1. Standard 6.4 World War I

2. Leading to the WWI Era Teddy Roosevelt in office in 1900 Taft 1908 Wilson 1912  Elected because Taft and Roosevelt fought over the same votes  Wilson in office during the build-up to WWI

3. World War I in Europe – M.A.I.N. causes M Militarism  Each country built huge militaries A Alliances (secret)  Triple Alliance (Central Powers) – Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy  Triple Entente (Allies) – Britain, France, Russia I Imperialism  The Euro Countries fought over new colonies in Africa and Asia N Nationalism  The key to WWI, we will discuss more later

5. WWI Imperialism

6. Nationalism “Nation” – a group of people who share a common language, religion, history, traditions “State” – a political border States can have many nations in their borders  Not all nations have their own state  Think of “Ethnicities” and different “beliefs” in the U.S.  Differences between nations lead to conflicts

7. international Nationalism leads to international conflict Competition around size of military  Russia, France, England, Germany, A-H all build military Less powerful nations ally with bigger nations Leads to a series of complex secret alliances

8. internal Nationalism leads to internal conflict Austria-Hungary is made of many “nations” Each want to be independent Each resents the Austrian overlords Many ‘terror’ groups form

9. The Catalyst of World War I Archduke of Austria – Franz Ferdinand tours Bosnia (controls Serbs) Serbian nationalist assassinates Franz Austria-Hungary decides to punish Bosnia Triggers the alliance system

10. The US Reaction to WWI The US declared neutrality Factors led to US involvement on the side of the Triple Entente (Allies)  Traditionally traded with Great Britain Remember Hamilton wanted it in 1790 Britain blocked German ports which led to more trade with Britain  Germans blocked the sea with U-Boats (Submarines)

11. The U-Boat – Death from nowhere

12. Germany had the submarine Subs couldn’t follow the “rule of engagement”  Cost innocent’s to lose lives Lusitania 1915 Lusitania sunk U.S. and Wilson angry but didn’t immediately declare war  Got Germany to promise not to do it again

13. In fact, Wilson ran for re-election in 1916 His Campaign speech was “He kept us out of War” The Zimmerman Telegram  Germany promised Mexico U.S. territory if they attacked U.S. Meant to keep US busy and not go to Europe Irritated the Americans and pushed them to war

14. The U.S. fights for DEMOCRACY! Social Darwinism suggests we need to teach people the “right way to govern”  This includes democracy and constitutions Russia had an absolute monarch & part of the allies  it was tough to join the allies and say we were “protecting democracy” Luckily, Russia overthrew their monarch in 1917 (Russian Revolution)  Now we could join the allies to promote democacy by fighting the German Kaiser!

15. The German Mistake Germany ends ban on unrestricted submarine war Wilson irritated  Also wants to be part of the peace treaty delegation declares war in 1917  Joins the allies  To “make world safe for democacy”

16. The American Expeditionary Force (Army) Deflects the last push of the Germans on the “western front” of France Armistice declared on 11/11/18  Ended the fighting

19. Mobilizing the Home front Caused ethnic conflict Propaganda used German slurs  German-American discrimination Caused ideological Conflict  Sedition Act limited objection to the war  Schenck v. US  limitation on free speech

20. Remember Wilson wanted to influence the peace treaty? Took leadership role in Versailles  First president to travel over seas on business Issued the 14 Points  Eliminate many causes of the war No secret alliances A “League of Nations” Independence for nations (within states) He didn’t understand the mindset of Europe

21. Europe wanted to PUNISH! Who started WWI?  A Serbian killed an Austrian Archduke and a series of military alliances kicked in Who was forced to take blame?  Germany  Called the War Guilt Clause Germany PAID  Forced to pay about $32 billion (roughly equivalent to $393.6 Billion US Dollars as of 2005)

22. Wilson’s 14 points Most were included  Nations broken into separate states  Could accommodate all of them  Ex. Jewish state not created Part of reason for WWII US senate not willing to accept League of Nations  Refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles Had to sign a separate peace with Germany