The First World War or “Great War”  When was it? 2 War involving nearly all the nations of the world What was it?

Europe: Pre and Post WWI

 MAIN Causes of WWI-Long term  Militarism – the aggressive build-up of a nation’s armed forces.  Alliances – nations formed partnerships to help protect and defend themselves.   Imperialism – stronger nations began to take over weaker nations.  Nationalism – everybody thought their nation was the best; this led to radicals

The Alliance System in Europe before WWI Dual Alliance Germany & Austria-Hungary The Triple Alliance Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy Franco-Russian Alliance France & Russia Entente Cordial Britain & France Triple Entente Britain, France, Russia

The First World War:  Why? 6 Long term - 1.Militarism 2.Alliances 3.Imperialism 4.Nationalism Short term - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro- Hungarian Empire by Serbian Nationalist, Gavrilo Princip

Declarations of War  July 23: Austria-Hungary presents ultimatum to Serbia.  July 28: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.  July 30: Russia mobilizes troops against Germany and Austria-Hungary  August 1: Germany declares war on Russia  August 2: Germany invades Luxembourg  August 3: Germany declares war on France  August 4: Germany invades Belgium  August 4: Great Britain declares war on Germany  August 6: Austria declares war on Russia  August 12: France and Britain declare war on Austria Hungary

Taking Sides in the First World War:  Who? 8 Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Russia France Great Britain Italy Japan United States (1917) Central Powers:Allies:

WWI becomes a War of “Attrition”  Tanks  Barbed Wire  Mustard gas  Flamethrowers  Machine Guns  Grenades  Trenches

American Neutrality  Wilson called on Americans to be “neutral in fact as well as in name, impartial in thought as well as in action.”

Discuss with your group: 11 Is isolationism really an option for a country as powerful as the United States?

Why did America want to remain neutral?  Neutrality was profitable for awhile (trade with both sides)  Isolationists-“Why should the US get involved in Europe’s problems?”  Wilson wanted to stay out of the war so he could negotiate the peace process  Immigrants were from all over the world-supported every side in the war. 12

Which side should the US choose? mil. German- Americans Irish-Americans hated Great Britain Close cultural ties Big business loaned $ to allies Central Powers: Allies: US Exports to both sides:

How was the war looking for the allies? 14 Russia left the war after its communist revolution in 1917 Made it a one front war for Germany - all its troops could concentrate on France Not Good... Trench warfare created a stalemate Civilians were suffering—food shortages, hoarding, rationing, millions of young men being called to war, dying.

What did it take to get the US involved? Blockades Britain blockaded (stopped) all German ships going to America Germany announced a submarine war around Britain

What did it take to get the US involved? Blockades In May, 1915 Germany told Americans to stay off of British ships They could/would sink them

What did it take to get the US involved? Blockades Lusitania (British passenger ship) torpedoed, sunk with 1200 passengers and crew (including 128 Americans) Ship was eventually found to be carrying 4200 cases of ammunition

What did it take to get the US involved? Unrestricted Submarine Warfare 1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine warfare” in the war zone—no ship was safe Why? Otherwise their blockade would not be successful

Background  US was growing in every way- – Population-millions of immigrants – industry and technology – production/trade  Europe was experiencing problems- – Hunger – Poverty – Ethnic strife

What did it take to get the US involved? Zimmerman Note US intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an alliance Violation of the Monroe Doctrine

The US Enters the War  “We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champion of the rights of mankind. …the US participation in the war would make the world “safe for democracy.”  Why did Wilson say the US would participate in this War?

Convincing the American People 22 Idealism: Fourteen Points What was it? President Wilson’s Plan for after the war Fourteen promises, including freedom of the seas & a League of Nations to work for peace President Woodrow Wilson

Convincing the American People  How would the US raise an army to fight in Europe? – Selective Service Act of required men to register with the government and be eligible for a “draft”

How would the US get the people to support the War?- -Propaganda 24 How do you think this poster helped to convince the American people that the war was a good idea?

Convincing the people  Propaganda- spreading ideas or information as a means of mass persuasion – Committee on Public Information Published pamphlets, papers, newspaper articles The four-minute man (stump speeches)

What did the US do to help win the War? US provided the food, money, and fresh troops needed to win the war Doughboys 26

How did the War Affect the US? 27 Women Filled factory jobs Contributed to the 19th Amendment after the war (Gave women the right to vote) Black soldiers still served in Segregated Units African Americans “Great Migration” - thousands of African Americans moved North to work in factories

How did the War Affect the US? 28 Enforcing Loyalty Hatred of all things German Ex. “Liberty Cabbage” Espionage Act 1917 & Sedition Act of 1918 punished those against the war (many labor leaders) Individual freedoms and privacy sacrificed for the War effort

Armistice Day  Kaiser fled, Germans laid down arms at 11 th hour on 11 th day of 11 th month (Nov 11,1918)

Where do we go from here?Wilson’s Fourteen Points  Wilson wanted quick peace-- worried about spread of Communism from Russia  Goals: – Avoid another war – Avoid spread of Communism – Rebuild Europe  Main Points: – Adjust borders of countries for self-rule by ethnic groups – Limit size, weapons of armies – Change colonial system by giving colonies a vote – Create a League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles (1919)  Fell into hands of Big 4-US, Italy, France, Great Britain  Germany & Austria not allowed voice in treaty  Russia not Present  Britain and France want revenge

Treaty of Versailles (1919)  Called ‘politics of hatred’  Conditions: – Responsibility-Germany – Reparations -$36 billion – German colonies divided among winners – Germany not allowed to have A draft-military destroyed

League of Nations  Wilson’s goal…  US Senate…  Failed ultimately because no US support, participation  Repercussions….

The Changing Map of Europe

What were the effects of WWI?  million people died (1/3 civilians)  20 million wounded  Estimated cost – $300 billion  Rise of communism (Red Scare in US)  US becomes a world power  New countries: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Poland  Dissatisfied and outcast nations: Japan, Italy, Russia and Germany  These nations become WWII Axis powers