1. The United States in WWI
The Great War
The United States in WWI

2. Five (Four)Main Causes of World War I
M-A-N-I-A
Militarism
Alliance System
Nationalism
Imperialism
Assassination

3. Militarism Nations begin to build up their militaries
Usually in response to what other nations were doing
“Keeping up with the Jones’s”

4. Alliance System
Nations make agreements to protect each other in case they are attacked
Triple Alliance
Triple Entente
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Italy (will join Allies in 1915)
Great Britain
Russia
France
Unites States (will Join in 1917

5. Nationalism
Loyalty to your nation, belief that your nation is the best and strongest

6. Imperialism
Countries in Europe (Just like in the US) desire more land, wealth and colonies. Nations compete to see who can get the most colonies

7. Assassination Sparking Event (June 28, 1914)
The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sofia by a member of the Black Hand

8. The War Begins Central Powers Allied Powers Austria-Hungary Germany
Bulgaria
Ottoman Empire
Serbia
Russia
France
Great Britain
1915 – Italy
The United States is neutral for the first three years of the war and many Americans want to stay out of the war.

9. Why did the US enter the war
Submarine Warfare — Germans warn that all ships entering the waters around the British Isles are subjected to be sunk
German Unterseeboot (U-Boat)

10. Lusitania Lusitania (May 1915) passenger ship sunk by German U-boat
May have been carrying ammunition as well as passengers -- passengers warned not to travel on Lusitania
Wilson protests -- nothing happened

11. The Final Straw Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Jan. 1917)
Early January Germany decided to pursue “unrestricted submarine warfare”
Tell Wilson on January 31st, he cuts off diplomatic ties

12. The Final Straw Zimmerman Telegraph (March 1, 1917)
Coded message from Germany to Mexico.
Says if Mexico attacks US, Germany will help Mexico take back Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
British intercepted, decoded and sent to the US

13. The Final Straw Russian Revolution (March 15, 1917)
Czar Nicholas II of Russia is toppled from power and Russia is taken over by a republican government (no communists yet) Russia not a monarchy - - now it is a war between democracy & autocratic rule

14. America Enters the War Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war.
What impact did US soldiers have on the war?
America’s military resources of soldiers and war materials tipped the balance of the war and led to Germany’s defeat.

15. Following the War The Paris Peace Conference and the Fourteen Points
Fourteen Points are Wilson’s plan to eliminate the causes of war
Key ideas
Self-determination
Freedom of the sea
League of Nations
Mandate system
French and English insisted on punishment of Germany.

16. Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles
Germany accepted responsibility for starting the war
A League of Nations was created.
National boundaries were redrawn, creating many new nations.

17. US stance on the Treaty
The United States did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles
Did not like the League of Nations
Did not want to be involved in European Affairs