World War I

Causes of WW I - nationalism In Europe, countries competed for military power and ownership of European lands. In Europe, countries competed for military power and ownership of European lands. People had strong feelings of nationalism. People had strong feelings of nationalism. Nationalism is a love of one’s country and the desire to have that country free from the control of others. Nationalism is a love of one’s country and the desire to have that country free from the control of others. Nationalism made it difficult for countries to cooperate. Nationalism made it difficult for countries to cooperate.

Causes of WW I- imperialism When one country takes over another, it is called imperialism. When one country takes over another, it is called imperialism. In the 19 th and early 20 th centuries, Britain, France, and other European nations were seizing territory in Africa and Asia. In the 19 th and early 20 th centuries, Britain, France, and other European nations were seizing territory in Africa and Asia. Many smaller countries sought out alliances to protect themselves from being taken over by an imperialist nation. Many smaller countries sought out alliances to protect themselves from being taken over by an imperialist nation.

Causes of WWI - alliances Afraid of attacks, several European countries formed alliances. Afraid of attacks, several European countries formed alliances. An alliance is an agreement among nations to defend one another. An alliance is an agreement among nations to defend one another. If one ally is attacked, the other members promise to come to help. If one ally is attacked, the other members promise to come to help. The two alliances were the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. The two alliances were the Allied Powers and the Central Powers.

Two Great Alliances In 1914, two great alliances (partnerships between countries) had developed: In 1914, two great alliances (partnerships between countries) had developed: The Allied Powers were: Britain, France and Russia. The Allied Powers were: Britain, France and Russia. The Central Powers were: Austria- Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and the Ottoman Empire, also known as Turkey. The Central Powers were: Austria- Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and the Ottoman Empire, also known as Turkey.

Fighting Begins in Europe In 1914, Austria-Hungary was in control of land that Serbia believed it owned. On June 28, 1914, a Serbian assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. In 1914, Austria-Hungary was in control of land that Serbia believed it owned. On June 28, 1914, a Serbian assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Every major European country was soon involved in the war. Every major European country was soon involved in the war. Originally it was called The Great War. Later the war became known as World War I (WWI). Originally it was called The Great War. Later the war became known as World War I (WWI). Most of the fighting in WW I was on two fronts: the Eastern Front (in Central and Eastern Europe) and the Western Front (in Belgium and France). Most of the fighting in WW I was on two fronts: the Eastern Front (in Central and Eastern Europe) and the Western Front (in Belgium and France).

New Kind of Warfare Soldiers on each side dug a system of trenches. Soldiers on each side dug a system of trenches. A “no-man’s land” – the land between trenches that neither side controlled – spread out between the opposing armies. Soldiers ate and slept in the trenches, which were often flooded or filled with rats. Some trench systems were as long as 400 miles. A “no-man’s land” – the land between trenches that neither side controlled – spread out between the opposing armies. Soldiers ate and slept in the trenches, which were often flooded or filled with rats. Some trench systems were as long as 400 miles. Each side shot at the other’s trenches or sent poison gases into them. Each side shot at the other’s trenches or sent poison gases into them.

Isolationism At first, the United States stayed out of the war and did not join an alliance. At first, the United States stayed out of the war and did not join an alliance. The U.S. had a policy of isolationism. This meant that the U.S. preferred to remain neutral and let the European countries handle their own problems. The U.S. had a policy of isolationism. This meant that the U.S. preferred to remain neutral and let the European countries handle their own problems. President Woodrow Wilson and many Americans did not want the U.S. to choose sides. President Woodrow Wilson and many Americans did not want the U.S. to choose sides.

President Woodrow Wilson In 1916, President Wilson was elected again as President of the United States. In 1916, President Wilson was elected again as President of the United States. His campaign slogan was “He kept us out of the war.” His campaign slogan was “He kept us out of the war.”

The United States enters the war In early 1917, German leaders said that U-boats would attack all ships in British waters. In early 1917, German leaders said that U-boats would attack all ships in British waters. U-boats sank three American merchant (cargo) ships killing many Americans. U-boats sank three American merchant (cargo) ships killing many Americans. When a German submarine sank a passenger ship called the Lusitania, killing 1200 people including 128 Americans, people cried out for the U.S. to get involved. When a German submarine sank a passenger ship called the Lusitania, killing 1200 people including 128 Americans, people cried out for the U.S. to get involved. It wasn’t until a German telegram was intercepted and printed in papers suggesting an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the U.S. that Wilson was ready for war. The telegram was called the “Zimmerman Note.” It wasn’t until a German telegram was intercepted and printed in papers suggesting an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the U.S. that Wilson was ready for war. The telegram was called the “Zimmerman Note.” On April 2, 1917 President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy.” On April 2, 1917 President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy.” On April 6, 1917, Congress declared war on Germany and the United States entered WWI. On April 6, 1917, Congress declared war on Germany and the United States entered WWI.

America at War American forces began landing in France in June American forces began landing in France in June The arrival of American troops in Europe dramatically increased the fighting strength of the Allied Powers, who had already been fighting for three years. The arrival of American troops in Europe dramatically increased the fighting strength of the Allied Powers, who had already been fighting for three years. More than 4 million American soldiers, sailors, and marines fought in World War I. More than 4 million American soldiers, sailors, and marines fought in World War I.

