Causes of WWI

Before the War Roots of WWI go back to the 1870s Long term causes of the war: MAIN – Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism German Empire created 1871 Rapidly industrialized Large army and navy Alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary (controlled southeastern Europe) Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria- Hungary and Italy (changes sides) Later becomes the Central Powers)

Militarism and Alliance System German army doubled from 1870-1914 New Large navy threatened Great Britain Created an arms race Russia feared Germany would invade to expand Russia, France, and Great Britain unite against German threat and form the Triple Entente

Imperialism Large European nations carved up the world Africa, Asia, and other parts of Europe Austria-Hungary controlled majority of the Balkans Annexed Bosnia in 1908 Area of ethnic Serbians, Croats, Romanians Resisted control by a powerful Empire Pushed for independence and creation of their own nation Russia supported the Serbs

Nationalism Feelings of intense pride in homeland Germany wanted their “day in the sun” 12 nationalities in AH alone Inspired Balkan territories to want independence from imperialist AH and create their own nation Yugoslavia Leads to the immediate cause of the war The Assassination of heir to the AH throne – Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The Assassination June 28 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Bosnian capital of Sarajevo Promoting Austro-Hungarian rule in the Balkan region Bosnian Nationalist Gavarilo Princip assassinates the Archduke Member of Serbian terrorist group Against rule by the AH Empire AH immediately declares ware on Serbia Blamed them for the attack

The War Begins AH declares war on Serbia Serbia backed by Russia Russia backed by France and Great Britain Russia mobilizes army on German border August 1 1914 – Germany declares war on Russia France declares war on Germany 2 days later “The Great War” 1914-1918 US stays neutral and doesn’t join until 1917

America Enters WWI

The War Escalates Triple Entente = Allies (Britain, France, Russia) Central Powers = Germany, Austria Hungary New weaponry creates a stalemate along the western front Both sides forced to dig trenches Neither side gains much ground 2 million Russians die in 1914 alone US practicing isolationism Wilson declares US neutral Public mostly supported Allies Trade reasons Gave $$ and supplies to Britain Some banks lent $ to Germany

The Lusitania British began intercepting ships to blockade trade to Germany Germany retaliated by stating it would sink any boat in British waters Deployed submarines called U-boats Stop shipment of food and supplies May 1915 – British passenger ship Lusitania shot by German U-Boat Killed 1200 passengers – 128 Americans Angered Americans and many began to favor war

Wilson Keeps US Out Wilson demands German’s to stop unrestricted sub warfare Sussex Pledge Deal between the US and Germany Germany would not attack ships US avoids war Helps Wilson win re-election in 1916 “He kept us out of the war”

Zimmerman Telegram Arthur Zimmerman sent telegram to German ambassador in Mexico If Mexico became a German ally, Germany would give all territories lost to the US ( Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) Leaked to the public in 1917 Americans realized war was necessary Germany goes back to unrestricted sub warfare Sank 6 American ships US declares war in April 1917 Wilson – “must make the world safe for democracy”

The Home Front US gov’t increased taxes and sold bonds to pay for the war “Liberty bonds”- investments that are paid back later Americans that didn’t serve could still play a part 1 million women joined the workforce Factories, shipyards, railroads Great Migration Thousands of African American’s left the South to work in the north “Selling the War” Committee on Public Information Use propaganda to gain support for the war

Building the Military Only 300,000 soldiers Selective Service Act Required all men 21-30 to sign up for a draft Randomly selected through a lottery 2 million volunteered Racism African American’s forced to be cooks, laborers, and laundrymen