1. Background of World War I

2. Causes of the War

3. M
Militarism
Militarism - belief that a nation needs a large, powerful military force
Navy: Britain and Germany
Army: France and Germany

4. A Alliances Triple Entente or Allies:
Russia, France, Great Britain, Serbia, Japan, and six other nations
Triple Alliance or Central Powers:
Austria-Hungary, Germany, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria
Balance of power in Europe
Balance of power in Europe
Italy was part of the Triple Alliance, but does not declare war. Later they switch sides and fight with the Allies.

6. I
Imperialism
Imperialism – the policy by which stronger nations extend control over weaker nations
European nations compete for colonies
Germany fights with France and Britain over Africa

7. N
Nationalism
Nationalism - policy of asserting the interests of one's own nation are separate from the interests of other nations
France wanted to regain territory lost to Germany
Poles, Serbs, Croats, Czechs and other ethnic groups wanted independence from Austria-Hungary

8. Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism
The MAIN causes of WWI

9. The Spark: Assassination
June 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary visits Sarajevo, Bosnia
Strong nationalism among Bosnian Serbs
Gavrilo Princip and the Black Hand: terrorist group working toward united Serbian people
Princip assassinates Ferdinand and his wife on their visit
Austria declares war on Serbia
Czar Nicholas II: Russian ruler, declares war on Austria in defense of Serbia

10. Roots of the Conflict

11. WWI in Europe The Two Sides:
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire
Allies: France, Britain, Russia, Japan and Italy (Eventually, the United States)

13. A New Type of Warfare
Annihilation of a French regiment, near Peronne, France (1916)

14. 3) Trench Warfare: defensive pits dug by each side

15. “No Man’s Land”

16. New technology + Old tactics = Tons of death

17. War in Europe

18. U.S. Remains Neutral
Both sides attempt to recruit the U.S., but Wilson refuses:
Most Americans: anti-Germany from the start
Kaiser Wilhelm: leader of Germany, seen as “evil ruler”
Blood Money:
American financiers loan Allies $2.3 billion during “neutrality”
US: willing to trade with Central Powers, but England blockaded North Sea

19. Submarine Warfare Angers Americans
U-boats: German submarine commerce raiders
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: No warning before attacks
German mistakes:
Lusitania (May 1915): Americans killed (1200 total)
Arabic (August 1915): 2 Americans killed
Sussex (1916)

22. “Lusitania Sunk By a Submarine”

24. Stop or Else Wilson issues an ultimatum: Germany Calls Wilson’s bluff
Stop sinking our ships, or U.S. will retaliate
Sussex Pledge: German promise not to sink American ships
Germany Calls Wilson’s bluff
Continue sinking all ships in the war zone.

25. Zimmerman Telegram Ends American Neutrality
Arthur Zimmerman: German foreign secretary
Proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico (March 1917)
Mexico gets Texas, NM and Arizona back

27. Zimmerman Telegram

28. U.S. Enters the War
April 2, 1917: Wilson asked Congress for declaration of war
Make the world “safe for democracy”
Passes in House, 45-5 in Senate

29. Four Major Reasons for American Involvement
Allies owed the U.S. billions of dollars
If they lose, we get nothing!
U-boats sinking American ships / killing Americans
Zimmerman Telegram showed that the Germans were looking to attack the U.S.
Russian Revolution forces Russia out of the war
Germany fighting on only one front now!

30. U.S. Cannot Remain Neutral

31. Fourteen Points Address
Wilson’s goals for American involvement
January 8, 1918
Highlights:
End to secret treaties
Freedom of the seas
Reduction in militaries/arms
Self-determination (have own government)
World peace organization (League of Nations)