French military disaster along the Aisne, severe
British difficulties at Passchendaele - and perhaps most notable of all,
America's decisive entry into the war.
Included among the following documents is the transcript of the decoded Zimmermann Telegram which helped bring about America's entry into the war; President Wilson's speech to the U.S. Congress declaring war against Germany; and Tsar Nicholas II's abdication proclamation.
The list presented below - with each entry accompanied by a brief summary of its significance - is sorted by date, with earlier documents listed first.
Document | Description |
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January - Instructions for use on the Italian Front |
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January - The King's protest against Allied interference |
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January - Secret German telegram to Mexico |
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January - President Wilson's proposal to European powers |
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January - Germany's decision to re-start U-boat warfare |
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January - German Chancellor's speech to Reichstag |
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February - U.S. President's breaking off of relations |
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February - Neutral Spain's dismay at new German policy |
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February - Neutral Brazil's stance against German policy |
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February - Neutral Chile's statement against German policy |
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March - Russian Tsar's belated abdication announcement |
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March - Public announcement of new government |
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March - New Russian Tsar's position |
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March - German Field Marshal's triumphant announcement |
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March - Semi-official German narrative of early campaign |
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March - Address given by Wilson at start of second term |
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March - British newspaper journalist's account |
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March - British Commander-in-Chief's official despatch |
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March - Report by Gaston Bodart into Britain's success |
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March - Speech confirming telegram's authenticity |
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March - Prime Minister's rebuttal of connivance |
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March - Ulema's crucial support for King Hussein |
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March - Investigation into reports of German atrocities |
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March - U.S. Ambassador's first-hand report of aftermath |
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April - British war reporter's newspaper account |
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April - Official Canadian reaction to success at Vimy Ridge |
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April - U.S. Ambassador's eye-witness account |
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April - German Chancellor's regret at war likelihood |
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April - Britain's dismissal of German Chancellor's arguments |
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April - President Wilson's address to Congress |
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April - Formal U.S. declaration of war with Germany |
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April - French Prime Minister's applause for U.S. stance |
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April - Formal Cuban declaration of war with Germany |
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April - Cuban President's rationale for war |
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April - President's statement of reasons for war |
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April - British Prime Minister's support for U.S. decision |
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April - President Wilson's call to American people |
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April - Kaiser's congratulations to Crown Prince Wilhelm |
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April - Erich Ludendorff's triumphant announcement |
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April - Lenin's prescription for revolution in Russia |
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May - War Minister's warning of imminent "abyss" |
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May - Justice Minister's warning against military unrest |
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May - Statement supporting Russia's military effort |
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May - U.S. President's formal call for conscription |
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May - U.S. trade union leader's position on conscription |
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May - British Commander-in-Chief's report of operations |
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May - U.S. Ambassador to Italy's summary |
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June - Brazilian government's legal steps to authorise war |
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June - Demand for Constantine's abdication |
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June - Former U.S. President's rationale for war |
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June - Exiled King's farewell speech |
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June - New Greek King's promise to follow his father's lead |
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June - Allies' proclamation applauding King's abdication |
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June - U.S. law defining acts of espionage during wartime |
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June - Russian government's letter of appreciation |
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June - Blame for Germany's actions in 1914 |
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June - Controversial government bureau's press release |
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July - Call to Russian arms in launching offensive |
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July - Commander-in-Chief's increasing despair at events |
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July - French War Minister's public statement |
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July - German parliament's call for peace |
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July - Established basis of post-war Greater Serbia |
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July - Statement urging support for Provisional Government |
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July - Striking a note of desperate urgency |
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July - Army Chief of Staff's official report |
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July - Account of German losses at Passchendaele |
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July - Canadian General's summary of Canadian role |
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August - Seven-point peace initiative |
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August - Incoming Greek King's coronation address |
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August - Account by head of British Red Cross in Italy |
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September - U.S. Ambassador to Belgium's critical report |
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September - U.S. Commission member's report |
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September - By Polish member of Prussian parliament |
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October - Appeal for further civil unrest in Russia |
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October - Further appeal for civil disobedience |
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October - Bolshevik's catalogue of revolutionary demands |
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October - Lenin's urgent call to overthrow government |
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October - Proclamation declaring Kerenski's overthrow |
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October - Three post-revolution Bolshevik proclamations |
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October - Defining the nature of Soviet foreign policy |
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October - Resolutions of Workmen's and Soldiers' Congress |
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October - Italian Army's Chief of Staff admits defeat |
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October - German liaison officer's countdown to action |
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October - Statement outlining Romania's experiences |
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October - Open letter explaining the need for war |
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November - Britain's recommendation for a Jewish homeland |
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November - German Army Chief of Staff's account |
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November - Arthur Conan Doyle's Summary |
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November - Bolshevik desire for a prompt armistice |
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November - Ukrainian President's aims for autonomy |
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November - German Foreign Secretary's Reichstag speech |
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December - Decree of surrender to British rule |
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December - Trotsky's report on progress of talks |
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December - Official German report on progress of talks |
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December - British Commander-in-Chief's account |
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December - Allenby's official declaration |
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December - Gaston Bodart's summary of events |
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December - Summary by British Palestine Society |
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December - Preliminary armistice agreement |
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December - Ultimatum threatening war |
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December - Soviet government's acceptance |
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December - British Commander-in-Chief's report |
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December - Statement arguing need to block commerce |
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December - Statement protesting Bulgarian occupation |
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December - Secretary of Agriculture's account |
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December - View of President of U.S. Railroads' War Board |
"Drum Fire" was an artillery barrage fired not in salvo but by each gun in succession.
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