World War I Dates: U.S. Entered: 1917
The war to end all wars!
The war fought to make the world safe for democracy!
Who were the belligerents?
Central Powers Austria-Hungary Germany Bulgaria (Italy) Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
Allied Powers Great Britain France Russia United States (1917) 30 Nations
What were the causes of the war?
Primary Causes (Main causes of WWI) Militarism Alliance Systems Imperialism Nationalism
Militarism The glorification of armed strength… Nations built large armies and navies to be bigger and stronger than their neighbors… This led to an arms race
Alliance Systems Nations joined into alliances to provide mutual defense from common enemies Triple Entente - Great Britain, France, Russia Triple Alliance - Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy
Imperialism Desire of a nation to create an empire Need to control colonies in order to become self-sufficient Colonies serve three purposes – provide raw materials – provide a market place for products – serve as military bases to protect empire
Nationalism Strong sense of loyalty and duty to one’s nation or ethnic group Strong desire of a people to govern themselves free from the control of foreign rulers
What sparked the start of the war? Assassination of the heir to the Austria throne - Archduke Ferdinand Austria threatened Serbia… Russia mobilized it’s army to protect Serbia…. Germany declared war on Russia…. Great Britain & France declared war on Germany….
The U.S. enters the War Freedom of the seas was being threatened primarily by Germany Close economic ties with with Great Britain and France Close political ties with Great Britain Close cultural and heritage ties with Great Britain and France
U.S. Goals? Secure freedom of the seas Insure repayment of U.S. loans from European countries Make the world safe for democracy War to end all wars