1. A Path to War

2. Root Causes Nationalism: Deep devotion to one’s own country & culture - at the expense of all others! – Larger nations “protected” smaller ones of similar ethnicity - e.g., Russia protected Serbia

3. Imperialism: Great nations competed for empires - those fights overseas became fights at home

4. Militarism: Nations need a big military not just for defense but for prestige. – Top army: Germany (Brits try to catch up – Top navy: Brits (Germans try to catch up)

5. Alliance system: Countries signed agreements for mutual defense. Attack on one is an attack on all… – Triple Entente: UK, France, Russia – Central Powers: Germany, Austria Hungary, Ottomans.

6. Spark that leads to war June 1914: A-H Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Bosnia. AH declares war on Serbia Russia declares supports of Serbia Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France Britain declares war on Germany

8. Fighting Begins Aug. 1914: Germany heads for France through Belgium. Germany has to beat France 1st, then turn to Russia. Allies dig defensive positions in France to repel Germans Trench warfare begins

10. U.S. position Wilson declares US “neutral” Many Americans hated the Brits anyway! – Irish had no love for Brits – Germans sympathize with home – Italians resented Brits

11. It’s about the economy America’s economic ties with Brits & France were tight - so we really weren’t “neutral” American biz made $$$ selling guns, ammo, subs, powder, engines, copper, etc.!

12. War Hits Home Brits blockade Germany. Cuts off US trade. Starves GER - 790K die GER fights back - subs (u-boats) sink Brit ships – LUSITANIA sunk, with 128 Americans onboard.

14. Still, Wilson does nothing Reelected in 1916 with slogan: “He kept us out of war” Jan 1917: Zimmermann Note (379) – GER minister offers Mexico help in getting back lost lands in return for joining war on their side.

16. Apr. 2, 1917: U.S. enters war to “make the world safe for democracy”

17. US Turns The Tide Forms AEF under Gen. John Pershing; troops ship out in May July 1918: Aussies stop Germans; US & UK begin turning them back Sept: 260K US troops go ‘over the top,’ break through GER lines