World War I

Causes for World War I M.A.I.N.Militarism  glorification of war/military  “arms race”

Causes for World War I M.A.I.N.Militarism  glorification of war/military  “arms race” Alliances  defensive agreements among nations  Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy developed to oppose French  Triple Entente (1907): Great Britain, France, Russia  developed to oppose Germany & Austria- Hungary

What’s the gist? ALLIANCE IF ONE NATION WAS INVOLVED IN A CONFLICT, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE WOULD COME TO THEIR AID MINOR CONFLICT MAJOR WAR INSTEAD OF MAKING EUROPE SAFER, THESE RIVALRIES AND ALLIANCES MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR A MINOR CONFLICT TO TURN INTO A MAJOR WAR

Who ends up fighting who? Germany, Austria-Hungary (Central Powers) v. USA, Great Britain, France (Russia) (Allied Powers) (Italy ‘changes teams’ and fights on the side of the British for this war)

WWIImperialism  European powers were competing for land & resources Nationalism (again)  Increased pride in one’s nation  There were lots of different nations in Europe and they weren’t all neatly living together in the same country  This made things tricky  A nation is a group of people (often ethnic group), NOT a state or country

The Spark Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Europe descends into total war The U.S. stays out After only one year of fighting, Europe has reached “bloody stalemate” No clear winner; the war is “deadlock” and men just keep dying No clear winner; the war is “deadlock” and men just keep dying Nature of trench warfare lends itself to war of attrition Morale plummets Thousands of British (our “friends”) soldiers perish There seems to be no end in sight

May 7, 1915

Sinking of the Lusitania British passenger ship Carrying British and American citizens, as well as American goods Kept secret: boat is carrying ammunition and war materials and the Germans know this Kept secret: boat is carrying ammunition and war materials and the Germans know this Attacked by German U-boats on May 7, ,100 + civilians die!

Zimmerman Telegram German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman → Ambassador in DC → Ambassador in Mexico  January 16, 1917  Message was “stolen” by British

Zimmerman Telegram Zimmerman Telegraph: Effectively, Germany told Mexico that if it assisted Germany in the war, that Germany would see to it that Mexico would regain land lost to America in the Mexican American War.

President Woodrow Wilson On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asks Congress to declare war America wanted to “make the world safe for democracy” On April 6 th Congress declares war

America Enters the War USA = neutral 1914 to 1917 Reasons for American Entrance: 1.Germans submarines attack ships off the coast of GB Message: American goods and people are on some of those ships! Interference with commerce! Message: American goods and people are on some of those ships! Interference with commerce! 2.Zimmerman telegram 3.American loyalty to GB

America’s Role Without American intervention many historians argue that Great Britain could not have won the war America provided resources Soldiers War materials (tanks, planes, etc) War ended only 1.5 years after American entry!!

So, what do we need to take away from all this? US, Great Britain (GB), France v. Germany and Austria-Hungary NEUTRAL US did not enter the War until 3 yrs in– remained NEUTRAL from US entered the war in large part to help GB because of its great relationship with them US helped GB and France win the war! President Wilson was our American war time leader

Trench Foot This was an infection of the feet caused by cold, wet and unsanitary conditions. In the trenches men stood for hours on end in waterlogged trenches without being able to remove wet socks or boots. The feet would gradually go numb and the skin would turn red or blue. If untreated, trench foot could turn gangrenous and result in amputation.

Trench Foot

WARNING – Gross picture ahead!

Trench Foot

Flaming Coffins” “ Flaming Coffins”

Declaration of Neutrality August 19, 1914 The effect of the war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do. Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned. The spirit of the nation in this critical matter will be determined largely by what individuals and society and those gathered in public meetings do and say, upon what newspapers and magazines contain, upon what ministers utter in their pulpits, and men proclaim as their opinions upon the street. The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that there should be the utmost variety of sympathy and desire among them with regard to the issues and circumstances of the conflict. Some will wish one nation, others another, to succeed in the momentous struggle. It will be easy to excite passion and difficult to allay it. Those responsible for exciting it will assume a heavy responsibility, responsibility for no less a thing than that the people of the United States, whose love of their country and whose loyalty to its government should unite them as Americans all, bound in honor and affection to think first of her and her interests, may be divided in camps of hostile opinion, hot against each other, involved in the war itself in impulse and opinion if not in action.

Declaration of Neutrality Such divisions amongst us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of the proper performance of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one people holding itself ready to play a part of impartial mediation and speak the counsels of peace and accommodation, not as a partisan, but as a friend. I venture, therefore, my fellow countrymen, to speak a solemn word of warning to you against that deepest, most subtle, most essential breach of neutrality which may spring out of partisanship, out of passionately taking sides. The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action, must put a curb upon our sentiments, as well as upon every transaction that might be construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before another. Woodrow Wilson

Letter Home from the Trenches This assignment requires that you imagine yourself as a British soldier the day before a major battle. You live in a muddy, rat-infested, and dangerous front line trench, with only a few hours to spare before the big attack. You decide to write a letter to your parents back in England. Your letter should describe the living conditions of your trench, daily life, and food, how you spend your time between attacks, and your feelings about the upcoming attack. There exists a strong possibility that you will not survive and this may be your last letter to your parents. What would you like to tell them before the attack? Be sure to fully describe your life in the trenches, and your fears about the upcoming battle.