Professor G.A. Hawkins U.S. History Causes of World War I Objectives 1.List and discuss the long-term causes of WWI 2.Examine and analyze the short-term causes of WWI 3.Detail reasons for U.S. Involvement

Introduction After the Franco-Prussian War ( ), Europe and the United States experienced a period of relative peace. There was rapid industrial and commercial progress. The western powers expanded trade and colonies. However, national rivalries gradually grew and alliance camps emerged. Economic competition and arms race also became intense. Finally war broke out in 1914, a war which was unexpectedly disastrous and destructive in scale. First let us examine the long term causes: the formation of alliance systems, nationalism, imperialism and militarism

DEFINITIONS Alliances: Definition: An agreement between two or more countries to work together for the benefit of each country. Nationalism: Definition: Extreme pride in one’s nations or state. Often seen by the use of flags, national anthems, and other signature items Imperialism: Definition: Domination by one country over another in terms of the political, economic, or cultural life of the dominated country or region. Militarism: Definition: The glorification of one’s military. Also the belief of a nation or its people to build and maintain a strong military, with the intention to use it whenever it is felt necessary.

MAP OF ALLIANCES

Short-Term Causes Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand 1.This assassination led to Austria- Hungary declaring war on Serbia. 2.Then Russia began to mobilize due to its alliance with Serbia 3. Germany declared war on Russia. 4.Thus began the expansion of the war to include all those involved in the mutual defense alliances.  Thus, if one country was attacked, allied countries were bound to defend them.  Before World War 1, the following alliances existed: Russia and Serbia Germany and Austria-Hungary France and Russia Britain and France and Belgium Japan and Britain

Why Did The U.S. Involved ? Germany had agreed to halt unrestricted submarine warfare. 128 American passengers killed onboard ship. Extended spoils of a victory to Mexico for an alliance. 1.Violations of the Sussex Pledge 2.The Sinking of the Lusitania 3.Interception of the Zimmerman Note

Do you know the causes of WWI? Long-term Causes 1.Alliance systems 2.Nationalism 3.Imperialism 4.Militarism Short-Term Causes 1.Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. 2.Russia mobilizes for war to aid Serbia due to its alliance. 3.Germany Invades Belgium.

What led to the United States Involvement in WWI? Germany violates the Sussex Pledge. The sinking of the Passenger ship Lusitania. Interception and translation of the Zimmerman note.