(U.S. Involvement )

CAUSES of WORLD WAR I M ILITARISM - build up of navies and armies to defend colonies A LLIANCES - complicated system of “covering each other’s backs” I MPERIALISM - race for uncolonized areas and world power - Germany wants in N ATIONALISM - extreme pride in one’s country - act in own best interest Archduke Ferdinand's Murder in Sarajevo

The Road to War Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophia are assassinated in Bosnia. Alike in size and strength, neither side could gain an advantage, resulting in a Stalemate. A-H blames Serbia and declares war Russia mobilizes to defend Serbia Ger & A-H demand Russia stop mobilization France and Germany begin to mobilize when Russia refuses Germany declares War on Russia Germany uses the Schlieffen Plan to knock out France By crossing thru Belgium, Germany causes GB to declare War on Germany

THE SIDES CENTRAL POWERS GERMANY AUSTRIA- HUNGARY OTTOMAN EMPIRE ALLIES GREAT BRITAIN FRANCE RUSSIA SERBIA U.S. joins in 1917

AMERICAN RESPONSE TO THE OUTBREAK OF WAR Chapter 12.1

Mixed Ancestral Loyalties ¼ - German Ancestry ¼ - Irish Ancestry (hate the British) Huge % of population is British TAKE SIDES BASED ON IMMIGRATION PATTERNS

AUTOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS Ruler with Unlimited Power Dictator or Absolute Monarch THE CENTRAL POWERS WERE ALL AUTOCRATIC

BELGIUM Poor geographic location 1848 treaty of perpetual neutrality the U.S. tried to stay neutral in European affairs High kill rate because the Generals kept giving the order to attack. media.maps.com/magellan/Images/BELGIU-W1.gif

OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT POSITION NEUTRAL PEACEMAKER: Trade would be disrupted GB and GER biggest trading partners of the US German U-BOAT BLOCKADE of Great Britain threatened shipping Most Americans opposed Germany because of frightening militarism

PREPAREDNESS MOVEMENT (Pro-War) National Security League organized to 1. promote patriotic education 2. promote nationalism 3. promote service to country Mobilization efforts begin getting readying for war 1. U.S. should strengthen its armed forces Unofficial aid to GB and Allies

PEACE MOVEMENT (Anti-War) Take focus away from the Progressive movement and problems at home Too expensive American Union Against Militarism Jeanette Rankin (U.S. Senate) – “no mother could vote to send a son to war”