New Technologies When Americans first arrived in France to fight the war, they lived in trenches or ditches dug in the ground. When Americans first arrived in France to fight the war, they lived in trenches or ditches dug in the ground. Airplanes were used in WWI. When fighter planes fought each other in the air, it was called a “dog fight.” Airplanes were used in WWI. When fighter planes fought each other in the air, it was called a “dog fight.” Soldiers faced new weapons including: submarines, machine guns, bombs, tanks, and mustard gas. Soldiers faced new weapons including: submarines, machine guns, bombs, tanks, and mustard gas.

War’s Impact at Home In 1917, a poster of “Uncle Sam” was used to encourage people to join the United States Army. In 1917, a poster of “Uncle Sam” was used to encourage people to join the United States Army. There were fewer hands to work the farms with the men off at war. Because of this, less food was being produced. There were fewer hands to work the farms with the men off at war. Because of this, less food was being produced. People started raising vegetables in “victory gardens”. Town squares and parks across the U.S. were dug up and planted with food crops to help feed people at home and overseas. People started raising vegetables in “victory gardens”. Town squares and parks across the U.S. were dug up and planted with food crops to help feed people at home and overseas.

Women The U.S. government did not allow women to fight in the war. The U.S. government did not allow women to fight in the war. Many women took over factory jobs left by men who had gone to fight in the war. Women helped to produce weapons, tanks, and ammunition. Many women took over factory jobs left by men who had gone to fight in the war. Women helped to produce weapons, tanks, and ammunition. Some women became mechanics or farm workers. Others became police officers. Some went to Europe as nurses or ambulance drivers. Some women became mechanics or farm workers. Others became police officers. Some went to Europe as nurses or ambulance drivers. Thousands of women joined the Army Thousands of women joined the Army or Navy as clerks and telegraph or Navy as clerks and telegraph operators. operators.

War Bonds To pay the cost of fighting the war, the government increased taxes. To pay the cost of fighting the war, the government increased taxes. The U.S. government also borrowed money by selling war bonds to Americans. The government promised to pay back the cost of each bond plus interest. The U.S. government also borrowed money by selling war bonds to Americans. The government promised to pay back the cost of each bond plus interest. About one in every five Americans bought war bonds. About one in every five Americans bought war bonds.

The War Ends On November 11, 1918, the Germans gave up and the Central Powers surrendered. They signed an agreement to end fighting called an armistice. On November 11, 1918, the Germans gave up and the Central Powers surrendered. They signed an agreement to end fighting called an armistice. Today, November 11 th is celebrated as Veteran’s Day to remember the Americans who fought in World War I and our nations other wars. Today, November 11 th is celebrated as Veteran’s Day to remember the Americans who fought in World War I and our nations other wars. The Central powers lost more than 3 million soldiers and nearly 3.5 million civilians. The Central powers lost more than 3 million soldiers and nearly 3.5 million civilians. The Allied Powers lost nearly 5 million soldiers and more than 3 million civilians. The Allied Powers lost nearly 5 million soldiers and more than 3 million civilians. Civilians are people who are not soldiers. Civilians are people who are not soldiers. More than 20 million soldiers were wounded. More than 20 million soldiers were wounded. Everyone hoped there would never be another war like that again. They called it “The War to End All Wars,” because no one could imagine it happening again. Everyone hoped there would never be another war like that again. They called it “The War to End All Wars,” because no one could imagine it happening again.

The United States and the Peace Process In January 1919, President Wilson and the other Allied leaders met in Versailles, France, to draw up a peace treaty. In January 1919, President Wilson and the other Allied leaders met in Versailles, France, to draw up a peace treaty. President Wilson hoped that the treaty would not punish the Central Powers and would make sure there would be a lasting peace. President Wilson hoped that the treaty would not punish the Central Powers and would make sure there would be a lasting peace. The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I. Against Wilson’s wishes, the treaty did punish the Central Powers. It demanded that Germany pay heavy fines and Germany could not rebuild their army. The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I. Against Wilson’s wishes, the treaty did punish the Central Powers. It demanded that Germany pay heavy fines and Germany could not rebuild their army. The U.S. Senate did not approve the treaty. They disagreed with the harsh treatment of Germany, and many Americans did not want the U.S. to join the League of Nations. The U.S. Senate did not approve the treaty. They disagreed with the harsh treatment of Germany, and many Americans did not want the U.S. to join the League of Nations.

League of Nations President Wilson suggested an international organization be formed to prevent wars. The Treaty of Versailles created the League of Nations. President Wilson suggested an international organization be formed to prevent wars. The Treaty of Versailles created the League of Nations. The League of Nations was an organization that would include all the countries of the world and would help nations to find peaceful ways to solve problems. The League of Nations was an organization that would include all the countries of the world and would help nations to find peaceful ways to solve problems. The United States did not join the League of Nations. The United States did not join the League of Nations. Many people felt that the U.S. should return to a policy of isolation or remaining separate from other countries. Many people felt that the U.S. should return to a policy of isolation or remaining separate from other countries. Peace and isolation only lasted about 20 years. Peace and isolation only lasted about 20 years.