World War I Begins Chapter 11, Section 1

I believe that the first vote I cast was the most significant vote and a most significant act on the part of women, because women are going to have to stop war. I felt at the time that the first woman [in Congress] should take the first stand, that the first time the first woman had a chance to say no to war she should say it. -Jeannette Rankin: First Lady in Congress

Causes of World War I America wanted to stay out of WWI! Why? But this was difficult because of 4 key reasons

Nationalism The devotion to the interests and culture of one’s nation Think “USA, USA!” Nationalism can lead to competition among nations (we are in industrial competition with Germany) Ethnic groups in a country feel resentment towards domination by others Explain

Imperialism Why did imperialism play a role? They (European countries) built empires (took over other countries) America joined in Soon European countries want to control the same countries Think about the division for Africa and the Berlin Conference

Militarism Empires are expensive to build and maintain This meant… European countries tried to build the biggest and best militaries so others would not mess with them They used the military as a diplomatic tool “You are going to do this, or I will break you”

Alliance System Defensive alliances in Europe break into two groups Triple Entente – they will later be known as the Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and Russia Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. This will change The problem…if one goes to war, they ALL GO TO WAR

Assassination Leads to War Europe is a keg of gun powder Because of the four reasons states before tensions are high It needed a spark to explode and the spark came from an assassination Assassination of Archduke

Outcome Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the next in line to rule Austria (remember monarchies) He was killed while visiting an area of his empire that wanted to be free (imperialisms) The people responsible, Serbs, who belonged to a nation aligned with the Allies (Alliances) Serbia and Austria are now at war Russia backed Serbia, Germany backed Austria And the dominos fall

Part II

The Fighting Starts August 3, 1914 Germany invades Belgium Germany is executing the Schlieffen Plan Hold Russia Push through Belgium to Paris quickly

Germans Sweep Into France Belgium was neutral so…Germany’s actions were condemned worldwide On September 1914 Germany has pushed into France where their advance is finally halted Trench Warfare begins Let’s discuss

Americans Question Neutrality In the beginning a vast number of Americans did not want to join the war Reasons people wanted to join: Immigrants from a country involved Economic ties Want to be a global power

War Hits Home America lent lots of resources to the Allied powers In 1917 America mobilizes (get’s ready) for war British Blockade: Britain blockaded all German ports, this meant nothing could get in via the sea America was still trading with Germany and this made a lot of businesses upset with Britain

War Hits Home Germany response by declaring unrestricted submarine warfare Bascially, we will sink anything that comes into this area They sink the Lusitania which carried 128 Americans America is outraged Germany continues to sink passenger ships America warns them to stop President Wilson keeps calling for peace

Zimmermann Note

On April 2, 1917 America is at war