The War to End All Wars…….Until World War II

M. A. I. N. Causes for the War Militarism- Build up of military (mobilization) Countries begin to compete against each other for the biggest army Better to attack first than be attacked

M. A. I. N. Causes for the War Alliances Two competing Alliance systems Central Powers- Austria-Hungary, Germany and Ottoman Empire Allies- France, Russia, and Great Britain Once one member enters into a war it can escalate to involve all members

M. A. I. N. Causes for the War Possession of colonies seen as power Imperialism Possession of colonies seen as power Competition for land increased tension among the superpowers One country’s interest could threaten another country’s interest.

M. A. I. N. Causes for the War Nationalism Belief that Ethnic groups should have their own nation. Belief that one’s own country is better than others

The “Powder Keg” of Europe Nationalism led to the creation of new independent nations in the Balkans This led to the different ethnic groups to want their own nations in Austria- Hungary These demands threatened to break up Austria- Hungary.

Balkans

The Eve of World War I July 1914- Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian Empire was assassinated in Sarajevo by Garvilo Princip of Bosnia. Austria- Hungary blamed Serbia for helping him. Austria- Hungary invades Serbia Russia helps Serbia, and Germany helps Austria- Hungary. Alliance system in effect!!

Trench Warfare

Military Technology of WW I

Total War The use of all and every weapon available World War I was not just a war for soldiers or military structures. Included civilians and civilian related areas Anything that could decrease the ability for the enemy to fight was used

Russia and the War Russia enters the war and loses battle after battle Food and supplies are cut and people begin to riot Tsar Nicholas II (King) was overthrown and executed Bolsheviks come to power, withdraw from the war and established the first Communist government

U.S. Enters the War German U-Boats threatened and sunk U.S. ships they thought were bringing supplies the Allies. Zimmerman note tried encourage Mexico to help Germany attack the U.S. U.S. enters the war because of German aggression and to safeguard the seas for the U.S.

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points

Fourteen Points and the League of Nations Woodrow Wilson came up with 14 points (ways) that would help end the war peacefully. The League of Nations would be created to solve international disputes without warfare. (Point 14) Germany was in favor of the 14 points to end the war but Great Britain and France felt it did not punish Germany enough. The League of Nations never succeeded because the U.S. voted not to participate in the League.

The Treaty of Versailles Germany was forced to take the blamed for the war through the War Guilt Clause Germany was forced to pay large war reparations that it could not pay back Military was reduced to a small police force and was not allowed to make any weapons. Germany territories were now legally controlled by other countries- Mandate System

Unpaid War Reparations Affect U.S.!!! Germany was unable to pay the large reparations to France and Great Britain. France and Great Britain were unable to pay off their loans received from the U.S. U.S. went into a economic depression due to default of the loans