9:1 ● World War I... ● Germany becomes a world power in 1870's ● Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary = Triple Alliance ● Russia fears German motives – Signs alliance with France: Franco-Russian Alliance

9:1 ● Militarism ● Aggressive military buildup used to intimidate and threaten other nations ● Britain becomes concerned with German arms buildup ● Forms “Triple Entente” ● Britain, France, Russia

9:1 ● Nationalism ● Intense pride in one's homeland ● Promote one's own culture and interests above others ● Balkans ● Region in southeastern Europe

9:1 ● Archduke Franz Ferdinand ● Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne ● Assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in Bosnia, Sarajevo- June, 1914 ● Assassination triggers events that lead to WWI

9:1 ● Americans Take Sides ● President Wilson declared the U.S. “neutral” ● American people supported both sides – Majority supported Triple Entente ● We have a British heritage ● France helped us in the Revolutionary War

9:1 ● Propaganda ● Information designed to influence public opinion ● Used by British to gain American support

9:1 ● Lusitania ● British passenger ship ● Sunk by German submarine – 1,200 passengers killed ● 128 Americans

9:1 ● Sussex Pledge ● Germany promised to sink no more merchant ships ● Wanted to keep U.S. Out of the war ● Zimmerman Telegram ● Germany wanted Mexico as an ally ● Promised Mexico it would get Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back. ● Leaked to U.S. Newspapers

9:1 ● April 2, 1917 ● President Wilson appears before Congress ● Asks for a declaration of war on Germany ● April 4, 1917 ● Senate approves 82 to 6 ● House approves 373 to 50 ● April 6, 1917 ● United States enters WWI