WORLD WAR I America Takes the Lead?

BIG QUESTIONS??  How might people respond when they feel threatened by others?  What conditions might justify US entry into another country’s war?  How can a country help an ally fight a war?  What challenges do you think countries face when discussing a peace plan?

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the causes of WORLD WAR I

Trouble in Europe  Nationalism, feelings of intense loyalty to one’s country was on the rise  Some groups who spoke the same language wanted their own country – Germany, Italy, etc…  Nations were competing for colonies in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world

 Germany, Russia and Italy wanted to expand  European countries were building up armies  Alliances were built between countries  If one country in an Alliance went to war, so did others Trouble in Europe

Causes of World War ICauses of World War I - MAINMAIN ilitarism ilitarism – policy of building up strong military forces to prepare for war llianceslliances - agreements between nations to protect one another (divided Europe into two teams) ationalismationalism – pride in or loyalty to one’s country MAIN mperialism mperialism – when a strong country takes over a weak country (colonies)

Increase in Defense Expenditures France10% Britain13% Russia39% Germany73% Causes of WWI - Militarism Total Defense Spending in millions of £s (British pounds).

World War I Allied Powers: Central Powers: Great Britain France Russia Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Serbia Belgium Bulgaria

Causes of WWI - Imperialism

Causes of WWI - Nationalism

BIG PROBLEM  Europe has created so many alliances, as is competing for so much that…  Even the tiniest spark could cause war between two countries  Because of alliances, war between 2 countries will turn into war between many countries

The “Spar k”

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28 th, 1914.

First Major Event of WWI On June 28, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife of Austria Hungary are visiting Bosnia

On June 28, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist who believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia. Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Gavrilo Princip after his assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

The Point of No Return: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia. Germany pledged their support for Austria - Hungary. Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

The Point of No Return: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Germany declares war on Russia. France pledges their support for Russia. Germany declares war on France. Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.

Eastern Front Western Front Europe on the Brink of War

What should President Wilson Do? WSPWD!!!  President Woodrow Wilson has to decide what the United States will do…  Should we stay isolationist?  Should we get involved?  Many Americans believe that it is Europe’s war.  Isolationism: We should stay out of it  “Armed Neutrality”: remain neutral but ready to defend ourselves