2. Timeline of Immediate Causes 1914 o Sarajevo, June 28: Gavrilo Princip assassinates Austrian Archduke Ferdinand o Vienna, July 23: Austria issue ultimatum to Serbia and invades (26 th ) o St. Petersburg, July 31: Russia mobilizes against Austria o Berlin, August 1: Germany declares war on Russia o Berlin, August 3: Germany declares war on France and invades Belgium o London, August 4: Great Britain declares war on Germany

3. Underlying Causes of WWI -Militarism -Alliances -Imperialism -Nationalism

4. POLICY OF NEUTRALITY Pres. Wilson Encourages “impartial in thought as well as deed” Struggles with being neutral Ethnic divisions German and Irish immigrants support Germany Other ethnicities sympathize with Britain Economic ties Trade with Britain extremely important War orders from Britain and France lead to economic boom

5. The War Debate Preparedness vs. Pacifist Preparedness National Defense Act (June, 1916) Construction of 50 New Warships Pacifists Populists, Progressives, and Socialists W.J. Bryan, Jane Addams, Jeannette Rankin Election of 1916 Wilson “Kept us out of war.” Peace Efforts Attempts at mediation rebuffed January, 1917: “peace without victory”

6. A NEW WORLD ORDER Wilson’s justification for war Congressional Address 1917 Presents a plan for postwar order, The League of Nations. Maintain peace Allows self determination for all nations

7. U.S. Enters the War Unrestricted Submarine Warfare German announcement (January 31, 1917) U.S. breaks diplomatic ties Immediate Causes Zimmerman Telegram (March 1, 1917) Germany wants Mexico to fight the U.S. Promises to give Mexico back land lost previously Russian Revolution (March 15) Renewed Submarine Attacks Unarmed American merchant vessels sunk Declaration of War April 2, 1917