1. World War 1
Cause and Fighting

4. Causes of WWI – MANIA!
Militarism - policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war (ARMS RACE)
Alliances – agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another
European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves
PROBLEM: One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict
Nationalism – extreme pride in one’s country
Imperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically.
Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand

5. Start of WWI
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated in Bosnia by a secret society known as the Black Hand. (June 28, 1914)
WWI begins on July 28, 1914, when Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

6. Franz Ferdinand/ Gavrilo Princip (assassin)

7. Main Factors U.S. enters WWI
May 7, 1915: A British passenger ship was sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German U-Boat. About 1,200 people died including 128 Americans.
The sinking of the Lusitania outraged Americans
U-Boats (Underwater Boats): German submarines

8. Lusitania

9. U.S. Newspapers

10. Main Factors U.S. enters WWI
Zimmerman Telegraph: Sent by Foreign Secretary of Germany, Arthur Zimmerman, in January of 1917 to Mexico.
Germany was asking Mexico to join them and fight against the U.S.
In return Germany would help Mexico regain land that they lost in the Mexican Cession (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona)
Telegraph intercepted by the British.

11. U.S. enters WWI
President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for permission to go to war on April 2, 1917.
U.S. Congress officially declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
The U.S. joined the Allies.

12. Why was WWI a Stalemate? What’s a stalemate?
Neither side can make a move to win
Millions die without gaining ground.

13. Trench Warfare
Trenches were dug from English Channel to Switzerland protected by mines
6,250 miles
6 to 8 feet deep
Area in between referred to as “No Mans’ Land”
Immobilized both sides for 4 years

14. “Death is Everywhere”
“We all had on us the stench of dead bodies.” Death numbed the soldier’s minds.
Shell shock (mental anguish)
Psychological devastation
“Never such innocence again”
Bitterness towards aristocratic officers whose lives were never in danger

15. TRENCH FOOT