1. World War I “The Great War” 1914-1918 The War to End all Wars
Goal 8: 1
World War I
“The Great War”
The War to End all Wars

2. Main Causes of WWI (1914-1918) Militarism Alliance System Imperialism
Desire to create a strong army / Competition
Alliance System
Desire for international security
Imperialism
Military strength (competition) / new markets / cultural superiority
Nationalism
Deep devotion to your country (ego)

3. Alliance System in WWI 2 major defenses
The Triple Entente vs. The Triple Alliance
(ALLIES) (AXIS / CENTRAL)
France (1) German
AMERICA (2) Bulgaria
(3) Great Britain (3) Austria-Hungary
(4) Russia (withdraws in 1917) (4) Ottoman Empire
** MANY OTHERS
Purpose: international security
*America joins the Triple Entente in 1917

5. What starts WWI
*******************************************************The “assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand”
(Heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne)
1914 – Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo (A.H) Gravillo Princip – (Serbian nationalist / neighboring country) member of the terrorist organization known as the “Black Hand” – shoots Franz Ferdinand

6. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia (FIRST BATTLE OF WWI)
Austria-Hungary is protected by Germany through TREATIES
Austria-Hungary and Germany against Serbia
Axis vs. Allies
German Strategy:
America supports Germany in the beginning (British sets up a blockade)
*FREEDOM OF THE SEAS policy is not HONORED!
U-Boats (unterseeboot) – any ship found in British water will be sunk
(UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE)

7. Freedom of the Seas
The idea that ships can travel through international waters without being attacked! (practiced since 16th century)
Germany’s “unrestricted submarine warfare” opposed the idea of freedom of the seas

8. Germany’s Leader / Emperor
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Led the German government during WWI
- Last German Emperor

9. ********Schlieffen Plan*********
Germany brings NEUTRAL Belgium into WWI!!!!
Germany goes through Belgium “QUICKLY” – then goes to France, destroys France and goes through Belgium again to go to Russia

10. American questions NEUTRALITY / ISOLATIONISM / PACIFISM
1914 – no reason for U.S. to get involved
(WE BELIEVE IN NEUTRALITY)
1917 – America FINALLY gets involved
2 Reason why America got involved in 1917
Sinking of the Lusitania (*unrestricted submarine warfare / freedom of the seas)
Zimmerman Note / telegram

11. Sinking of the Lusitania (1 MAIN CAUSE OF AMERICAN ENTRY)
German U-Boats (subs) were sent out to sink any opposing ship
THE SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA
Example of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
A British liner with American passengers was sunk by a U-Boat off the coast of Ireland (18 minutes)
German’s Defense: Ammo on board
RESULT: American opinion changed!!! (Toward Germany)
Wilson’s Response: NOTHING
Germans – sink the Arabic then the Sussex

12. Sussex Pledge (1916)
Sussex – French Ship (U.S. passengers) that was sunk by German U-boats
A “promise” by the German government to the U.S. in 1916 in response to the conduct of unrestricted submarine warfare / freedom of the seas
Reason: Germany wanted to keep relationship with U.S.

13. 1916 Presidential Election
WOODROW WILSON is Reelected
Presidential Campaign Slogan:
“He Kept Us Out of War!”
“Peace Without Victory” doctrine
Neither side would act as an
Aggressor…just work it out /
spread democracy
(this idea leads to the formation
of the League of Nations)

14. 2 reasons why America fought in WWI / The U.S DECLARES WAR (1917)
Wilson calls for Peace…Germany doesn’t want that!
(U-Boats will still go out and sink everyone =
(1) Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
- attacking merchant ships “WITHOUT” warning!
(Example) Sinking of the Lusitania
(2) Zimmerman Note ****
- a telegram from Germany to Mexico
claiming they will HELP Mexico get
their land back they lost to the U.S.
*Britain intercepts letter*
(Proved that Germany had no plans
to keep U.S. relationship positive)
*Direct violation of Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary

16. British Problem with Zimmerman Note
Britain intercepted telegram
(1) Tell America –
German attacks Br.
(2) Don’t tell America –
America cannot help
Br.

17. Wilson’s / Congressional Actions
Congress declares war (mobilization) against the Central / Axis Powers (April 2, 1917)
Woodrow Wilson convinced them with a speech to the Senate
Famous Quote:
“THE WORLD MUST BE MADE SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY!”
-Woodrow Wilson on declaring war in WWI

19. Raising an Army (for WWI)
To meet the government’s need for more fighting power, Congress passed the
Selective Service Act (1917)
Register for the draft,
to be called into active duty
to fight in WWI

20. Propaganda
Media used to “influence” the opinions or behaviors of people
Gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented
Committee of Public Information (CPI)
First America Propaganda agency
Created by : GEORGE CREEL

22. 3 causes of WWI (in Europe) VS
3 causes of WWI (in Europe) VS. 2 causes for American involvement in WWI
Causes of WWI Causes for U.S in WWI
(1) Militarism (1) Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Germany)
(2) Alliance System (Example) Lusitania
(2) Zimmerman Note
(3) Imperialism
(4) Nationalism

23. Russian Revolutions (1917)
February Revolution: led by Russian civilians
Overthrew the Tsarist Russian government (Tsar Nicholas II)
Result: DEMOCRACY IS IN RUSSIA
October Revolution: Led by Vladimir Lenin (Bolsheviks)
Established a Communist state
Communism – government controls business, economy, politics and civil liberties of its citizens (extreme version of socialism)

24. Propaganda / Ad Campaigns
Promote WWI and American Entry
One Picture / Political Cartoon
Most Important: Create an intriguing or persuasive slogan to persuade American civilians and businesses to support American entry into WWI
Examples: Joining the Army / Conservation of food / Victory Gardens / Rationing
EXPLAIN AT BOTTOM (like back wall)
Due Today: 2 Pieces of Propaganda that addresses 2 separate issues