W.W.I. STARTS EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD BEHIND THE START OF THE WAR

REASONS WHY GERMANY WANTS WAR There had not been a major war since 1870 in Europe (Franco- Prussian War) Germany wants to isolate France, long standing rival Germany wants to prove it’s worth They want to industrialize (have a huge navy like England)

REASONS WHY FRANCE WANTS WAR Angry at Germany since they lost Alsalce Lorraine during Franco Prussian War France is far behind in technology and want quick gains (industrialize) Hatred toward Germany

REASONS WHY RUSSIA WANTS WAR Russia is far behind in technology they need quick catch up Russia recently lost the Russo- Japanese War (huge embarrassment) Mad at Austria Hungary for annexing Bosnia Upset with Germany for not renewing their non-aggression pact Germany is trying to ally with Ottoman Empire (Bosporus and Dardenelles Straits) Germany allies with Austria Hungary--large enough to threaten Russia Russia wants to expand their empire for a warm water port Ally themselves with France to protect themselves from Germany

REASON WHY ENGLAND WANTS WAR England was the model nation in Europe (strong navy lots of colonies) Germany wants big navy (threatens England) and leads to an arms race Leads to development of things like dreadnoughts They ally with France to protect themselves from Germany

THE POWDERKEG BLOWS UP Serbia was an ally of Russia Austria Hungary controls it Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand Alliances pull all nations into war

4 REASONS HISTORIANS BELIEVE W.W.I. STARTED #1. Nationalism: Many different ethnic groups wanted to break away from their controlling nations (pride in their country) #2: Imperialism: There is only so much land around the world left to take and each nation wants more

CONT #3 Militarism: Arms races develop between nations, they want to test their weapons #4 Alliances: The alliances we mentioned led to each nation indirectly getting involved in this conflict (2 sides that developed were Allies England France Russia and the Central Powers Germany Austria Hungary Ottoman Empire

U.S. IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE WAR We were an ocean away and wanted to stay that way Both sides took advantage of American neutrality British ships block imports to Germany (people need food) our exports quadruple to England Germany releases their U-Boats

SUBMARINE WARFARE Germans begin to sink unarmed ships (unrestricted submarine warfare) Lusitania sunk in 1915, 128 Americans die 1916 Sussex is sunk Leads to Sussex Pledge-- prohibits Germany from using unrestricted submarine warfare This keeps us out the war for a little more time