The Road to War America takes the lead?

Objective: To analyze the causes of World War I.

A Few Big Questions How might people respond when they feel threatened by others? What conditions might justify US entry into another country’s war? How can a country help an ally fight a war? What challenges do you think countries face when discussing a peace plan?

Trouble in Europe Nationalism, feelings of intense loyalty to one’s country was on the rise Some groups who spoke the same language wanted their own country – Germany, Italy, etc… Nations were competing for colonies in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world

Troubles in Europe (continued) Germany, Russia and Italy wanted to expand European countries were building up armies Alliances were built between countries If one country in an Alliance went to war, so did others

Causes of World War ICauses of World War I - MAINMAIN ilitarism ilitarism – policy of building up strong military forces to prepare for war llianceslliances - agreements between nations to aid and protect one another (divided Europe into competing camps) ationalismationalism – pride in or devotion to one’s country / nationality MAIN mperialism mperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically

Increase in Defense Expenditures France10% Britain13% Russia39% Germany73% Causes of WWI - M ilitarism £ £94 £ £130 £ £154 £ £268 £ £289 £ £398 Total Defense Spending in millions of £s (British pounds).

BeforeWWIBeforeWWI Triple Entente: Triple Alliance: Causes of WWI - A lliances Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Great Britain France Russia

Causes of WWI - I mperialism

Causes of WWI - N ationalism

The Big Problem Europe has created so many alliances, and is competing for so much that… Even the tiniest spark could cause war between two countries Because of alliances, war between 2 countries will turn into war between many countries

The Spark On June 28, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Hungary is visiting Bosnia He and his wife have gone there.

First Major Event of WWI

On June 28, 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist who believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia.Archduke Franz Ferdinand

First Major Event of WWI Gavrilo Princip after his assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

The Point of No Return: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia. Germany pledged their support for Austria - Hungary. Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

The Point of No Return: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Germany declares war on Russia. France pledges their support for Russia. Germany declares war on France. Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.

Eastern Front Western Front Europe on the Brink of War

What Should the United States do? President Woodrow Wilson has to decide what the United States will do? Should we stay isolationist? Should we get involved? Many Americans believe that it is Europe’s war. We should stay out of it - Isolationism