World War One

Start of World War One Causes of WWI Imperialism Nationalism Alliance System Militarism

Start of World War One The southeastern region of Europe was known as a “powder keg” Many national groups in the region tried to break free from Austria-Hungary

Start of World War One War Begins June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to Austro-Hungarian throne) is assassinated by Gavrilo Princip

Start of World War One Austria Hungary accused Serbia of the assassination and declared war The alliance system quickly drew more countries into the war

Start of World War One Britain France Russia Germany Austria-Hungary Allied Powers (Triple Entente) Central Powers Britain France Russia Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire

The Deadliest War Both sides thought it would be a quick victory, but reality quickly set in A stalemate started on the Western Front and the battle would drag on for 3 years without either side gaining a clear victory The Western Front saw the use of trench warfare

The Deadliest War New Technology made the war more lethal Airplanes Armored tanks Machine Guns Poison Gas

American Neutrality President Woodrow Wilson wanted to keep the U.S. out of the war. Americans were split on who to side with

American Neutrality American businesses sold supplies to both sides, but a majority of trading was to the Allies and Britain

American Neutrality The Lusitania German U-boats practiced unrestricted warfare May 7, 1915 a U-boat sank A British passenger ship the Lusitania 1,200 people died (128 were Americans)

U.S. Enters The War Wilson won reelection in 1916 and promised to keep the U.S. out of the war However, Germany kept using its unrestricted warfare

U.S. Enters The War Zimmermann Telegram Britain intercepted a telegram from Germany to Mexico Arthur Zimmermann (German Foreign Minister) proposed that Mexico enter the war on Germany’s side and attack the U.S. In return Germany would help Mexico get back New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona Soon after the U.S. entered the war (April 6, 1917)

Building the Military The U.S. had a very large navy, but a small army (only 125,000 men) The U.S. had to mobilize quickly in order to be able to contribute to the war effort

Building the Military The U.S. did have men volunteer for service, but not enough and they had to institute a draft Selective Service Act was passed and it required men between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for military draft By war’s end almost four million Americans had served

Building the Military Women in the Military Women were not subject to the draft More than 30,000 women volunteered for service and were nurses or performed clerical work

Building the Military A diverse force About one in five recruits had been born in foreign lands About 380,000 African Americans also served during the war Served in all black units African Americans were mainly held out of combat roles and instead were forced to unload ships, work in kitchens, or construction