1. Unit 5 Section 6 World War One
TYWL: Global interaction may be caused by conflict. / Forces of imperialism, nationalism, militarism and geo-political alliances, taken to the extreme, can lead to international conflicts. / Nationalism and the quest for power are often underlying causes for war. / Conflict occurs when compromise over land, national identity and colonial possessions is no longer an option between those in authority and those they serve. /

2. World War One Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism
World War I – ( )
Global War centered in Europe
US is involved in final two years
Results in 40 million casualties
Sets stage for further conflict
Causes of the War
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Long Term Causes

3. Nationalism
Nationalism – putting interests of one’s own nation above all others
Dominates European politics in 19th and early 20th centuries
Leads to feelings of ill-will / distrust
Ethnic groups in certain areas feel bitter

4. Imperialism 1
Imperialism – Nations of Europe compete for resources and markets across the world.
Increases hostility and bitterness.

5. Alliances
European nations had entered into complex web of alliances – if one was attacked, other nations had agreed to become involved.

6. Alliances
Triple Entente (Allies) – France, Britain, and Russia (later United States) Vs. Triple Alliance (Central Powers) – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire

7. 2

8. Militarism
Militarism- Development of armed forces and their use as diplomatic tool. In the atmosphere of nationalism, mistrust, and competition, European nations build powerful, industrialized militaries.

9. Assassination Leads to War
War begins in city of Sarajevo.
Serbian nationalists assassinate heir to Austrian Throne – Archduke Franz Ferdinand (by Black Hand)
War begins as Austria declares war on Serbia – other nations are dragged in by system of complex alliances 3

10. Strategy
Schlieffen Plan – German plan to defeat France quickly, then turn to face Russia.
Idea is to avoid a two front war
Plan fails – bogged down in trench warfare in France
Allied Plan – Keep fighting on two fronts. Blockade Germany. Hope for US involvement.

11. US Stance US declares neutrality (back to isolationism?)
Develops sympathy for Allied cause (close economic relations, propaganda, affinity to Britain)
Begin to export war materials to Britain
Submarine warfare by German U-Boats threatens US shipping
Sinking of Lusitania – 1915
British liner, 1198 deaths – 128 Americans
Also carrying ammunition
Americans outraged, but Wilson avoids war temporarily

12. Stalemate in Europe War on land grinds to a stalemate in France
Deadliness of modern weaponry results in trench warfare *
No man’s land – deadly area between trenches
Little territory is gained; casualties are horrific
(First Battle of Somme – 1.2 million casualties – 7 miles of land gained – or more than 174,000 casualties per mile!)
*click for Primary accounts of life in the trenches

13. New Weapons of War Modern Weapons make “The Great War” the
“ In modern war there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason.”
Modern Weapons make
“The Great War” the
Deadliest ever for those fighting it.
Submarines
Airplanes
Poison Gas (mustard gas)
Machine Guns
Tanks
Improved Artillery
Ernest Hemingway, American Writer and World War I Vet.

15. US Declares War
Wilson is re-elected in 1916 with slogan “he kept us out of war”
Germany fears US entry – Zimmerman Note attempts to influence Mexico to attack US
German U-Boats continue to threaten US shipping
Russian Revolution of 1917 – Russia quits war – easier for US to enter politically
April 2, 1917, Wilson asks Congress for war

16. From http://www.wwnorton.com
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