WWI

Militarism: An increase or build up of weapons or military power. Long-Term Causes Militarism: An increase or build up of weapons or military power. Germany built up its army and navy and this led to hostility with Britain and France.

Alliances: Agreements between different groups of nations to defend each other in the case of an attack. Ex: Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire united and Germany was brought into a conflict that they would not directly benefit from.

The two sides of fighting: Triple Alliance (Central Powers) Austria-Hungary, Germany, Turkey and their colonies. Triple Entente (Allies) Serbia, Russia, France, Britain and later Italy. ***The United States was neutral at the start of the war but would join the Allies.

Imperialism: When a powerful nation takes over or exerts influence over a lesser nation. Ex: Major empires in Europe competed for the same colonies. Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire both wanted to dominate Serbia.

Nationalism: A sense of national identity or pride. Ex: smaller ethnic groups fought to hold on to their identities despite threats of take-over by larger nations.

Immediate Cause of World War I The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. A Serbian extremist killed him. Serbia had an alliance with Russia and this got all other major European countries involved.

Advisors to the President!!! You are to imagine that you are serving as an advisor to the President of the United States. You are to give him your best advice on each of the following scenarios. You must be sure your advice is based on sound reasoning, facts, data, and knowledge of military, political, economic, and social ramifications of each decision. The President is depending on YOU!

With your partner: On a sheet of paper write what # situation you’re responding to. Write your response to each situation as we go through the activity ONE of you should be prepared to share your response

What should the President lead the nation in doing? Situation One War breaks out in Europe between two great alliances, called Alliance A and Alliance B. The issues under dispute have nothing to do with the United States. Both A and B want to buy American goods. What should the President lead the nation in doing? Sell to both sides Sell to only one side Do not sell to either side Other (specify)

How should the President react? Situation Two Alliance A attacks and quickly defeats a small neutral nation. Gruesome stories appear in American newspapers about the atrocities committed by Alliance A against the people of the defeated country. How should the President react? Do nothing, since it does not concern the United States Stop selling products to Alliance A Issue a statement condemning Alliance A’s actions Declare war on Alliance A Other (specify)

Situation Three A submarine of Alliance A sinks a luxury liner belonging to Alliance B. Over one thousand people drown, including one hundred vacationing Americans. Alliance A brags about its action. What should the U.S. do?

Situation Four Alliance A promises to stop sinking liners without first warning them and providing for the passengers’ safety. Alliance A soon disregards the promise and resumes unrestricted submarine warfare on neutral American ships. What should the U.S. do?

Situation Five America learns that Alliance A has asked Mexico, in the event American enters the war, to aid in an attack against the United States. In return, Mexico will be given parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona that were originally hers. What should the U.S. do?

America’s Involvement The American public was divided over whether or not to get involved in Europe’s problem. Pacifists believed that war was morally wrong, America shouldn’t be concerned with problems from another area (isolationism) and that we should focus on the problems of our own country (progressive reforms). Supporters of war wanted to help their ancestors from their homelands.

Germany’s ships were hurting U. S Germany’s ships were hurting U.S. trade and America traded heavily with most of the nations in the Triple Entente. $$$$$$$ German U-boats (submarine’s) sank the British cruise liner the Lusitania. 128 Americans on board died. Zimmerman Telegraph: A message intercepted by the U.S. in which Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico if the U.S. entered the war.

America could not stay out of the war after the Russian Revolution in 1917. With the loss of Russia, the Allies did not stand a chance against Germany and her allies. Woodrow Wilson said that our main reason for getting involved in the war should be to “make the world safe for democracy”.