Brainstorm-What do you think this cartoon is describing?

Beginnings of WWI 12.1

Spark of War Immediate cause-the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, on June 28, 1914. The Archduke was visiting Bosnia, a new Austro-Hungarian province. Shot by a Bosnian who believed that Austria-Hungary had no right to rule Bosnia. However, the main causes of the war existed long before 1914.

Causes of WWI Militarism Powerful nations in Europe had built up armed forces and gave the military more authority over the country Alliances Different groups of European nations had pledged to come to one another’s aid in the event of attack. Imperialism Competition for colonial lands in Africa and elsewhere led to conflict among the major European powers. Nationalism Great powers of Europe acted in their own interests in order to make their countries strong

Outbreak of War Convinced that Serbia was behind the Archduke’s assassination, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Russia, as Serbia’s protector (had an alliance), moved to defend them France, Russia’s ally, and Germany, Austria-Hungary’s ally, also began moving troops.

Alliances When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, the complex alliance system in Europe drew much of the continent into the conflict.

Alliances Germany, located between France and Russia, wanted to conquer France quickly to avoid the need to fight on two fronts. To get to France, German forces had to pass through neutral Belgium; the invasion of Belgium brought Britain into the conflict as well.

Now back to the Picture…

The Sides-Major Countries Central Powers Allies Germany Russia Austria-Hungary France (Ottoman Empire-Later) Great Britain (Bulgaria-Later) Serbia (Italy-Later)

Ottoman Empire This was the longest surviving Muslim Empire in history (Currently the country of Turkey) When German ships were granted safe harbor in an Ottoman port then attacked a Russian port, the Ottomans were dragged into the war on the Central Powers side

Early Fighting-Stalemate By September 1914, the war had reached a stalemate, a situation in which neither side is able to gain an advantage. Small gains in land resulted in huge numbers of human casualties. Both sides continued to add new allies, hoping to gain an advantage.

Trench Warfare When a French and British force stopped a German advance near Paris, both sides holed up in trenches separated by an empty “no man’s land.” In Trench Warfare, soldiers spent months confined underground leading to sickness, and both physical and mental disease

Trouble of War New Technology Machine guns, hand grenades, artillery shells, and poison gas killed thousands of soldiers As morale fell, the lines between soldiers and civilians began to blur. armies began to burn fields, kill livestock, and poison wells.

America’s Stance Due to immigration, support for each side was mixed in the U.S. (There were a lot of German and British immigrants). To protect American investments overseas , President Wilson officially proclaimed the United States a neutral country on August 4, 1914. Preparedness Movement-Despite this, the government began to prepare for involvement.

Review Questions What were the main causes (immediate and long term) of WWI? Which countries made up the Allies? How did technology impact fighting? What was the initial U.S. Policy regarding the war?