1. The Great War
World War I

2. Causes of WWI Background causes
Imperialism – Rivalries developed as nations competed for colonies
Militarism – Nations built their armed forces and stockpiled weapons in preparation for war
Nationalism – Strong feelings of pride about one’s nation
Alliances
System of alliances developed for mutual defense purposes
The Allies versus the Central Powers
The Allies: Britain, France and Russia (later the United States and Italy)
Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary. (later the Ottoman Empire)

3. Immediate Causes Immediate cause
The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
Ferdinand was heir to the Austrian throne
Assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian nationalist

4. Alliances take effect Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
Russia MOBILIZED her military to protect Serbia
Germany declared war on Russia to protect Austria-Hungary
France declared war on Germany
Germany went through neutral Belgium to get to France
Great Britain, Belgium’s protector, jumped into the war

5. First few years
Equal in size and force, the two sides reached a STALEMATE
Both sides dug in, and began TRENCH WARFARE

6. No Man’s Land 1st Battle of the Marne Verdun Somme Sept. 5-12, 1914
French: 250,000 cas. 80,000 dead
Br: 13,000 cas. 1,700 dead
Ger: 220,000 ? dead
Verdun
Feb. 21-Dec.18, 1916
100,000 missing
Fr: 371,000 cas. 60,000 dead
Ger: 360,000 cas. 143,000 dead
Somme
July 1, - Nov. 18, 1916
Br and Fr: 623,907 cas.
Ger: 465,000 cas.
Only 7 miles of land was gained

9. America In World War I Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
German U-BOATS (submarines) sank the British Ocean Liner Lusitania, killing 128 American passengers
America protested and Germany agreed not to sink ships without warning
German U-boats sank French Ocean Liner Sussex
American threatened to cut off diplomatic ties with Germany.
Germany issued SUSSEX PLEDGE promising to warn ships before attacking
Within a year, Germany ignored Sussex Pledge and resumed Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
America’s initial response
America declared itself neutral
America attempted to act as a peacemaker in the European conflict

10. America Moves Toward War
Zimmerman Note
British intelligence intercepted a German telegram
Arthur Zimmerman, Germany’s foreign minister, tried to make a secret deal (alliance) with Mexico
If America entered the war, and Mexico attacked the U.S. from the south, Germany would give them back the land they had lost in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
Russian Revolution (don’t need to write)
The Bolsheviks overthrew Tsar Nicolas II in March, 1917
Russia pulled out of World War I
The U.S. filled the void left by Russia by declaring war April 6, 1917.

11. America Prepares for War
Selective Service – Authorized the “draft” for young men
American Expeditionary Force – America developed its troops force
Convoys – Destroyers guarded unarmed ships carrying troops to Europe
Corporal Alvin York – Earned Congressional Medal of Honor
Armistice – The Allies finally achieved this “cease fire”

12. The War at Home
Financing the War – The U.S. sold Liberty Bonds to raise money for the War effort
Managing the Economy
The government regulated the production of war goods
Price Controls – Limited the price charged for food
Rationing – Regulated the consumption of food and fuel
Daylight Savings – Augmented the clock increased daylight hours and thus conserved fuel

13. Enforcing Loyalty Espionage Act – Illegal to interfere with the draft
Sedition Act – Repression of free speech. Illegal to speak ill of the U.S., The Constitution or the Armed Forces. CITIZENS Could not encourage rebellion.
Immigration Restrictions – Limited the number of immigrants coming into America

14. After the War Treaty of Versailles Wilson’s 14 Points Ended the war
Germany blamed and forced to pay REPARATIONS… payment for economic injury suffered during the war
Wilson’s 14 Points
Wilson’s plan for peace
Encouraged “Peace without victory”
Suggested all nations join a “League of Nations”

15. Isolationism – U.S. began a policy of staying out of European affairs
The League of Nations
A group of nations for mutual defense
Congress did not want to join the League… it could interfere with their right to declare war
Because of the League, the U.S. FAILED TO RATIFY THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES