2. Outbreak of WWI

3. M.A.I.N. Causes of World War I Causes of WWI Imperialism Nationalism Militarism Alliances

4. Imperialism Policy in which stronger nations extend their control over weaker nations –Many European nations were competing for land in Asia and Africa –Germany had fewer colonies than Britain and France and felt it deserved more

5. Nationalism Strong feeling of pride, loyalty, and protectiveness towards one’s own country Many felt that country borders should be drawn according peoples’ nationalities instead of expanding empires

6. Militarism Policy of making military power a primary goal –Led to competition for military power and strength –Increase in military spending

7. Alliances An alliance is a formal agreement between nations to defend each other if either nation is attacked Many countries in Europe had formed alliances

8. Setting the Stage World War I began as a result of competition over… 1.Imperial territories (Imperialism) 2.The build up of powerful militaries (Militarism)

9. European nations formed alliances for protection Two major military alliances threatened to draw European countries into war 1. Triple Entente – England, France, and Russia 2. Triple Alliance - Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Germany

11. Rivalries due to militarism and imperialism increased nationalism among European powers British propaganda poster, 1897Austrian national poster, 1900

13. The Balkans Nationalism was strong in the Balkans where many Slavic people lived (also called Slavs) Slavs share similar languages, culture, and historical backgrounds Serbia hoped to unite with the Slavic region of Bosnia which was under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

15. Assassination of Franz Ferdinand A secret Serbian terrorist group called The Black Hand plotted to assassinate the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne June 28, 1914 - Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip This triggered the start of WWI

16. Alliances create a WORLD war Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Russia comes to aid of Serbia Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France and prepares to invade Belgium Great Britain declares war on Germany Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia France and Great Britain declare war on Austria- Hungary

17. Taking Sides After the outbreak of WWI, two major alliances were formed: 1. Central Powers – Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and the Ottoman Empire 2. Allied Powers – Belgium, France, Great Britain, Russia, Serbia and later Italy

19. United States Neutrality By 1914, the U.S. was a world power with overseas territories and influence in Latin America and Asia However, Americans wanted to remain neutral and avoid involvement in Europe’s “Great War” –Isolationist foreign policy

20. “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 sympathy with regard to the circumstances of the conflict… Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality…The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls.” —Woodrow Wilson, 1914

21. The Lusitania Germany decided to attack all foreign shipping to limit supplies reaching Britain –Employed unrestricted submarine warfare and attacked passenger ships The SS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat for allegedly carrying military supplies About 1200 people died in the attack including 128 Americans

22. Zimmerman Telegram Germany tried to distract the United States from the war in Europe –They hoped to win the war before the U.S. joined German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman sent a SECRET telegram urging Mexico to invade the U.S. –In exchange, Germany would help Mexico gain back Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona After the British intercepted and decoded the message, Americans were outraged

24. Joining the War The USA remained neutral from 1914 to 1917, but Germany continued to sink U.S. ships April 2, 1917 - Congress declared war on the Central Powers President Woodrow Wilson famously promised to “make the world safe for democracy”