Fierce rivalries developed in Europe over military power and land in Europe Nationalism-many countries wanted freedom from the control of other countries European countries competed for land in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East

 Fearing attack from rivals, several European countries formed alliances agreeing to defend one another.

ALLIED POWERS CENTRAL POWERS  Great Britain  France  Russia  Serbia  Belgium  US  Germany  Austria-Hungary  Bulgaria  Hungary  Turkey

 Austria-Hungary (C) was in control of land that Serbia (A) believed was theirs. Angered, a Serbian assassinated the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne. In return Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

 Russia (A) decides to join the war to protect their trade route from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea  Russia joined Serbia in the fight in 1914.

 Germany joined Austria-Hungary (C) in the war. Germany declared war on Russia when Russia refused to not help Serbia (A).  Germany (C) also declared war on France when France would not disclose whether they were going to fight on the side of Russia (A)

 Germany (C) invaded Belgium when the King refused to let them cross the country to invade France (A). As a result, Great Britain (A) declared war on Germany to help Belgium.

 Both the Allied and Central Powers fought fiercely. Trenches hundreds of miles long and protected by barbed-wire were dug by both sides.

 Soldiers ate and slept in the flooded and rat filled trenches. Trenches were shot at and filled with poison gases. Many thought the killing would never end.

 The US stayed out of the war at first believing that other countries should handle their own affairs (Isolationism).

On May 17, 1915 a German sub torpedoed and sank the British ship Lusitania US citizens on board the ship were killed Early 1917, Germany (C) asked Mexico to help them in the war in return for helping Mexico get back land it lost to the US Germany sank 3 US owned trade ships it suspected was carrying weapons, killing US sailors.

 President Woodrow Wilson decides to join the war hoping that the US would make the world “safe for democracy”.  April 6, 1917 war is declared on Germany

 US troops in Europe increased the Allied strength, and caused the war to turn in favor of the Allied Powers.

Poison gases were used, which led to the gas mask Airplanes were used to drop bombs and fire machine guns Machine guns were new Tanks were used for the 1 st time Submarines were used greatly to destroy ships

 Gave $ to the Red Cross  Encouraged young men to join the army  People grew gardens to feed people at home and overseas  Sent food overseas  Women took over men’s jobs that were at war

 Finally, after winning a battle in France involving over 1 million US troops, the Central Powers surrendered –  November 11, This day is now known as Veteran’s Day.  It was a costly and deadly battle called “The War to End All Wars”, because no could imagine it happening again.

 In January of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson met with Allied leaders in Versailles, France to create a peace treaty.  The Treaty of Versailles was the official end to the war.

 The treaty demanded that Germany pay heavy fines and not rebuild their army.  Created the League of Nations