1. The Shot Heard Around the World….
The only thing needed to start a world war is one tiny spark

2. The Spark: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
June 1914
Gavrilo Princip and Black Hand (Serbian nationalism)
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Alliance system brings many countries in on what was expected to be a small war
August 1, Germany declares war on Russia
August 3, Germany declares war on France
Germany invades Belgium
Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary

4. The Fighting Starts Germany invades Belgium using the Schlieffan Plan
Split armies, one to keep Russia at bay, the other to go through Belgium and then take France
Then take both armies and make a push at Russia
Allies pushed back to Marne River, and stopped German advance in Sept. 1914
Trench Warfare and “no man’s land”
Very devastating to both sides

7. . .

8. Why is America Staying Neutral?
1914, most Americans saw no need to get involved in a war 3,000 miles away
many saw the war as a struggle with capitalist an imperialist countries to gain more power around the world
Many new citizens still had families back in their other country fighting in the war
America’s tries with the Allies were stronger than with the Central Powers, send military supplies

9. The War Hits Home Why is America mobilizing for war in 1917?
Make sure they are paid back for the loans given to the Allies
Keep Germany from threatening U.S. shipping
British Blockade of German coast and North Sea
Causes American ships to stop helping Germany
Causes severe famine across Germany by 1917

10. Germany’s response to the blockade
U-Boats (submarines)
Any ship in waters around Britain would be destroyed sometimes with no warning
May 7, 1915, sinking of Lusitania (some were American)
American public opinion against Germany and the Central Powers
Germany continues to sink passengers ships with warnings from the U.S.
Election 1916
Wilson wins on slogan “He Kept Us out of War”

12. .

13. US Declares WAR! Zimmerman Note
April 2, 1917 Wilson gives war resolution speech, a few days later Congress declares war