1. World War I

2. Long-Term Causes
Militarism – the process of intimidating other countries by building up a strong and impressive military
Alliances – agreements between nations to help each other in the event of war
Imperialism – arguments between world powers over influence in other nations
Nationalism – pride in one’s own country or nationality

3. Immediate Causes
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand started WWI in EUROPE
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
Serbia was allied with Russia, who entered the war
This brought Germany in, who was allied with Austria-Hungary
Germany’s involvement brought more of Europe into the war
IT WAS A DOMINO EFFECT

5. The Alliances
Great Britain, France, and Russia formed the Triple Entente
Germany and Austria-Hungary formed the Central Powers
Many countries were scared of Germany and its leader Kaiser Wilhelm II, who had the dreaded U-boats
World’s 1st submarines

7. The United States
In 1914, Woodrow Wilson declared neutrality, and began a policy of isolationism
Staying out of world affairs
Election of 1916 –
Wilson was
re-elected, running on the
slogan “He kept us out
of war!”

8. The US Enters War
The Lusitania – a passenger ship being used to sneak supplies from the US to Great Britain – Germany torpedoed it, killing over 1200 passengers
Zimmerman Telegram – intercepted by the US, this document was from Germany, urging Mexico to attack the US

11. Wilson Faces a Problem
Wilson had won the Election of 1916 on the campaign slogan “Keep us out of war!”
Now, it looked as if he had to declare war on Germany
Wilson justified war by saying that “the world must be made safe for democracy”
Wanted the US to see the war as a battle between good and evil, and view him as noble
We joined the war in April 1917

12. The Weapons of World War I
U-boat – UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE!!!!!!!
Hand grenades
Machine guns – mechanical guns that can fire lots of rounds very rapidly
Land mines – hidden bombs planted in the ground
Mustard Gas – poisonous gas, first used by the Germans
Trench Warfare – long ditches where soldiers would take cover while they fired at the enemy

17. The Doughboys
When the US entered the war in 1917, it was not ready to fight yet
A draft was enacted to boost numbers, called the Selective Service Act
Those drafted were shipped to Europe to fight, and called the “Doughboys”
Under the command of General John J. Pershing, they played a huge role in winning the war

19. Turning Points in the War
Russia pulls out – the Russian Revolution distracted the already tired forces
US Troops save Paris – June 1917, the US Marines defeated the Germans in Paris
In late 1918, an armistice (or ceasefire) was signed, ending the war

20. The Big Four and the 14 Points
To discuss peace, the leaders of the “Big Four” met (US, Great Britain, France, and Italy)
Wilson’s 14 Points – reduction of armaments (weapons) and a League of Nations

22. The League of Nations
“Peace without Victory” – Wilson thought that lasting peace would only be achieved if countries negotiated as equals instead of as winners and losers
The League of Nations was to be a place where countries could negotiate instead of going to war

24. The League of Nations Cont’d
Although the League of Nations was formed and several nations joined, the US was ironically not one of them
Isolationism
Henry Cabot Lodge – a Senator who feared that a commitment to an international org. would lead to binding alliances that would drag us into war again

25. Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Germany was forced to sign the treaty
Made Germany take responsibility for the war
Made Germany dismantle its military
Made Germany pay war reparations (pay the debts for the war)
Just like Wilson predicted, bitterness and resentment grew among the German people, allowing Adolph Hitler to rise to power later

27. Consequences of the War
Increased role of the federal gov’t
War Industries Board – placed controls on the US economy to get supplies for US troops in Europe
Committee on Public Information – led by George Creel, it was supposed to encourage public support for the war
Food Administration –led by future President Herbert Hoover, this was meant to encourage people to conserve food for the war effort

28. Espionage and Sedition Acts
In the name of protecting national security, this legislation made it illegal to:
interfere with the draft
Obstruct the sale of Liberty Bonds
Make statements critical of the US gov’t, the Constitution, or the US military
Eugene V. Debs was convicted of criticizing the gov’t and sentenced to 10 years in prison

30. Mitchell Palmer
Debs’ campaign ad, 1920

31. Schenck v. US Charles Schenck was an opponent of WWI
He was arrested under the Espionage and Sedition Acts
Schenck argued that his arrest violated his 1st Amendment rights
RULING: The Supreme Court ruled that “freedom of speech” could be silenced when there is a “clear and present danger” involved

32. The Red Scare Begins
Bolshevik Revolution – instituted Communism in place of the csar in Russia
US politicians and big business leaders feared that a similar revolution might occur in the US
Palmer Raids – suspected communists and other “subversives” were arrested and jailed

36. Dawes Plan
Once Germany’s economy began to go into a depression, US banker Charles G. Dawes came up with a plan
The US was to give Germany money to boost its economy
The intention was good, but Germany ended up defaulting on the loans
This sent Germany, most of Europe, and the US into a depression