1. How did World War I begin?
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Sinking of the Lusitania
Zimmerman Note

2. The MAIN Causes
MILITARISM- aggressive build up of armed forces, as preparation for war
ALLIANCE SYSTEM- countries agreed to defend each other if attacked
IMPERIALISM- caused competition for new markets and colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific
NATIONALISM- having pride in your country, willing to defend your nation

3. Alliances to know:
Central Powers (formerly Triple Alliance) Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Triple Entente (later known as the Allies) Great Britain France Russia United States Italy

4. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
June The Archduke, heir to the Austrian throne, was visiting Bosnian capital of Sarajevo
Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip shoots and kills Ferdinand and wife Sophia
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
How did this lead to WWI?
Which of the MAIN causes apply?

6. Sinking of the Lusitania
May 7, 1915
British liner Lusitania sank by German U-boat (Unterseeboot) aka submarine
1,198 die, 128 Americans among the dead
US public angry, turns against Germany
Germany defends sinking Lusitania; said ship was carrying ammunition
Germany continues unrestricted submarine warfare
How long before US declares war on Germany? Some historians ask, “Is the sinking of the Lusitania really a cause?”

8. Zimmermann Note
A German telegram sent to German ambassador in Mexico and intercepted by British agents
Telegram proposed an alliance between Mexico and Germany
Promised that if war w/ US broke out; Germany would support Mexico
Mexico would get back “lost” territory in TX, New Mexico, and Arizona as a reward