World War I 1914-1918

A. The Big Idea: Extreme national pride and rivalries existed between the European countries. Nationalism- Taking great pride in your country or homeland There were increased tensions between the countries of Europe and their colonial empires across the globe. Countries were compelled to form protective alliances to safeguard against rivals Alliance system caused WWI to progress from a regional conflict to a major worldwide event. Triple Alliance- Italy, Germany, Austria-Hungary (1882) Triple Entente- England, Russia, France (1907)

: 3. Technology from the Industrial Revolution changed the way wars would be fought. European nations were aggressively preparing for war Building large armies Creating new weapons (machine gun, armored tank) Consequence of industrialization Countries needed to provide protection for their homeland and their colonies

B. The Serbian Problem The Serbs were an Ethnic minority living in Europe They wanted to create their own nation that could live under their flag (Nationalism) Supported by Russia Austria-Hungary wanted to prevent the minority people from having their own country

C. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary Serbian terrorists group “The Black Hand” planned to assassinate him to help their cause June 28, 1914: Gravilo Princip of “The Black Hand” successfully assassinated Ferdinand

4. Response of Austria-Hungary They didn’t know if the Serbian Government was responsible, but they didn’t care. They saw this as an opportunity to crush the Serbs. They made sure that Germany would support them (Triple Alliance) before they attacked the Serbs Russia agreed to help Serbia, who they had an alliance with.

D. Germany’s Schlieffen Plan Plans to fight a two front war (East and West) Germany attacks France in the west with full force in hopes of an easy victory Planned a defensive war in the East against Russia until troops in the west were free to join the fight Germany was stopped on both sides by the French and the Russians, a stalemate ensued

E. Trench Warfare They sent thousands of men in waves of attacks hoping to break through the enemies trench Men slept for weeks in the mud Disease and new military technology greatly increased the amount of casualties

F. New Weapons Machine gun Armored Tank Airplane Submarines

G. America Enters the War The Lusitania Germany used U-boats (submarines) to attack all ships heading to England Germany was warned against sinking passenger ships Germany sinks the Lusitania A British passenger ship carrying many Americans citizens Germany warns Americans to stay off British ships

2. Zimmerman Telegram Germany attempts to bring Mexico into the war Promised to return lands Mexico lost to the U.S. (Texas, New Mexico) Message was intercepted by the British and given to the US. America enters the war against Germany

3. America Saves the Day Russia is the largest country in the war, but technologically inferior Russia drops out of the war after their government is overthrown by the Bolsheviks US brings fresh troops and new supplies into the war, sealing victory for the Allies.

H. Treaty of Versailles Concluded the war, but had very harsh consequences for Germany Lost territory to France and Poland Lost all overseas colonies Lost its navy Greatly reduced German army to a police force War Guilt Clause forced Germany to accept blame for starting WWI Forced to pay huge reparations to the Allies

I. Discontent in Germany People resented the government for accepting the terms of the treaty To pay the debt owed to the Allies, the government printed more money Huge inflation occurred, leading to an economic crisis in Germany Revival of nationalist sentiment and rejection of post-war changes led Germans to look to more radical leadership

Aftermath Disease Casualties Millions of men died in the war not from fighting, but from infections due to poor sanitation, as well as diseases such as influenza, typhus, and malaria Casualties Allies Central Powers Dead 5,525,000 4,386,000 Wounded 12,831,500 8,388,000 Missing 4,121,000 3,629,000