The M.A.I.N Causes of World War I Militarism: the buildup of armaments (military; arms) and the glorification of the military. Alliances: the formal or informal pact in which countries agree to defend each other in times of war. Imperialism: when a stronger country dominates a weaker one, socially, politically, and economically. Nationalism: pride in ones country; patriotism Overall, World War I (1914-1918) was caused by competition among industrial nations in Europe and a failure of diplomacy. The war transformed European and American life, wrecked the economies of Europe, and planted the seeds for a second world war.

The Key Players of World War I (1914-1918) Archduke Franz Ferdinand – Prince and heir of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His assassination is what “sparks” the beginning of World War I. Gavrillo Princip – Serbian terrorist/nationalist and member of the Black Hand, who assassinated Franz Ferdinand. Kaiser Wilhelm II – King of Germany during World War I Tsar Nicholas II – the incompetent Tsar of Russia during World War I. Woodrow Wilson – the President of the United States during World War I. Vladimir Lenin – Russia Communist leader who starts the Russian Revolution, which results in Russia pulling out of World War I.

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination was what made years of tension among the European powers finally take a turn for the worse. Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, visited Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia) and rode through the streets in an open car on June 28, 1914. The Assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was a Serbian nationalist and member of the Black Hand, a secret society committed to ridding Bosnia of Austrian rule. Austria attempted to punish Serbia since Princip was Serbian. This led to the numerous declaration of wars, which started World War I.

The United States Enters the War There are two events which provoked the “neutral” United States into entering World War I… 1.) The Sinking of the Lusitania On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner sailing from New York to Liverpool, England. Of the more than 1,900 passengers and crew members on board, more than 1,100 perished, including more than 120 Americans. 2.) The Zimmerman Note The Zimmerman Note was a telegram intercepted by Great Britain in the early months of 1917. Basically, it was a note persuading Mexico to enter the war on the side of Germany. If Germany won the war, Mexico would receive land they had lost to the United States in the past, in other words, they would receive American states, such as Texas, New Mexico, etc. The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.