Causes of the Great War

Great War or War to End all War Not called WWI until after WWII 1st World War in history Great War or War to End all War Not called WWI until after WWII Total war Involved 60 nations and 6 continents

Influences of Spanish-American War US began to establish an international Empire Becoming an Industrial Power “Open Door Policy” Liberal Internationalism Economic and Political Progress went hand in hand “make the world safe for democracy”

Causes of WWI – MANIA! Militarism - policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war (ARMS RACE) Alliances – agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves PROBLEM: One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict Nationalism – extreme pride in one’s country Imperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically. Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand

Now Let’s Look at Some “isms”

Countries proud of their heritage and culture CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Nationalism Countries proud of their heritage and culture Similar to patriotism Ethnic groups of similar heritage wanted to free their oppressed brethren and unite their people into one country Germany wanted to expand its culture and political influence throughout Europe.

Aggressive Nationalism

economic and political control over other countries…… CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Imperialism France, Great Britain, Germany and Russia were establishing colonies in Africa and Asia economic and political control over other countries…… these countries were in competition for colonies

Cartoon-European grab bag CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I European nations competing for colonies around the world…..Imperialism Cartoon-European grab bag

Cartoon-European grab bag COLONIAL CLAIMS BY 1900 Cartoon-European grab bag

Cartoon-European grab bag COLONIAL CLAIMS BY 1900 Cartoon-European grab bag

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Militarism European nations began an arms race as they competed for colonies around the world……

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures Militarism & Arms Race Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, British and Russia] in millions of dollars. 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1914 94 130 154 268 289 398 1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures France 10% Britain 13% Russia 39% Germany 73% By 1906, President Roosevelt had built the US Navy into the 3rd largest naval fleet in the world…. The Great White Fleet

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I Alliances European nations began forming military alliances with one another to maintain a balance of power …….. Triple Alliance Triple Entente Central Powers Allied Powers Germany Great Britain Austria-Hungary Empire France Bulgaria Russia

ASSASSINATION OF FRANZ FERDINAND Franz Ferdinand’s funeral procession Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family. Archduke was heir to the throne in the Austrian Hungarian Empire. His assassination June 28, 1914 eventually led to WWI. Garvillo Princip, a Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke. He was trying to gain allowances for his fellow Serbs who lived under Austrian rule. franz

ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI Austrian-Hungarian Empire controlled several ethic groups. Serbian nationalists wanted to untie Serbs who lived in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire with Serbia. This led to the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Sarajevo alliances1

ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI June 28 Assassination at Sarajevo July 28 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia July 30 Russia began mobilization 4. August 1 Germany declared war on Russia alliances1

ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI August 3 Germany declared war on France 6. August 3 Great Britain declared war on Germany August 6 Russia and Austria/Hungary at war. August 12 Great Britain declared war on Austria/Hungary alliances2

Austrian-Hungarian Empire Two Armed Camps! Allied Powers Central Powers Great Britain Germany Austrian-Hungarian Empire France Russia Ottoman Empire Italy

world map

Three Phases which brought US Closer to War!! Discrimination against American shipping to Central Powers. British Blockade Credits and Loans $2 ½ billion to Allied Powers Less than $300 million to Central Powers Exports $2.75 billion to Allied Powers $29 million to Central Powers

US tries to stay Neutral August 4, 1914 Wilson proclaims neutrality “Impartial in thought as well as deed/action.”

Phase #2 Submarines U-Boats Advantages Problems Wolf packs

The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy. SUBMARINE WARFARE The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy. Germans introduced unrestricted submarine warfare with U-Boats Germans warned the world they would sink any ship they believed was carrying contraband to Great Britain.

U-Boats Two types small subs with a crew of 24 larger subs with a crew of 60 44 by 1918 By 1918, Germans had sunk 6,500 allied ships.

Lusitania ad

war zone

Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British. SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA May 7, 1915, the Germans sunk the Lusitania which was British passenger liner. Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British. Killed 1,198 civilians including 128 Americans. U.S. and other countries outraged towards Germany because of “unrestricted submarine warfare”. US believed the Germans had violated international law of targeting civilians

Lusitania

BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” …. SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA After the sinking of the Lusitania, public opinion of most Americans was to go to war with Germany. Germany promised they would not sink anymore ships unless warning them first and providing safety for civilians. BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” ….

Sinking of the Arabic Sept. 1, 1915 British Liner- loss of 2 Americans Arabic Pledge--Germany would not sink any unarmed liners

X Sussex Sunk: led to Sussex Pledge in March 24, 1916. Germany promised not to sink anymore ships. war zone

Sussex Pledge Won’t sink any ships until Germany used adequate search & safety procedures Turning point in Wilson’s diplomacy

3rd Phase- Making World Safe for Democracy In 1916, Wilson re-elected “He kept us out of War” 277 vs. 254

All-Out Submarine Warfare Kaiser Wilhelm- 1917

ZIMMERMAN NOTE Berlin, January 19, 1917 On the first of February we intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.... You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war Zimmerman notes

Zimmerman code

Zimmerman code

zimmerman cartoon

WILSON'S WAR SPEECH When German submarines sank three American merchant ships in March 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.

Declaration of War April 2, 1917 Senators- 82 for 6 against Representatives- 373 for 50 against

In the years prior to both the War of 1812 and World War I War of 1812 & World War I In the years prior to both the War of 1812 and World War I (A) France and England were at war with each other (B) the neutral rights of the U.S. were threatened (C) the U.S. went to France's assistance (D) American sailors were impressed by the British (E) a revolution toppled Mexico's president Answer: (B) the neutral rights of the U.S. were threatened Explanation: Prior to the War of 1812, British and French ships seized American ships and impressed American sailors. Before entering World War I, the U.S. found its neutrality challenged by the actions of both the Central Powers and the Allies.