World War I and Why it Happened

Causes Nationalism Nationalism Imperialism/Militarism Imperialism/Militarism Alliances Alliances The Triple Entente/The Allies The Triple Entente/The Allies The Triple Alliance/Central Powers The Triple Alliance/Central Powers

Gavrilo Princip

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Serbian nationalist, Princip, shoots and kills the archduke and his wife Serbian nationalist, Princip, shoots and kills the archduke and his wife Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, a friend of Russia, and then all of Europe joins in Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, a friend of Russia, and then all of Europe joins in

The Fighting Begins Germany used a plan known as the “Schliefen Plan” to attack-Hold against Russia and then attack Belgium to get to France Germany used a plan known as the “Schliefen Plan” to attack-Hold against Russia and then attack Belgium to get to France No side is able to inflict a final defeat on the other, both sides dig in and hundreds of miles of trenches are created No side is able to inflict a final defeat on the other, both sides dig in and hundreds of miles of trenches are created

Trench Warfare Trenches were flooded and muddy Trenches were flooded and muddy Constantly damp with poor sanitary conditions Constantly damp with poor sanitary conditions Disease was widespread Disease was widespread Rats the size of cats Rats the size of cats Land between the two trenches known as “No Man’s Land” Land between the two trenches known as “No Man’s Land” Fighting was horrific, on one day Britain would lose 60k men Fighting was horrific, on one day Britain would lose 60k men

The United States We don’t want to fight this stupid war 3000 miles away We don’t want to fight this stupid war 3000 miles away Socialists criticized the war calling it a struggle between imperialist/oppressive nations Socialists criticized the war calling it a struggle between imperialist/oppressive nations Pacifists called war “Evil”(page 377) Pacifists called war “Evil”(page 377) Millions of Americans claimed ancestry from the combatant countries Millions of Americans claimed ancestry from the combatant countries However, common ancestry with Britain led more Americans to sympathize with Britain However, common ancestry with Britain led more Americans to sympathize with Britain Business was booming in the United States who sold supplies to the allies Business was booming in the United States who sold supplies to the allies

Britain’s Navy

Blockade Great Britain used their massive navy to blockade the German controlled coasts Great Britain used their massive navy to blockade the German controlled coasts Hundreds of thousands of Germans starved Hundreds of thousands of Germans starved Germany used “U-Boats” to challenge the British blockade Germany used “U-Boats” to challenge the British blockade Germany sank the cruise liner “Lusitania” which carried hundreds of Americans Germany sank the cruise liner “Lusitania” which carried hundreds of Americans

OUTRAGE! Americans furious over the loss of American lives and public opinion in the USA turned against Germany Americans furious over the loss of American lives and public opinion in the USA turned against Germany New American President, Woodrow Wilson pledged to keep the USA out of war New American President, Woodrow Wilson pledged to keep the USA out of war

The USA enters the War Zimmermann note Zimmermann note –Secret correspondence from Germany to Mexico –Wanted Mexico to attack US –Promised them New Mexico, Texas and Arizona Russian Revolution Russian Revolution –Russia becomes a democracy April 2 nd 1917 US enters war April 2 nd 1917 US enters war

Not Ready Only 200,000 men in army Only 200,000 men in army Selective Service Act Selective Service Act –May million men registered 24 million men registered –3 million called up –2 million sent to Europe

The Convoy System German U-Boats continued to sink Allied ships German U-Boats continued to sink Allied ships Convoy system put a stop to that Convoy system put a stop to that 230 miles barrier of mines from Scotland to Norway 230 miles barrier of mines from Scotland to Norway

The Toll 22 million dead (over 50% civilians) 22 million dead (over 50% civilians) 10 million refugees 10 million refugees $338,000,000,000 cost of war $338,000,000,000 cost of war US Deaths US Deaths –48,000 killed in battle –62,000 killed by disease 200,000 wounded 200,000 wounded

Convoy System German U-Boats continued to sink Allied ships German U-Boats continued to sink Allied ships Convoy system put a stop to that Convoy system put a stop to that 230 miles barrier of mines from Scotland to Norway 230 miles barrier of mines from Scotland to Norway

Paying For War US spent $35.5 billion on war US spent $35.5 billion on war To raise money, taxed tobacco, liquor and luxury goods To raise money, taxed tobacco, liquor and luxury goods Liberty Loans Liberty Loans Bonds sold Bonds sold Victory Gardens were encouraged Victory Gardens were encouraged

Propaganda Biased communication desigend to influence people’s thoughts and actions Biased communication desigend to influence people’s thoughts and actions Created by the “Committee on Public Information” Created by the “Committee on Public Information” –Headed by George Creel, former muckraker Promoted patriotism Promoted patriotism Made people hate foreigners Made people hate foreigners

The Peace President Wilson creates 14 points speech President Wilson creates 14 points speech –No secret treaties –Free oceans –Free trade –Armies should be reduced to only what is necessary to protect a nation –Colonial powers should protect the people they conquer Also wanted to form new nations for diverse ethnic groups Also wanted to form new nations for diverse ethnic groups

US President Woodrow Wilson