Section 7.2 Watching Europe’s War

Today Agenda 7.2 Slide Show Presentations Homework Finish Reading 7.2

Today’s Objectives At the end of this lesson, you should be able to: Define Triple Entente/ Central Powers and list its member Define neutrality and describe its complexity &/or hypocrisy in American policy Identify the Zimmerman Note Identify Lusitania as the catalyst of America’s formal entry into WWI Identify major economic reasons for America’s entry into WWI

Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries for them from prayers or bells, Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,- The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

Introduction to WWI

What justifies Going to War? Ideology Why do nations go to war? Other Reasons? Economic needs Alliance Obligations Revenge Preemptive Strike National Prestige An Attack or Threat

Describe Europe on the Eve of War, June 1914 Russia, Aus- Hun, Ottoman Emp. vie for control of Balkans Russian, Germany, GB, France compete for empire Germany competes with GB’s naval supremacy Germany’s militarism threatens France and Russia Serbian Nationalists agitate to unite Southern Slavs

Balkan Peninsula In 1914 The Austro- Hungarian Empire controlled Bosnia, a territory with thousands of ethnic Serbs.

What events led to the outbreak of the Great War? JuneJulyAugust Archduke of Austria Assassinated in Sarajevo on 6/14/ Central Powers at war with Triple Entente in 8/4/14 Austria- Hungary declare war on Serbia 7/28/14 Wilson declares American neutrality 8/4/14

Ferdinand Assassinated

What was the Alliance system? Security guarantees between major European powers Central Powers Germany Austria- Hungary Ottoman Empire Triple Entente (Allies) France Great Britain Russia

Alliance System

Enthusiasm for War

Germany gained territory at first halted to a stalemate along the Western and Eastern Fronts Describe the nature of the fighting.

The Fronts

War was most destructive the world had seen up to that point Battle of Verdun (Feb-July 1916) –French lost 315 thousand –Germany lost 280 thousand Battle of the Somme –GB lost 60 thousand in one day Describe the nature of the fighting.

Battle of the Somme

Why were the casualties so high? Traditional Strategy + Advanced weaponry Infantry ‘charges’ –“Over the top!” Advanced weaponry –Machine gun –Artillery –Mustard gas –Barbed wire –Tanks Trench warfare Submarine warfare –U-Boats Dogfights

Agenda for Today Finish 7.2 Homework Finish reading 7.2 Begin reading 7.3 (by Thursday)

What was America’s official policy toward the war? Neutral “We must be impartial in thought as well as in action.” Despite diverse population of immigrants, most Americans supported this view.

American Neutrality

Was America really neutral? Strong economic ties to Allies –See Thomas Lamont quote on 216 British controlled flow of information Cut Transatlantic cable in 1914

Propaganda and Economic Impact

What happened to the Lusitania? British passenger ship Secretly carried American arms to the allies May 7, 1915 the Lusitania was sunk by German U-Boats

Lusitania

Describe the election of Wilson wins on anti-war platform –“He kept us out of war!” In reality America has sided with the Allies –$2.25 billion in loans –Attracted to post war investment –Wanted an American voice at peace settlement

What was the Zimmerman Note? Zimmerman Note –German cable to Mexico promised pre territory if Mexico side with Germany

Why did German U-boats begin to attack American shipping? British blockade of North Sea prevented food from entering Germany –Germany was starving & had nothing to lose Unrestricted Submarine Warfare resumed 1/31/1917 –Many US ship sent to bottom of Atlantic

Why does Wilson ask Congress to declare war? ‘To make the world safe for democracy’ Believed the “American System” would save the world "When properly directed, there is no people in the world not fitted for self- government." –Hoped to spread American Style democracy, capitalism, and Christian morality