World War I: The Great War EQ: How did the US entry into World War I change the nation?

The 4 M.A.I.N. Causes of WW1

Causes of World War I Militarism Expanding a nation’s military Militarists believe that the military should have political power Is necessary to build and protect an empire

Causes of World War I Alliances European countries developed alliances to protect each other in dangerous or threatening situations Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy Triple Entente Great Britain, France, Russia

Causes of World War I Imperialism Territorial expansions in Africa and Asia Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Russia Germany felt left behind in the “competition for colonies”

Causes of World War I Nationalism Loyalty and devotion to your country Increasing efforts for ethnic groups to govern themselves Italy, Germany, and the Balkans

Trouble in the Balkans The Powder Keg of Europe The Balkans were a cluster of nations in eastern Europe, between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires. Their location between multiple waterways made them strategically important, so European powers were focused on events there.

Trouble in the Balkans The Powder Keg of Europe Two wars in 1912 and 1913 in the Balkans led to ethnic and nationalist tensions. Serbian nationalist groups like the “Black Hand” emerged with the goal of freeing Serbia of Austria-Hungarian influence

Assassination Heir to the Austrian throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand sent to Sarajevo for a public appearance The Archduke and his wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip

4.9 feet

Franz Ferdinand's uniform

Princip, seated in the center of the first row, on trial Princip, seated in the center of the first row, on trial. He was nineteen years old at the time and too young to receive the death penalty. There was a twenty-year minimum age limit required by law. Instead, he received the maximum sentence of twenty years in prison. His cell at Terezin. He was held in harsh conditions which were worsened by the war, and contracted tuberculosis. He died in April 1918.

Mobilization of Europe WW1 Oversimplified

Mobilization of Europe Austria gave Serbia an ultimatum: Serbian officials must hand the assassin over to the Austrian government for the trial This ultimatum kicked off the system of alliances Germany supported Austria’s ultimatum Russia promised protection to Serbia

Mobilization of Europe Russians mobilized their military first to support Serbia Marched soldiers to the Austrian/Russian border Hoped to scare the Austrians and Germans into backing down Germany attacked first, in response to the mobilization and threats Invaded Belgium to gain quick access to France Hoped defeat France quickly, and end the war quickly

Stalemate Western front became stalemate due to trench warfare Thousands of deaths, little gain for either side War of Attrition

Innovations in Warfare Mass-produced weapons Submarines (U-boats) Poison gas Tanks Airplanes Machine guns Led to high death tolls

The U.S. at the Start of WW1 The Monroe Doctrine: Told European nations to stay out of the Western hemisphere Also said the U.S. would stay out of European events “You mind your business, we will mind our business”

Support for Neutrality The war was a European fight for imperialism United States should set an example of peace Immigrants from central and eastern Europe hoped the Central Powers would win

Support for Joining the War Americans felt close historical ties to Great Britain British propaganda leaked into the US United States’ economic success depended on trade with Great Britain

British propaganda turned public opinion in support of the war

The U.S. at the Start of WW1 The U.S. adopted a policy of isolationism or neutrality Did not pick either side and decided to stay out of the war

The War Affects the U.S. Economy U.S economy was in a recession when WW1 broke out Both sides relied on the U.S. for goods, food, and loans US factories manufactured and shipped war supplies to Europe US banks loaned money $2.2 billion to Allied countries Only $27 million to Germany

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Germany’s policy of using U-boats to sink any and all ships in the waters surrounding Great Britain Sunk an average of two British ships each day in 1915

Sinking of the Lusitania 1915: German U-Boats sunk the Lusitania Part of their policy of unrestricted Submarine Warfare Secretly carrying war supplies to Great Britain Killed 1,200, including 128 Americans American public outraged

Zimmerman Telegram German minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a telegram to the Mexican government asking Mexico to join Germany in a war against the U.S. In return, Germany would help Mexico reclaim land lost before and after the Mexican-American War President Woodrow Wilson realized war was inevitable and asked Congress for a declaration of war

Two Sides Allied POwers Central Powers United States Britain Russia France Austria-Hungary Germany The Ottoman Empire Go back to the chart at the beginning of your notes and add the U.S. to the Allied Powers

The United States Mobilizes The Selective Service Act Passed by Congress in 1917 Required all men to register with the government Created a database used to randomly select men for military service About 10% of those registered were drafted Only 2/3 of those drafted (about 2 million) sent to Europe

The United States Mobilizes Segregation in the military 400,000 African American men enlisted More than half experienced combat 369th Infantry saw more conflict than any other African American regiment 2 men earned the “Croix de Guerre” (France’s Medal of Honor)

The United States Mobilizes Women were not allowed to fight on the front lines Many women participated in non-combat roles Secretaries Nurses Telephone operators