1. World War 1 Begins There were 4 MAIN causes of WW1:
Militarism – the build up of military might to complete or be ready for a war.
Alliances – Agreements were made between several European countries to help each other in the event of a war.
Imperialism – Long before WW1, major European powers were taking land to expand their empire, gain resources, and for military strategy. This led to a global competition for power.
Nationalism – Extreme pride in your country. To match other countries actions around the world, many European nations competed to be the best in the continent.
Spark of WW1:
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the crown prince of Austria-Hungary visits Sarajevo, Bosnia to check on his troops there. Austria-Hungary was taking over that land as part of its imperialism campaign. Serbia doesn’t like that, because they share a cultural bond with the people in Bosnia and feel insulted by Archduke’s presence there.
The black hand was a group of Serbian assassins sent to kill Archduke while he was in Bosnia. Gavrilo Princip 19, was successful. This event then triggered all of the alliances before WW1, and caused WW1 to officially begin.

2. World War 1 Begins
Triple Entente (Allies) – Britain, France, and Russia
Triple Alliance (Central Powers) – Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy.
Kaiser Wilhelm II – leader of Germany, told Austria-Hungary they would honor their alliance. This led Russia to come to Serbia’s aid, France then joined Russia. Germany declared war on Belgium to get to France. Britain then joined Russia against Germany. The Ottoman Empire then joins in with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Germany invaded Belgium, and quickly destroyed them. They then moved on to France and got to 30 miles outside Paris.
Trenches were dug by British and French troops there and the German advance was stopped.
Trenches were dug for 450 miles from the border of Belgium to Switzerland. This area is called the Western Front.
Map p.359 in online textbook.

3. World War 1 Begins
Trench warfare – soldiers battled each other from trenches that were a few hundred yards apart. Trenches were anywhere from 5-8 feet deep, and 3-6 feet wide. Some were re-enforced, others were dug too quickly to do so. On the tops of the trenches could be sandbags, barbed wire, or anything else that could slow the enemy down.
No-Man’s Land – the bombed out area between two opposing trenches. Usually full of craters, artillery, and bodies.

4. World War 1 Begins
Americans have divided loyalties. 1/3 of Americans at this time are immigrants.
America continued selling goods to all sides of the conflict while remaining isolationist.
Britain blockaded Germany to eventually keep all goods from getting in. Violated international laws.
Germany responded with its U-Boats by sinking any ship they felt was a threat or carrying contraband.
In 1915, Germany sunk the Lusitania which was carrying ammunition and civilian passengers. 128 Americans were killed in the attack.
Wilson, would no longer sell goods to Germany.

5. America Enters WW1
After Wilson threatens U.S. intervention, Germany promises not to sink passenger ships without warning.
Then they sink the Sussex in 1916, a French passenger ship. Germany again promises not to sink passenger ships. This promise was called the Sussex Pledge.
After these events, Wilson began “preparing” for war. He also won reelection in 1916 on the slogan “He kept us out of war.”
Congress passed the National Defense Act and Naval Construction Act to build up U.S. military might.

6. America Enters WW1
German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman – sent a note to Mexico. This is called the Zimmerman Note. This note promised Mexico would get back Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, if it attacked the U.S. when America entered WW1.
Britain intercepted this note before it got to Mexico. It was shown to the U.S. and printed in newspapers.
This angered Wilson tremendously.
After this, Germany again declared unrestricted submarine warfare on any ship coming to Germany.
America could no longer stay neutral.