World War I

Causes Imperialism: each country competing with each other for unclaimed territories Militarism: aggressively building up a nation’s armed forces in preparation for war Nationalism: belief that national interests and national unity should be placed ahead of global cooperation Alliances: designed to bolster a nation’s security

Alliances Germany won Fr provinces of Alsace and Loraine as a result of war Fr wanted territory back to reunited Fr speaking people Otto von Bismarck (Iron Chancellor) untied German into powerful nation Formed allies w/ Austria-Hungary and Italy: Triple Alliance (Central Powers: center of Europe) Britain, France and Russia formed Triple Entente (Allies)

Outbreak of War Serbia wanted Bosnia, Bosnia claimed by Austria Hungary Gavrilo Princip member of Black Hand, killed Archduke Francis Ferdinand, wanted A/H to recognize Serbia’s claim of Bosnia July 28, 1914: A/H declared war on Serbia Russia (rival of A/H) gathered troops to help Serbia, Fr supported Rus Aug 1, 1914: Ger declared war on Rus Aug 3, 1914: Ger declared war on Fr

Outbreak of War Aug 4, 1914: Ger invaded Belgium (neutral) to get to Fr, Br declared war on Ger Aug 12: Br declared war on A/H

America’s Neutrality Aug 4: Pres Wilson issued proclamation of neutrality, wanted US to be mediator Ger invading Belgium made US sympathize w/ Br & Fr Allies flooded US markets needing supplies 1917: US prepared for war against central powers

British Blockade Prevent weapons, military goods, & food from entering Ger Ger found it difficult to import goods Unable to grow food, famine struck the country

U-Boats Ger used to respond to blockade Any ship found in waters around Br would be sunk, not always possible to warn passengers Amer mad about attacks, Ger promised it would signal before sinking May 7, 1915: U-Boat sank Br Liner Lusitania off coast of Ireland, 128 Amer on board, Ger said liner was carrying ammunition and explosives

US Still Neutral Wilson did not want a military response to sinking of liner July 1915: U-Boat sank Arabic, drowning 2 Amer, U-Boat torpedoed Fr liner Sussex (did not sink) 80 passengers killed US warned it would break off diplomatic ties w/ Ger Ger agreed, but only if GB would lift blockade, if not Ger would use unrestricted warfare

End of Neutrality Wilson won re-election in 1916; He kept us out of the war All nations joined in a league for peace that would work to extend democracy, maintain freedom of seas, reduce arms Jan 31: Kaiser Wilhelm announces that any boat in Br waters will be sunk Meant US had to go to war

End to Neutrality Zimmerman Note: telegraph sent by Ger foreign minster to Ger ambassador in Mexico; intercepted by GB  Suggested an alliance b/w Mexico and Ger  Ger would help Mexico recover lost lands (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona)  Ger sank 4 unarmed Amer ships Wilson believed it had to join the war

Wartime Selective Service: required men to register w/ govt b/w ages of 18-45, married men and those w/ dependents excused Women not drafted; Army Corp of Nurses Weapons: Germans: Big Bertha- cannon, Zeppelins: gas filled airship, machine gun: sprayed 600 rounds of ammunition, poisonous gas

Collapse of Germany Nov 9: people in Berlin rose in rebellion, socialist leaders claimed the reestablishment of a Ger Republic Kaiser left the throne Eleventh hour, eleventh day in the eleventh month of 1918; Ger declared a cease fire A/H and Ottoman Empires surrendered years earlier

War at Home Women took over men’s roles War Industries Board: encouraged companies to eliminate waste by standardizing products, set production quotas, allocated raw materials Daylight Savings Time: way to take advantage of longer summer days Economy: food rationing Finance: steeper income tax, war profits tax, higher excise tax, war bonds Propaganda:

Civil Liberties Attacks against Amer born in other countries Espionage and Sedition Acts: person could be fined up to $10,000 and sentenced to 20 years for interfering with the draft, obstructing sale of war bonds, saying anything disloyal Industrial Workers of the World

Social Changes Flu Epidemic Great Migration Women

Wilson’s Fourteen Points 1. end of entangling alliance 2. Freedom of the seas 3. Removal of international trade barriers, tariffs 4. Reduction of armaments 5. Impartial adjustment of colonial claims (self- determination) adjustment of European boundaries 14. Creation of League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919Big Four (Wilson (US), Clemenceau (FR), Lloyd George (Br), Orlando (It) and leaders of defeated nations Redrew boundaries in Europe, Ger was demilitarized of air force and most of navy, reduction of army, return of Alsace- Lorraine to Fr, pay reparations, sign war guilt clause

War Legacy Horrible post war economy Ger searching for scapegoats Austrian Corporal blamed problems on Jews, socialist govt