WWI: The Great War “Uh-oh, running out of breath, but I Oh, I, I got stamina I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest” -Sia (feat. Kendrick)

M.A.I.N Causes of WW1 Militarism – glorification of military strength Alliances – European nations divided into different alliances Imperialism – the desire and intent to acquire power over other nations Nationalism – a pride in one’s nation

Alliance System Allies (Triple Entente) – France, Great Britain, Russia Central Powers (Triple Alliance) – Germany, Austrian Empire, Ottoman Empire later Japan, Italy, and U.S. enter, they remain neutral at the start of the war

Beginning of the War June 28th 1914 - Archduke Ferdinand (heir to the Austrian throne) is assassinated by a Serbian terrorist This leads to a series of wars being declared that eventually include almost all of Europe

Austria Declares War July 28th, 1914 - Austria declares war on Serbia! (Germany agrees to support Austria if Russia joins the war) Russia has alliance with Serbia and begins to mobilize (moves troops) to Austrian border this is seen as an act of war

Germany declares war Aug 1st, 1914 – Germany declares war on Russia France begins to mobilize Germany declares war on France on Aug 3rd, 1914

Invasion of Belgium Aug 3rd, 1914 – Germany invades Belgium (a neutral country) on their way to France Britain declares war on Germany for violating Belgian neutrality Led to all the great European powers were at war Many believed the war would be over by Christmas

Western Front The Western Front was the area between France and Germany. Battle of Marne (Sept 1914) – Germany advances as far as Paris before being halted and pushed back by French and British forces War becomes a stalemate

New Type of War fare Trench Warfare- war fought from trenches dug along each side’s front lines No Man’s Land – area between the front lines

New Weapons Machine gun Tanks Airplanes Poison gas U-boats Zeppelins Radio

War of Attrition War based on wearing down the other side through heavy attacks and losses Both sides begin to look for allies to unbalance the stalemate in their favor

How the US Helped Win WWI Why was WWI significant for America? What was the effect of US military power on WWI? Why did the US have this effect? What decision did the Senate make in 1920? What decision did the US make that same year? What event reversed this decision?