1. Causes of the Great War

2. Great War or War to End all War Not called WWI until after WWII
1st World War in history
Great War or War to End all War
Not called WWI until after WWII
Total war
Involved 60 nations and 6 continents

3. Influences of Spanish-American War
US began to establish an international Empire
Becoming an Industrial Power
“Open Door Policy”
Liberal Internationalism
Economic and Political Progress went hand in hand
“make the world safe for democracy”

4. Causes of WWI – MANIA!
Militarism - policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war (ARMS RACE)
Alliances – agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another
European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves
PROBLEM: One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict
Nationalism – extreme pride in one’s country
Imperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically.
Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand

5. Now Let’s Look at Some “isms”

6. Countries proud of their heritage and culture
CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I
Nationalism
Countries proud of their heritage and culture
Similar to patriotism
Ethnic groups of similar heritage wanted to free their oppressed brethren and unite their people into one country
Germany wanted to expand its culture and political influence throughout Europe.

7. Aggressive Nationalism

8. economic and political control over other countries……
CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I
Imperialism
France, Great Britain, Germany and Russia were establishing colonies in Africa and Asia
economic and political control over other countries……
these countries were in competition for colonies

9. Cartoon-European grab bag
CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I
European nations competing for colonies around the world…..Imperialism
Cartoon-European grab bag

10. Cartoon-European grab bag
COLONIAL CLAIMS BY 1900
Cartoon-European grab bag

11. Cartoon-European grab bag
COLONIAL CLAIMS BY 1900
Cartoon-European grab bag

12. CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I
Militarism
European nations began an arms race as they competed for colonies around the world……

14. 1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures
Militarism & Arms Race
Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, British and Russia] in millions of dollars.
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1914 94
130
154
268
289
398
Increase in Defense Expenditures
France
10%
Britain
13%
Russia
39%
Germany
73%
By 1906, President Roosevelt had built the US Navy into the 3rd largest naval fleet in the world…. The Great White Fleet

15. CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I
Alliances
European nations began forming military alliances with one another to maintain a balance of power ……..
Triple Alliance Triple Entente Central Powers Allied Powers
Germany Great Britain Austria-Hungary Empire France Bulgaria Russia

16. ASSASSINATION OF FRANZ FERDINAND
Franz Ferdinand’s funeral procession
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family. Archduke was heir to the throne in the Austrian Hungarian Empire. His assassination June 28, 1914 eventually led to WWI.
Garvillo Princip, a Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke. He was trying to gain allowances for his fellow Serbs who lived under Austrian rule.
franz

17. ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI
Austrian-Hungarian Empire controlled several ethic groups.
Serbian nationalists wanted to untie Serbs who lived in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire with Serbia.
This led to the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Sarajevo
alliances1

18. ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI June 28 Assassination at Sarajevo
July 28 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
July 30 Russia began mobilization
August 1 Germany declared war on Russia
alliances1

19. ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI August 3 Germany declared war on France
August 3 Great Britain declared war on Germany
August 6 Russia and Austria/Hungary at war.
August 12 Great Britain declared war on Austria/Hungary
alliances2

20. Austrian-Hungarian Empire
Two Armed Camps!
Allied Powers
Central Powers
Great Britain
Germany
Austrian-Hungarian Empire
France
Russia
Ottoman Empire
Italy

22. world map

23. Three Phases which brought US Closer to War!!
Discrimination against American shipping to Central Powers.
British Blockade
Credits and Loans
$2 ½ billion to Allied Powers
Less than $300 million to Central Powers
Exports
$2.75 billion to Allied Powers
$29 million to Central Powers

24. US tries to stay Neutral
August 4, 1914 Wilson proclaims neutrality
“Impartial in thought as well as deed/action.”

25. Phase #2 Submarines
U-Boats
Advantages
Problems
Wolf packs

26. The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy.
SUBMARINE WARFARE
The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy.
Germans introduced unrestricted submarine warfare with U-Boats
Germans warned the world they would sink any ship they believed was carrying contraband to Great Britain.

27. U-Boats Two types small subs with a crew of 24
larger subs with a crew of 60
44 by 1918
By 1918, Germans had sunk 6,500 allied ships.

28. Lusitania ad

29. war zone

30. Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British.
SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA
May 7, 1915, the Germans sunk the Lusitania which was British passenger liner.
Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British.
Killed 1,198 civilians including 128 Americans.
U.S. and other countries outraged towards Germany because of “unrestricted submarine warfare”.
US believed the Germans had violated international law of targeting civilians

31. Lusitania

32. BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” ….
SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA
After the sinking of the Lusitania, public opinion of most Americans was to go to war with Germany.
Germany promised they would not sink anymore ships unless warning them first and providing safety for civilians.
BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” ….

33. Sinking of the Arabic Sept. 1, 1915
British Liner- loss of 2 Americans
Arabic Pledge--Germany would not sink any unarmed liners

34. X
Sussex Sunk: led to Sussex Pledge in March 24, Germany promised not to sink anymore ships.
war zone

35. Sussex Pledge
Won’t sink any ships until Germany used adequate search & safety procedures
Turning point in Wilson’s diplomacy

37. 3rd Phase- Making World Safe for Democracy
In 1916, Wilson re-elected
“He kept us out of War”
277 vs. 254

38. All-Out Submarine Warfare
Kaiser Wilhelm- 1917

40. ZIMMERMAN NOTE Berlin, January 19, 1917
On the first of February we intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America.
If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement....
You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war
Zimmerman notes

41. Zimmerman code

42. Zimmerman code

43. zimmerman cartoon

44. WILSON'S WAR SPEECH
When German submarines sank three American merchant ships in March 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.

45. Declaration of War April 2, 1917 Senators- 82 for 6 against
Representatives- 373 for 50 against

46. In the years prior to both the War of 1812 and World War I
War of 1812 & World War I
In the years prior to both the War of 1812 and World War I
(A) France and England were at war with each other
(B) the neutral rights of the U.S. were threatened
(C) the U.S. went to France's assistance
(D) American sailors were impressed by the British
(E) a revolution toppled Mexico's president
Answer:
(B) the neutral rights of the U.S. were threatened
Explanation: Prior to the War of 1812, British and French ships seized American ships and impressed American sailors. Before entering World War I, the U.S. found its neutrality challenged by the actions of both the Central Powers and the Allies.