Causes of the Great War

1st World War in history Great War or War to End all War Not called WWI until after WWII Total war Involved 60 nations and 6 continents

Influences of Spanish-American War US began to establish an international Empire Becoming an Industrial Power “Open Door Policy” Liberal Internationalism –Economic and Political Progress went hand in hand –“make the world safe for democracy”

Now Let’s Look at Some “isms”

Nationalism Countries proud of their heritage and culture Similar to patriotismSimilar to patriotism Ethnic groups of similar heritage wanted to free their oppressed brethren and unite their people into one country Germany wanted to expand its culture and political influence throughout Europe.Germany wanted to expand its culture and political influence throughout Europe.

Aggressive Nationalism

Imperialism France, Great Britain, Germany and Russia were establishing colonies in Africa and Asia economic and political control over other countries……economic and political control over other countries…… these countries were in competition for colonies

Cartoon- European grab bag European nations competing for colonies around the world…..Imperialism

Cartoon- European grab bag

Militarism European nations began an arms race as they competed for colonies around the world……

Militarism & Arms Race Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, British and Russia] in millions of dollars Increase in Defense Expenditures France10% Britain13% Russia39% Germany73% By 1906, President Roosevelt had built the US Navy into the 3 rd largest naval fleet in the world…. By 1906, President Roosevelt had built the US Navy into the 3 rd largest naval fleet in the world…. The Great White Fleet

Alliances balance of powerEuropean nations began forming military alliances with one another to maintain a balance of power …….. Triple AllianceTriple Entente Central PowersAllied Powers GermanyGreat Britain Austria-Hungary EmpireFrance Ottoman EmpireRussia

The Boiling Point Political Cartoon by Leonard Raven-Hill A 1912 political cartoon published in Punch magazine shows the boiling point of Balkan troubles

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family. Archduke was heir to the throne in the Austrian Hungarian Empire. His assassination June 28, 1914 eventually led to WWI. Garvillo Princip, a Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke. He was trying to gain allowances for his fellow Serbs who lived under Austrian rule. Franz Ferdinand’s funeral procession franz

alliances1 Austrian-Hungarian Empire controlled several ethic groups. Serbian nationalists wanted to untie Serbs who lived in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire with Serbia. This led to the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Sarajevo

1.June 28 Assassination at Sarajevo 2.July 28 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia 3.July 30 Russia began mobilization 4. August 1 Germany declared war on Russia alliances1

alliances2 5.August 3 Germany declared war on France 6. August 3 Great Britain declared war on Germany 7.August 6 Russia and Austria/Hungary at war. 8.August 12 Great Britain declared war on Austria/Hungary

Two Armed Camps! Allied Powers Central Powers Great Britain France Russia Italy Germany Austrian- Hungarian Empire Ottoman Empire

world map

Causes of WWI – MANIA! M ilitarism - policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war (ARMS RACE) A lliances – agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves PROBLEM: One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict A ssassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand I mperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically. N ationalism – extreme pride in one’s country

Three Phases which brought US Closer to War!! Discrimination against American shipping to Central Powers. –British Blockade –Credits and Loans $2 ½ billion to Allied Powers Less than $300 million to Central Powers –Exports $2.75 billion to Allied Powers $29 million to Central Powers

US tries to stay Neutral August 4, 1914 Wilson proclaims neutrality “Impartial in thought as well as deed/action.”

Phase #2 Submarines U-Boats –Advantages –Problems –Wolf packs

The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy. Germans introduced unrestricted submarine warfare with U-Boats Germans warned the world they would sink any ship they believed was carrying contraband to Great Britain.

U-Boats By 1918, Germans had sunk 6,500 allied ships. Two types small subs with a crew of 24 larger subs with a crew of by 1918

Lusitania ad

war zone

May 7, 1915, the Germans sunk the Lusitania which was British passenger liner. contraband (weapons) Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British. Killed 1,198 civilians including 128 Americans. “unrestricted submarine warfare”. U.S. and other countries outraged towards Germany because of “unrestricted submarine warfare”. international law US believed the Germans had violated international law of targeting civilians

Lusitania

After the sinking of the Lusitania, public opinion of most Americans was to go to war with Germany. Germany promised they would not sink anymore ships unless warning them first and providing safety for civilians. BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” ….

Sinking of the Arabic Sept. 1, 1915 British Liner- loss of 2 Americans Arabic Pledge--Germany would not sink any unarmed liners

Sussex Sunk: led to Sussex Pledge in March 24, Germany promised not to sink anymore ships. war zone X

Sussex Pledge Won’t sink any ships until Germany used adequate search & safety procedures Turning point in Wilson’s diplomacy

3 rd Phase- Making World Safe for Democracy In 1916, Wilson re-elected –“He kept us out of War” –277 vs. 254

All-Out Submarine Warfare Kaiser Wilhelm- 1917

alliance Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.... You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war Zimmerman notes Berlin, January 19, 1917 February unrestricted submarine warfare neutral On the first of February we intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.

Zimmerman code

zimmerman cartoon

When German submarines sank three American merchant ships in March 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.

Declaration of War April 2, 1917 Senators- 82 for 6 against Representatives- 373 for 50 against