1. Chapter 12: The World War I Era
I. The Road to War

2. Bell Ringer Define neutral
What impact might the presence of many first-generation European immigrants have had on the position of the United States toward entering the war?

3. Objectives Identify the main causes of World War I.
Understand how the conflict expanded to draw in much of Europe.
Analyze how the US responded to the war in Europe.

4. A) Setting the Scene
June 28th, 1914 – Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo.
Wanted Bosnia to be part of Serbia, not the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

5. B) Causes of World War I
a) Imperialism: All the good land had been taken – If Germany wanted land – have to take it from England and France
Militarism: build up military and allow the military to have great say in government and foreign policy
b) Nationalism – what was good for one country might cause a war
Alsace-Lorraine: border region between Germany and France – speak French but controlled by Germany
Diverse ethnic population in countries that were controlled by other “people”
c) Alliances: Germany and Austria-Hungary; Russia and France; Great Britain and France

6. C) The Conflict Expands
Austria-Hungary blamed Bosnia for the assassination of their heir
Declares war
Russia began mobilizing to defend Serbia
mobilization: readying of troops for war
Germany began mobilizing to defend Austria-Hungary
France gets ready to defend against Germany
Germany attacks France and goes through neutral Belgium – Britain declares war on Germany
One week – the continent at war
movie

7. Stalemate Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary
Allies: France, Serbia, and Great Britain
Stalemate: situation in which neither side is able to gain the advantage
Germany and the Schlieffen Plan got 30 miles from Paris – lines stabilized
Trench warfare – no man’s land
Germany fighting a war on both sides
Ottoman Empire (Turkey) join the Central Powers – Italy joins Allies

8. Modern Warfare Machine guns Rapid fire artillery Poison gases
Generals thought superiority of numbers would win – ordered soldiers to go “over the top”
Battle of the Somme – British 60,000 casualties in one day – 20,000 dead
Poisoned wells, killed livestock, Britain blockaded Germany, submarines sunk everything

9. D) The American Response
1/3 of US immigrants or children of immigrants and felt involved
Irish and German Americans wanted to join the Central Powers
Most Americans favored UK
Germany – monarchy
propaganda: information intended to sway public opinion (lies)
British lied to US about German occupation

10. American Neutrality: German submarines try to blockade Britain – US big trade partner with Britain – we declare neutrality
Preparedness Movement - US slowly begins to prepare for war – build up and train armed forces
Peace Movement – peace marches, taxed guns to pay for preparedness

11. Review What were the main causes of WWI?
How did conflict expand to draw in much of Europe?
In what ways did the US respond to the war in Europe?