World War I

Causes of WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

Militarism Countries were building up their armies

Alliances Triple Entente Triple Alliance Great Britain France Russia Germany Austria-Hungary Italy

The Alliance system

Imperialism

nationalism

Label the following: Britain France Italy Germany Austria- Hungary The Balkans Russia Africa Belgium

The spark that ignited wwi What “sparked” World War I? Unrest in the Balkans Bosnians felt abused under the rule of Austria-Hungary Goal: To create a “Greater Serbia” (unite the Slavic people) This movement was strongly supported by Mother Russia This is NATIONALISM

The Assassination June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria’s heir to the throne) was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb Nationalist while on a good will trip to Sarajevo, Bosnia. This spark would ignite the war.

The Assassination cont. Shot by Gavrillo Princip, a member of the Black Hand Causes Horrible History Video History Channel Video – only first part

Alliances start playing out Austria declared war on Serbia Russia supported Serbia (mother country w/ethnic ties) Germany sided w/Austria & declared war on Russia France was obligated to help Russia & Great Britain to help France By August 5, 1914, Europe was engulfed in war!

How the alliances played out July 28 – AH declares war on Serbia Aug 1 – Germany declares war on Russia Aug 2 – France invaded by Germany Aug 3 – Germany declares war on France Aug 4 – Britain declares are on Germany Aug 6 – AH declares war on Russia Aug 12 – France declares war on AH Aug 12 – England declares war on AH

Meant to avoid a 2 front war failed Schlieffen Plan Meant to avoid a 2 front war failed The Frontline: where the fighting is taking place Western Front would mostly be in France Area between armies was known as “no man’s land” Fighting two fronts puts a giant strain on resources and man power

Video: Schlieffen Plan

The 2 sides of WWI The Allies (the good guys) Germany Austria-Hungary Central Powers (the bad guys) The Allies (the good guys) Germany Austria-Hungary Turkey Bulgaria Italy gives up their alliance with Germany and joins the Allies England France Russia The US (joins in April, 1917)

THE great War Eventually 50 countries would join the war

America Joins World War I

Before the US joined the war Practiced neutrality Problems with neutrality Traded with both sides but we had closer bonds with Great Britain (we were more like them: language, government, customs) By 1917, we had leant $2.3 billion to the Allies

Sinking of the Lusitania (May 7, 1915) Problem #1 Sinking of the Lusitania (May 7, 1915) 128 Americans die

Problem #2 Germany was using unrestricted submarine warfare

Problem #3 The Zimmerman note – a secret note to Mexico, asking them to declare war on the US

Problem #4 Russia leaves the war in 1917 Bye, Bye Russia

April 6, 1917 The US enters the war