1. The War To End All Wars:

2.  1871: Prussia unites Germany into one state  Took some land from France  Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy  Triple Entente: France, Britain, and Russia  Militarism: build-up to intimidate/threaten  1900: Germany is Europe’s strongest nation

3. “Till the world comes to an end, the ultimate decision will rest with the sword”

5. European Colonies in East Asia

6. Europe Colonizes Africa

7.  Nationalism vs. Imperialism  Serbians rise against Ottoman Empire for independence, Russia helps  Austrians don’t want their Slavs getting ideas from Serbians, block Serbian action  June 28, 1914: Bosnian terrorist group, The Black Hand, assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand (future Austrian king)  Serbia rejects Austria-Hungary’s peace offer, due to ridiculous terms/demands  With Germany’s “full support” Austria-Hungary attacks Serbia on July 28

9.  Russia had prepared for war with Austria- Hungary and Germany, so it mobilizes for war with both, Germany declares war  Germany’s Schlieffen Plan calls for war with Russia, and France—first hold Russians, then invade France, with control of France, then get Russia—August 3  Aug 4: Britain declares war on Germany bringing all the great European pwrs to war

10.  Italy turns back on Germany, joins with France, Britain, and Russia; forms Allied Pwrs  Germany & Aust.-Hun. join with Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria; form Central Powers  Fighting in France (Western Front) does not move, trench warfare  The United States remains neutral  Debate about war preparations begin

12.  Most Americans favor British side of war  British use propaganda to build favor  U.S. companies/banks support Allies  British blockade Germany ports  German U-boats sink merchant ships bound for Britain, including American ships  May 7, 1915: Germany sinks the Lusitania  Over 1,000 deaths, 128 Americans dead  Germany promises to stop torpedoing ships

15.  January 1917: German Arthur Zimmermann sends telegram to Mexico, promising all lost territory if it attacked U.S.A.  British intercept the telegram, tell Americans  February 1917: German U-boats start sinking ships again (including 6 American ships)  April 1917: Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany