The Road to the Great War WWI

Causes of the War  nationalism – feeling that a specific nation, language, or culture is superior to all others  imperialism – creating an empire by taking over other nations (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, U.S.)  militarism – aggressive military preparedness; ex. European nations built larger militaries than ever before

The Spark  Austria-Hungary heir, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, killed by Serbian radicals  Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia  Russia was allies with Serbia  Germany allies with Austria-Hungary  so…  Germany declares war on Russia  Central Powers – Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire (Turkey)  Allied Powers – Britain, France, Italy, & Russia

War in Europe  trench warfare – strategy of defending a position by fighting from the protection of deep ditches (i.e. bunkers)  technology – machine guns, poison gas (mustard, chlorine), tanks, airplanes, & submarines  U-boats or submarines (Germans)

America Enters the War  German U-boat sank the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, holding 128 Americans; Germans broke international law  The President, Woodrow Wilson, prolonged U.S. neutrality and wanted world peace  Zimmerman telegram – German foreign minister wrote a confiscated note to Mexico which proposed an alliance between the two against U.S.  outraged Americans  from isolationism to saving the day!

The Big 4 (leaders) were: Vittorio Orlando – Italy George Clemencea – France David Lloyd George – Great Britain Woodrow Wilson – U.S.