1. America enters the War

2. a promise given by the German Government to the United States of America in 1916
response to US demands relating to the conduct of WWI.
Sussex Pledge

3. German U-boat attacking a merchant ship
Germany promised to alter their naval and submarine policy of unrestricted submarine warfare
would stop the indiscriminate sinking of non-military ships.
Merchant Ships would be searched and sunk only if they contained contraband
only after safe passage had been provided for the crew and its passengers.

4. German U-boat sunk the Lusitania. ( May 7, 1915)
British cruise/transport ship, bound for Britain from New York.
The German U-boat ring sought to sink all supply ships headed for Britain in order to starve the island.
It sank the Lusitania as part of its efforts. There were killed, including 128 Americans.

5. 2. The U. S. had huge economic investments with the British and French
2. The U.S. had huge economic investments with the British and French. If they were to lose, then they would not be able to pay the U.S. debt back (amounting to about two billion dollars while Germany borrowed much less at 27 million). If Allies could not pay back the loans made to them by the American bankers, the US's economy could collapse. France and England were financing their war with US loans. In addition, they were buying massive amounts of arms from the US on credit. The US wanted to make sure that it got paid back.

6. a. Propaganda was influencing Americans to join.
3. Political Reasons
a. Propaganda was influencing Americans to join.

7. Interesting aside: The most famous war poster was Alfred Leete's 1914 image of Lord Kitchener pointing directly at the viewer. So successful was this image that it was adapted for American use in both World War I and II by JM Flagg

8. b. By entering the war, the US got to prove itself on the world stage and establish itself as a world power.

9. In return, Mexico would get back New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.
c. Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was sent by the German foreign secretary to the German Ambassador in Mexico.
Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico stating that if the US goes to war against Germany, Mexico would side with Germany by fighting on the home front which would be financially supported by the Germans
In return, Mexico would get back New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.

10. It was intercepted and decoded by British Intelligence and transmitted to America. Americans were outraged by this and persuaded even more Americans to end neutrality and enter the war.

11. Translated Zimmerman telegram
- The US enters the War on April 6th, 1917

12. The Treaty of Versailles
The Big Four at the End of the War

13. The End of the War
In July 1918, Allied forces broke through the western front
Kaiser Wilhelm is told Germany can’t win the war; on Nov 9,1918 he abdicated & the German Weimar Republic is formed
Other Central Powers surrendered

14. The End of the War
On November 11,1918—an armistice ended the fighting

15. 11 a.m., November 11, 1918

16. Effects of the War
Total War—the enemy is the other “nation” (not just its army); it is OK to attack civilians & use blockades; new weapons are used to kill the enemy; a nation devotes all energy to war effort
As a result of the war, government leaders are removed in Russia, Germany, Austria, Hungary
Countries are broke because they spent all their money on the war

17. Effects of the War Terrible death & destruction:
65-70 million soldiers were sent to fight; 8.5 million died; 21 million wounded; 7.75 million missing in action
Casualty Rates—Russia (76%), France (73%), Germany (65%), Austria-Hungary (90%)
War destroyed towns, farm land, & buildings

19. 9,000,000 Dead

20. World War I Casualties

21. Paris Peace Conference
In Jan 1919, 27 nations met in France to work out a treaty to officially end the war—Paris Peace Conference
Big Four:
US—Woodrow Wilson
France—Georges Clemenceau
England—David Lloyd George
Italy—Vittorio Orlando

22. George (GB) Orlando (Italy) Clemenceau (France) Wilson (US)

23. France
Prime Minister Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany; Made 3 demands to ensure war never happened again:
Return Alsace-Lorraine (taken during Franco-Prussian War)
Pay reparations to cover the entire cost of rebuilding
Give up Rhineland so Germany cannot attack France again

25. England
Many in England wanted to punish Germany too: “Squeeze ‘em until the pips squeak”; but Prime Minister David Lloyd George disagreed:
If Germany was treated too harshly it will cause more trouble in the future; Germany should be allowed to recover
Rhineland should be demilitarized (military removed), not taken over

26. Italy
Prime Minister Orlando had agreed to leave the Triple Alliance (with Germany & Austria-Hungary) & fight for Allies after France & England secretly promised to give Adriatic Coast to Italy after the war; Italy’s only demand:
France & England should keep their promise to give this land to Italy

27. United States
Prez Woodrow Wilson came up with 14 Points of Light to restore Europe:
Europe should have freedom of seas, free trade; Reduction of weapons; Divide all colonies
Self Determination—countries should have right to choose their own type of government
Create a League of Nations to prevent future wars

28. Paris Peace Conference
Simulating the Negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles

29. Treaty of Versailles Signed June 28, 1919; 3 main topics: Military
Money
Territory

30. Treaty of Versailles: Military
Germany was forced to:
Reduce its army to 100,000 men
Reduce its navy to warships; no submarines; destroy its entire airforce
No soldiers or military equipment allowed within 30 miles of the Rhineland
Cannot manufacture war materials

32. Treaty of Versailles: Money
Germany forced to:
Sign “War Guilt Clause” accepting total responsibility for WW1
Pay $31 Billion in reparations to Allies over 30 years for damage; many felt this was too much & would destroy German economy

33. Treaty of Versailles: Territory
Germany was forced to give up land to the Allies; give up all overseas colonies, & give up Polish Corridor (separates Prussia from Germany)
Italy didn’t get Adriatic Coast; used to form Yugoslavia (Serbia+Bosnia)
New countries (from Russia): Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland;
New countries (from Austria- Hungary): Czechoslovakia, Hungary

38. Germany after Versailles
The new democratic government called the Weimar Republic signed the Treaty of Versailles
Most Germans felt humiliated:
Stabbed in back by those who signed the armistice
Not allowed a say in treaty
Punishment was too severe
Why was only Germany to blame for the war?

39. Created a League of Nations

40. Treaty of Versailles

41. Results of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles created more problems than it solved
Riots, debt, humiliation in Germany will allow leaders (Hitler) to rise to power by promising revenge
Italy was not given land it was promised; economic problems will lead to strong leaders who promise a return to glory (Mussolini)

42. V E R S A I L L E S

43. the Great War
Barrel
Bullet Opening
Trigger
Ammunition

44. What were the 4 MAIN causes of the Great War?

45. What was the single event that “sparked” the Great War?

46. Identify 5 things you know about the Great War

47. What were 3 results of the Great War? (think Versailles)

48. Essential Questions What four factors led to World War I?
Why did the Treaty of Versailles create conditions leading to World War II?
Was World War I avoidable?