Ch 12.1 Notes “The Road to War”

Imperialism Countries were competing for natural resources, and the most desirable colonies were already under control of major European Powers. Other European countries realized that the only way to gain control of resource rich countries was to take them from other Europeans

Militarism European Powers had begun to buildup their armies in preparation for war. Also, military factions were gaining more and more influence in European government

Nationalism (A) countries were acting in their own self interest out of national pride, and (B), many ethnic groups in Europe were longing for countries that reflected their own ethnic heritage

Alliances in order to promote national security, many nations signed treaties that bound them to other nations in case of war. If one nation was attacked, then the others would automatically help.

The assassination of Francis Ferdinand caused Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia

Modern Warfare Machine guns Rapid fire artillery Poison gas shells Tanks Submarines

Early Stages of the War Germany wins quick victories in the west vs France and Britain Russia attacks Germany from the east, diverting troops from the Western Front (two front war)

Stalemate Lack of manpower causes Germany’s attack to bog down in the West This stalemate leads to Trench Warfare

“Somme. The whole history of the world cannot contain a more ghastly word.” —Friedrich Steinbrecher

Trench Warfare

British Poet Wilfred Owen - KIA "“No Man's Land is pocketmarked like the body of foulest disease and its odour is the breath of cancer...No Man's Land under snow is like the face of the moon, chaotic, crater-ridden, uninhabitable, awful, the abode of madness. Hideous landscapes, vile noises....everything unnatural, broken, blastered; the distortion of the dead, whose unburiable bodies sit outside the dug-outs all day, all night, the most execrable sights on earth."

Civilian Impact Soldiers were still fighting with 18th century military techniques, which caused incredibly high casualty rates. Civilians were impacted because of naval blockades that cutoff food supplies to entire countries

American Sentiments… Many Irish and German immigrants had strong anti-British feelings Americans of English descent opposed the Germans

Most Americans opposed the autocratic Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, because they saw his rule as an affront to democracy

Foreign investments Americans had billions of dollars in foreign investments, and entering the war would endanger their money

Preparedness Movement The idea that America remain neutral while building up its armed forces (militarism)

The Peace Movement Former Populists, Progressives, Social Reformers, Suffragists, and Women