WW I Overview (It’s going to be on the TEST!)

 The countries in Europe   The central powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey (Ottoman Empire)  The Allies ; France, Great Britain, and eventually the United States  The 4 main causes of WW I  Nationalism-Great pride in one’s country  Imperialism-Acquiring other nations for resources, economic growth  Militarism-The unlimited growth of the military  Alliances- treaties signed by a number of nations to protect each other in case of attack Start of the War

 The countries in Europe   Leaders of the countries involved  CENTRAL POWERS  Germany  Kaiser Wilhelm II  Ottoman Empire  Sultan Mehmed V  ALLIES  Great Britain  King George V  France  Georges Benjamin Clemenceau  United States  Woodrow Wilson  Russia  Before 1917-Czar Nicolas II After 1917-Vladimir Lenin Start of the War

 The spark that kicked off WW I  The assassination of Franz Ferdinand, The leader of Austria Hungary, was murdered by a Serbian  Austria-Hungary then declares war on Serbia, which is in a treaty with Russia who declares war on Austria  The war officially starts 1914 Start of the War

 The early years  Trenches, built to slow down the advance of Germany, take shape and the war grinds down to a halt  Stalemate-where neither side is able to advance very far but the loss of life is tremendous. The brutality of War

 U.S. Involvement  At the start of the war, the U.S. wants to maintain neutrality, and stay out of what is happening in Europe  Sussex Pledge-Germany’s promise to not sink U.S. ships or kill U.S. citizens  Sinking of the Lusitania by German U-Boats (Submarines) Brings the U.S. into the war against Germany  The Selective Service Act (The draft) brings young American men into the armed forces The brutality of War