The United States in WWI The Great War The United States in WWI

Five (Four)Main Causes of World War I M-A-N-I-A Militarism Alliance System Nationalism Imperialism Assassination

Militarism Nations begin to build up their militaries Usually in response to what other nations were doing “Keeping up with the Jones’s”

Alliance System Nations make agreements to protect each other in case they are attacked Triple Alliance Triple Entente Austria-Hungary Germany Italy (will join Allies in 1915) Great Britain Russia France Unites States (will Join in 1917

Nationalism Loyalty to your nation, belief that your nation is the best and strongest

Imperialism Countries in Europe (Just like in the US) desire more land, wealth and colonies. Nations compete to see who can get the most colonies

Assassination Sparking Event (June 28, 1914) The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sofia by a member of the Black Hand

The War Begins Central Powers Allied Powers Austria-Hungary Germany Bulgaria Ottoman Empire Serbia Russia France Great Britain 1915 – Italy The United States is neutral for the first three years of the war and many Americans want to stay out of the war.

Why did the US enter the war Submarine Warfare — Germans warn that all ships entering the waters around the British Isles are subjected to be sunk German Unterseeboot (U-Boat)

Lusitania Lusitania (May 1915) passenger ship sunk by German U-boat May have been carrying ammunition as well as passengers -- passengers warned not to travel on Lusitania Wilson protests -- nothing happened

The Final Straw Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Jan. 1917) Early January 1917 -- Germany decided to pursue “unrestricted submarine warfare” Tell Wilson on January 31st, he cuts off diplomatic ties

The Final Straw Zimmerman Telegraph (March 1, 1917) Coded message from Germany to Mexico. Says if Mexico attacks US, Germany will help Mexico take back Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. British intercepted, decoded and sent to the US

The Final Straw Russian Revolution (March 15, 1917) Czar Nicholas II of Russia is toppled from power and Russia is taken over by a republican government (no communists yet) Russia not a monarchy - - now it is a war between democracy & autocratic rule

America Enters the War Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war. What impact did US soldiers have on the war? America’s military resources of soldiers and war materials tipped the balance of the war and led to Germany’s defeat.

Following the War The Paris Peace Conference and the Fourteen Points Fourteen Points are Wilson’s plan to eliminate the causes of war Key ideas Self-determination Freedom of the sea League of Nations Mandate system French and English insisted on punishment of Germany.

Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles Germany accepted responsibility for starting the war A League of Nations was created. National boundaries were redrawn, creating many new nations.

US stance on the Treaty The United States did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles Did not like the League of Nations Did not want to be involved in European Affairs