1. The First World War
Boys and Girls! War Savings Stamps Poster by James Montgomery Flagg

2. The First World War: What? When?
War involving nearly all the nations of the world
When?

3. The First World War: Why? Long term - 1. Alliance system
2. Imperialist Competition
3. Stockpiling of Weapons
Why?
Short term - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by member of the Black Hand (Serbia)
Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg one hour before their deaths, June 28, 1914

5. Causes of World War I- MANIA
Militarism- building a strong army/navy to prepare for war Alliances- agreements between nations to provide support and protect each other Nationalism- Extreme pride in one’s country Imperialism- Take over of another country economically and politically Assassination- Austrian Archduke Ferdinand is killed by Serbian group

6. The First World War: Who? Central Powers: Allies: Russia France
Great Britain
Italy
Japan
United States (1917)
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Bulgaria

7. The First World War:
Where?

8. Why did WWI involve so many countries?

9. Why did WWI involve so many countries?

10. New Weapons in World War I
New weapons are introduced during World War I that were not used in previous wars
Machine Gun
Poison Gas
Submarine
Airplane
Tank
These new weapons are now available because of the Industrial Revolution!

11. Trench Warfare World War I is the first time trench warfare is used.
Millions die without gaining any ground

12. Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the war?
America was isolationist
“Why should I get involved in someone else’s problems”

13. Thinking Slide:
Is isolationism really an option for a country as powerful as the United States?

14. Which side should the US pick?
Central Powers:
Allies:
11 million German-Americans
Irish-Americans hated Great Britain
Close cultural ties
Shared transatlantic cables (so censored stories)
Big business loaned much $ to allies
US Exports to both sides:

15. What did it take to get the US involved?
1. Blockades
Allied Action
Britain blockaded (stopped) all German ships going to America
Central Powers Reaction
Germany announced a submarine war around Britain
Y-53 German Submarine 1916

16. What did it take to get the US involved?
1. Blockades
In May, 1915 Germany told Americans to stay off of British ships
They could/would sink them

17. What did it take to get the US involved?
1. Blockades
Lusitania torpedoed, sinking with 1200 passengers and crew (including 128 Americans)
Was eventually found to be carrying 4200 cases of ammunition
German Propaganda Justifying Lusitania sinking

18. What did it take to get the US involved?
1. Blockades
The US sharply criticized Germany for their action
Germany agreed not to sink passenger ships without warning in the future
Note in Bottle After Lusitania Disaster

19. What did it take to get the US involved?
2. Unlimited Submarine Warfare
1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine warfare” in the war zone
Why? Otherwise their blockade would not be successful

20. What did it take to get the US involved?
3. Zimmerman Note
US intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico,
It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an alliance

21. What did it take to get the US involved?
Zimmerman Note + the sinking of 4 unarmed American ships led to a declaration of war

22. Is Germany the “bad guy” in WWI? Explain.
Thinking Slide:
Is Germany the “bad guy” in WWI? Explain.

23. How was the war looking for the allies?
Not Good...
Russia left the war after its Communist Revolution in 1917
Made it a one front war for Germany - all its troops could concentrate on France
War of attrition – loss of life and depletion of supplies enormous. Winner will be the “last one standing.”

24. Convincing the American People
Posters - Gee!!
How do you think this poster helped to convince the American people that the war was a good idea?

25. Convincing the American People
Idealism: 2 Goals For War:
1. War to End All Wars
2. Making the World Safe for Democracy

26. Convincing the American People
Idealism: Fourteen Points
What? President Wilson’s Plan for after the war
Fourteen Points promised
freedom of the seas
self-determination
a League of Nations to work for peace
President Woodrow Wilson

27. What did the US do to help?
Supplies:
US provided the food, money, and fresh toops needed to win the war
American Troops March Through London

28. How did the War Affect the US?
Women
Women filled factory jobs
May have led 19th Amendment after the war (Gave women the right to vote-1920)
African Americans
Black soldiers still served in Segregated Units
“Great Migration” - thousands of African Americans moved North to work in factories

29. How did the War Affect the US?
Enforcing Loyalty
Hatred of all things German
Ex. “Liberty Cabbage”
Espionage Act 1917 & Sedition Act of 1918 punished those against the war (many labor leaders)

31. Result of World War I Germany surrenders
Allies impose the Treaty of Versailles
Germany has to admit they are guilty for causing the war
Germany must pay reparations to allies
This Treaty will set the stage for World War II which will come in the next 20 years
League of Nations is formed to try to prevent future wars
Goal of the League of Nations was to maintain WORLD PEACE