Friday, October 13, 2006 n TSW: Explain the causes of World War I. Understand why the United States went from having an isolationist stance to entering the war.

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The Great War - World War I From Neutrality to War

L - Idea for Student Response n One day after school, you see two groups of schoolmates involved in a fight. Both sides yell to you to join in and help their side. n What are the advantages & disadvantages of getting involved? n If you do get involved, how do you decide which group to join?

4.1A: Europe on the Brink of War n The Roots of War n late 1800s and early 1900s, Europe was unsettled with tension n 1) Nationalism - intense pride in one’s own nation – Italy/Germany unified as a country instead of a kingdom n 2) Militarism - glorification of armed strength and the ideals of war (build-up) n to acquire and protect colonies ($ - remember the world turns due to $ n large armies, navies competing for military strength (Whose is bigger?, 300%) n 3) Entangled Alliances - intricate web of alliances arose to deter acts of aggression. n Triple Alliance: Austro-Hungarian empire, Germany, Italy n Triple Entente: France, Great Britain, Russia

4.1A: Europe on the Brink of War n Europe in 1914 = Powder Keg of tensions n Great economic, imperial powers, armed with massive, modern armies and inclined to support the idea of war for a national glory, were tied to one another in a series of binding military treaties

4.1A: Europe on the Brink of War n U.S. was carrying an attitude of neutrality n Washington’s Farewell Address n No entangling alliances n More worried about their own Hemisphere

4.2B: World War I Begins n The “Spark” that started the Great War n June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand & wife assassinated by a Serbian Nationalist. n Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia- Herzegovina n Serbia, small nation to the south wanted a “Slavic nation” n Black Hand - 7 assassins n Archduke dodged first attempts, finally killed by 19 y.o., Gavrilo Princip

4.2B: World War I Begins n The War Begins n A-H angered and supported by Germany, issued an ultimatum n Suppress all anti-A-H activities or face war n Russia supported Serbia n Jul 28, 1914: A-H declares war on Serbia n System of alliances (Triple Alliance & Entente) plunged Europe into war n Germany demands Russia to stop mobilization and France to remain neutral n Russia refuses and France honors alliance n Germany marches through Belgium, ignoring 1839 treaty guaranteeing Belgium’s neutral status n France, Russia, G. Britain declare war on Germany n WWI officially begins August 4, 1914

4.2B: World War I Begins n The U.S. Declares Neutrality n Same day, Wilson declares U.S. neutrality n Many Americans could trace their heritage to Europe n Wilson asked all Americans to remain neutral n “The [United States] must be impartial in thought as well as in action n Americans could not resist taking sides n Britain b/c of heritage & ancestry n France b/c of their help in Rev. War

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4.1C: A Bloody Stalemate in Europe n Quick Victory Eludes the Warring Nations n all nations thought the war would end quickly n By end of 1914, thousands of casualties n War turned into a Bloody Stalemate n Boredom!

4.1C: A Bloody Stalemate in Europe

n The Horror of Trench Warfare n Modern Weaponry: machine guns, mechanized cannons, mustard gas n Bloody, long-lasting battles n No land gained n 475 miles of trenches built to protect from modern weaponry n Long bombardment, followed by infantry attacks: “No Man’s Land” n Treacherous mud, very wet, rats n trenchfoot = amputation n “The bottom of the trench was springy like a mattress b/c of all the bodies underneath … “

4.1C: A Bloody Stalemate in Europe n The U.S. Maintains Neutrality n Americans were horrified by the war n French Foreign Legion n U.S. gov’t remained neutral n Wilson unhappy with British blockade of German ports. n Violation of int’l law n Wilson continued to supply food, weapons, and war supplies n Banks made billions of $

4.1D: German U-boats Violate Int’l Law n Unrestricted Submarine Warfare n U-boat = Unterseeboot n Germany had superior submarines n Feb. 1915, Germany - unrestricted submarine warfare n Even neutral or passenger ships n War zone declared by Germany

4.1D: German U-boats Violate Int’l Law n The Sinking of the Lusitania n May 1, 1915: NY to London n Germany had warned passengers in newspapers n Warning for submarines in area, ignored by ship’s captain n 790-foot ship, sank in 18 minutes n 2,000 passengers, 1,200 died, 128 Americans, 125 children n Secret cargo: 4,200 cases of gun cartridges

4.1D: German U-boats Violate Int’l Law n Wilson Campaigns for U.S. Neutrality n American public outraged n Wilson condemned Germany’s actions n Committed to keeping U.S. out of war n 3 more Americans killed on unarmed French ship n 1916 Election, close call n “He kept us out of war” slogan

4.1E: U.S. Entry into the War n The Zimmerman Telegram n Death Knell, Straw that broke the camel’s back n Restart unrestricted subm. Warfare n Promise of”general financial support n Mexico would regain territory n British presented to Wilson on Feb. 25, 1917 n Mar. 1: published in newspapers n “There is no question about going to war. Germany is already at war with us.” former Pres. T. Roosevelt

4.1E: U.S. Entry into the War n The U.S. Declares War on Germany n April 2, 1917 n Wilson asked Congress for declaration of war against Germany n “The world must be made safe for democracy … We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind” n 3 A.M, April 6, U.S. enters War n “Over There”

“Over There” n Jonnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun, n Take it on the run, on the run, on the run, n Hear them calling you and me, n Every son of liberty. n Hurry right away, no delay, go today, n Make your daddy glad to have had such a lad, Tell your sweetheart not to pine, n To be proud her boy’s in line.

“Over There” n Chorus n Over there, over there, n Send the word, send the word, over there n That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming n The drums rum tumming everywhere, n So prepare, say a prayer, n Send the word, say a prayer, n Send the word, send the word, to beware, n We’ll be over, we’re coming over, n And we won’t come back till its over, n Over there.

“Over There” n Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun, n Johnnie show the Hun, you’re a son-of-a-gun, n Hoist the flag and let her fly, n Like true heroes do or die. n Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit, n Soldiers on the ranks from the towns and the tanks, n Make your mother proud of you, n And to liberty be true.

4.1F: U.S. Mobilization & the End of the War n Mobilizing for War n Ill-equipped for war n Wilson initiated the draft n Only 200,000 soldiers n 9 million registered n U.S. industry & agriculture increased production of food, fuel, ships, weapons n Intense propaganda campaign

4.1F: U.S. Mobilization & the End of the War n The Effects of Propaganda n Undemocratic practices n Espionage Act of 1917 n 2,000 Americans were prosecuted n “Liberty Cabbage” n German-Americans were discriminated against

4.1F: U.S. Mobilization & the End of the War n Leaving for Europe n Idealism & Excitement n “… adventure & heroism” n High-spirits n However, they soon encountered the horror and fear of war

4.1F: U.S. Mobilization & the End of the War n American Troops in Europe n Fresh U.S. troops bolstered the broken down Allied forces n American Expeditionary Force (AEF) n General John “Black Jack” Pershing n Not well-trained, inexperienced

4.1F: U.S. Mobilization & the End of the War n The End of WWI n Spring/Fall American troops helped in decisive battles n 1 million troops battled Germans over 200-mile front in France n Germans overthrow Kaiser Wilhelm n n 10 million soldiers killed n 20 million soldiers wounded n U.S ,000 casualties n U.S ,000 killed

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