WWI “The Great War” 1914-1919

On the Road to War France Loses the Franco-Prussian War Made German Empire powerful (military and industry) Wilhelm II ascends the German Throne Breaks up Alliances, which lead to France and Russia Forming an Alliance Russia Loses in the Russo-Japan War Reignites old tensions with The Austria-Hungry Empire Britain Fears German Power in Europe Makes alliances with France and Russia The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of Austria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtHh85xXLmA (Life in the Trenches)

Imperialism Colonization of Countries by World Powers

The Axis Powers Make the First Move Austria-Hungry Invades Serbia and Declares War Austria-Hungry continually defeated Germany Declares War on Russia Germany Declares War on France Invades Belgium Austria-Hungry and Austro-Germany Invade Poland

The Allies React Britain Declares War on Germany U.S. President Woodrow Declares Policy of US Neutrality Russia Invades Prussia Japan Declares War on Germany

Woodrow’s Policy of Neutrality Many Americans felt an “Old World War” Many immigrants had allegiances to different sides

The End of the First Year Turkey Enters the War Germans Bomb Britain Soldiers Cease War to Celebrate Christmas (Unofficial)

America Enters the War (1917) German U-Boats sink the Lusitania 159 US Citizens On Board Changed U.S. opinion about the war Used in recruitment slogans “Remember the Lusitania” The Zimmerman Telegram Translated by British Army Withheld from the US initially Germans offer U.S. Territory to Mexico for joining the German Cause

What the U.S. Offers Resources Not many soldiers as first, but draft quickly raised numbers Reinforcements boost morale of tired Allie Soldiers

Weapons of Warfare http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8nNJF1V1Pw (Trench Warfare) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y33b_e-cqGM (Digging Up Trenches) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QxtB6s-4oM (Chemical Weapons)

The Start Axis Powers Germany Austria-Hungry The Ottoman Empire Allie Powers U.S. Great Britain France Russia Japan The Start Axis Powers Germany Austria-Hungry The Ottoman Empire Bulgaria

Wilson’s 14 Points A Plan for Peace, “The War to End All Wars” Only leader to publically outline his goals Germany receives no blame for war Helped generate ideas for the Treaty of Versailles Wilson Received Nobel Peace Prize for WWI peace efforts (1919)

The Treaty of Versailles Finalized at the Paris Peace Conference Germany not invited France, Britain, US in attendance Given to Germany with a 3-week deadline Germany sent back several complaints that were ignored Established the League of Nations Prevented Germany from building an army (100,000) Made Germany Pay for War Made Germany Admit Blame for War German leader resigned rather than sign Germany forced to sign due to weakened state of military US does not sign