I. Watching Europe’s War

A. Wilson’s Foreign Policy Self determination- the right to choose the form of govt. that you live under.

Broad Overview Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo. About a month later, Austria declared war on Serbia. A web of alliances among the Great Powers quickly drew virtually all of Europe into the war. Russia backed Serbia and brought France into the conflict as one of the Allies. Germany joined Austria, forming the Central Powers. Britain and Italy joined the Allies, and Turkey and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers.

B. Origins of Great War Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Gavrilo Princip Bosnian Student Serbian Nationalist

C. The Alliances Triple Entente(Allies) Britain France Russia Central Powers Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire

D. Early Years of the War Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia July 28, 1914 Germany declares war on France and Russia Britain declares war on Germany for invading Belgium

The War Begins

E. Fields of Death (Why?) Old fashioned strategies and new technology “Over the top” was no match for machine guns

A New Brand of Fighting

Where was the war?

F. New Weapons 1. Machine Guns

2. Flamethrowers

3. Tanks

4. Planes

German Airship

5. Big Guns

Bigger Guns

6. Poison Gas

6. Grenade Launchers

7. Trench Warfare

8. Trench Problems Lice rats dampness and cold dysentery gangrene trench mouth

9. U-Boats

10. New Bombs

F. The Wounded

G. American Neutrality? Wilson publicly proclaims American neutrality U.S. interest lean toward Allies Reports that came from Europe vilified the Germans The Lusitania

Europe Pre - WWI

Were we really neutral? Country had many immigrants, but we still had British ties Exports tell the story The Zimmerman Note and Lusitania turn the tide of sentiment

H. The Reelection Wilson wins election of 1916 “He kept us out of war!”

I. Closer to War The Zimmermann telegraph January 31, 1917, Germany announced an unrestricted submarine campaign. German’s sink U.S. supply ship Illinois on March 18, 1917. April 2,1917, Wilson asked for a Declaration of War.

Zimmerman Note

Sinking of the Lusitania

US Propaganda

Time for the Big Dog to Eat Selective Service Act – 10 million volunteer Mass building of ships, nothing helps an economy like a war

American Impact Convoy system to ship goods (military ships around a merchant ship) New enthusiasm among men boasted morale Gen. John Pershing was US Commander

The Tide Turns Germany had knocked Russia out, all men on the Western Front in France Story of Alvin York, reborn Christian persuaded to fight, kills

Western Front (1917-1918)

Towards the End of War Germany’s resources almost depleted Soldiers tired and weary, on both sides Fighting ends on Nov. 11th, 1918 30 nations involved $350 billion war

League of Nations is rejected Countries cannot agree on punishment France wants worst for Germany They finally agree on Wilson’s League of Nations Congress votes down Wilson’s idea

Soldier Sentiment On both sides of no-man’s land, the trenches erupted. Brown-uniformed men poured out of the American trenches, gray-green uniforms out of the German trenches.. . I watched them throw their helmets in the air, discard their guns, wave their hands. . . I could see them hugging each other, dancing, jumping. . .. After four years of slaughter and hatred, they were not only hugging each other but kissing each other on both cheeks as well.