1. America &
World War I

2. MAIN Causes of WWI
Militarism – the aggressive build-up of a nations armed forces.
Alliances – nations formed partnerships to help protect and defend themselves.
Imperialism – stronger nations began to take over weaker nations.
Nationalism – everybody thought their nation was the best.

3. The First World War: What? When? 1st War spanning the globe 1914-1918
Colonies
Far flung
allies
When?

4. The First World War: Why? Long term - 1. Alliance system
2. Imperialist Competition
3. Stockpiling of Weapons
Assassination of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand of Austria and Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg
Short term - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by Serbian Nationalist
Gavrilo Princip

6. The First World War: Who? Central Powers: Allies: Neutral: Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Bulgaria
Russia
France
Great Britain
Canada
India
Australia
New Zealand
Belgium
Italy
Japan
United States (1917)
Neutral:
Netherlands Denmark
Norway
Sweden
Switzerland
Spain
Portugal

7. Family Feud Grandsons of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, 1st Cousins
Tsar Nicholas II
Emperor of Russia
Honorary Admiral in
British Royal Navy
King George V
King of Great Britain
Colonel-in-Chief,
Prussian Cavalry Regiment
Kaiser Wilhelm II
German Emperor,
King of Prussia
Knight of the Order of the Garter (UK)

8. Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the war?
America was isolationist
“Why should I get involved in someone else’s problems”
Bad experiences w/imperialism

9. Ask yourself:
Is isolationism really an option for a country as powerful as the United States?

10. Which side should the US pick?
Central Powers:
Allies:
11 million German-Americans
Irish-Americans hated Great Britain
Close cultural ties
Shared transatlantic cables (so censored stories)
Big business loaned mucho $ to allies
US Exports to both sides:

11. What did it take to get the US involved?
1. Blockades
Britain blockaded (stopped) all German ships going to America
Germany announced a submarine war around Britain
In May, 1915 Germany told Americans to stay off of British ships
They could/would sink them

12. What did it take to get the US involved?
1. Blockades
1915, SS Lusitania torpedoed, sinking with 1200 passengers and crew (including 128 Americans)
Was eventually found to be carrying 4200 cases of ammunition
The US sharply criticized Germany for their action
Germany agreed not to sink passenger ships without warning in the future
1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine warfare” in the war zone…Why?

13. What did it take to get the US involved?
3. Zimmerman Telegram
US intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico
It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an alliance

14. What did it take to get the US involved?
Zimmerman Note and the sinking of 4 unarmed American ships led to a declaration of war

15. Examine the issue:
Should we tell the story of WWI with Germany as the “bad guy”? Explain.

16. How was the war looking for the allies by 1917?
Not Good...
Russia left the war after its communist revolution in 1917
Made it a one front war for Germany - all its troops could concentrate on France

17. The Western Front

18. Trench Warfare

19. Convincing the American People
Posters - Gee!!
How do you think this poster helped to convince the American people that the war was a good idea?

20. Convincing the American People
Idealism: 2 Goals For War:
War to End All Wars
Making the World Safe for Democracy
What? President Wilson’s Plan for after the war
Fourteen promises, including freedom of the seas & a League of Nations to work for peace

21. What did the US do to help?
Supplies:
US provided the food, money, and fresh troops needed to win the war
Reinvigorated the war effort, broke out of the trenches
“Retreat? Hell, we just got here!”

22. How did the War Affect the US?
Enforcing Loyalty
Hatred of all things German
Ex. “Liberty Cabbage”
Lynching of German Americans
Espionage Act 1917 & Sedition Act of 1918 punished those against the war (many labor leaders)
Something to think about?
Did this help contribute to Japanese Internment in WWII?
What about the “Muslim Ban” today?