WORLD WAR I “The Great War to End all Wars”

Causes of World War I Imperialism – competition for overseas empires Militarism – build up of a countries’ military

Causes of World War I Nationalism – pride in one’s country Secret Alliances among European Nations

The Spark Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated by a Bosnian rebel

The Spark Austria- Hungary declared war on Bosnia and Serbia

The Spark Secret Alliances caused all of Europe to get into conflict

Two Sides Central Powers –Germany –Austria- Hungary –Ottoman Empire Allied Powers –France –Great Britain (U.K.) –Russia –Serbia

U.S. Returns to Isolationism “America would not get involved in an European War” – President Woodrow Wilson

U.S. Returns to Isolationism Government did not want to upset immigrants

U.S. Returns to Isolationism U.S. supported and sent weapons to Allied countries

Why did America Join the War? German U- boats (submarines) were sinking US trade ships

Why did America Join the War? Zimmerman Note –German plan to have Mexico declare war on U.S. –helped generate support for war from American citizens

Why did America Join the War? U.S. cruise ship, The Luisitania, was sank by German U- boats 1,260 people killed.

Why did America Join the War? April 2, 1917, U.S. declares war Central Powers

New Weapons + Old Fighting = Massive Destruction British style, straight line fighting was suicide

New Weapons + Old Fighting = Massive Destruction New Weapons –Machine guns, poison gas, airplanes, artillery cannons, flame throwers, tanks

New Weapons + Old Fighting = Massive Destruction Trench Warfare became the new style of fighting

US Involvement turns the War US added fresh troops and resources to Allies Allies started to win when US got involved Russia pulls out of war because of unrest in their country

Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution Vladimir Lenin overthrew democratic gov’t in Russia He set up a government called communism

Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution US and Russia became enemies after Communist takeover

Allies Claim Victory Treaty of Versailles officially ended war in 1919 Europe was in ruins –Infrastructure was destroyed –8 million dead, 21.5 million wounded –US only had 250,000 dead and wounded