The Start of WWI

Four Long Term Causes of the war Nationalism – allegiance to a country and belief that a persons own country is superior and more important then another country Imperialism – Taking control of a territory to increase your nations wealth and power Militarism – Building up of a nations armies and weapons supplies in response to other countries build-ups

System of Alliances –Defensive Pacts: you agree to protect your allies if they are attacked by a country –Triple Entente France Great Britain Russia –Triple Alliance Germany Austria-Hungary Italy

Trouble in the Balkans

Events that Sparked WWI Ethnic Rivalries – –Germanic – The Germans and Austrians believed their heritage was superior to all other cultures and ethnicities –Slavic – The main ethnic group in the Balkans. They were ruled and by other outside influences.

Cont. Archduke Franz Ferdinand –Next in line for the Austrian crown –Believed peace could be achieved by good relations with the Serbians –Wanted to bring Freedom to the Balkans

Cont. The Black Hand –A secret society that was Pro- Serbian Independence group and Pro- Slavic –Planned on assassinating prominent Austrians – including Ferdinand’s

Cont. Gavrilo Princip –Born in Bosnia –Recruited by the Black Hand because of his Anti-Hungarian and Germanic beliefs –Assassinated Ferdinand and his wife on June 28 th 1914

Cont. Austria-Hungary vs. Serbia –Austria tightens its control on Serbia, and attacks the small country. Killing many civilians –This causes the Serbians to retaliate, which causes Austria to declare war on Serbia –Austria believed it could easily defeat the small nation.

Europe goes to war

America Stays Neutral Why –Isolationist – US should not get involved in other countries affairs –Government – War would be costly –Socialist – War will only benefit the wealthy and powerful –Pacifist – US should lead as a moral example and avoid war –German Americans – Wanted to support Germany –British Americans – Wanted to support Britain

US Economy and the War Economic Ties –US sold goods to both sides of the War US Exports –US sold more goods to England then to Germany. We depended more on England to buy goods Labor Shortages –US factories boomed, more jobs then people