1. Outbreak of World War I
“The Great War”

2. Outbreak of World War I
England, France, Russia (Triple Entente or Allies)
vs.
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire (Central Powers or Axis)

3. Outbreak of World War I

4. Outbreak of World War I Major Causes:
Militarism – Building up your army
Alliance System – Making deals with other countries in case of war
Imperialism – Taking over other weaker countries
Nationalism – Extreme sense of patriotism and feeling that your country is the best

5. Outbreak of World War I
The heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated in July 1914 by a Serbian nationalist (terrorist)
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia starting WWI. Most European nations joined their allies in the fight

6. Outbreak of World War I
Although the U.S. was intervening around the world, President Wilson pledges to keep the U.S. out of war in 1914 and remain neutral
Many Americans were torn about the war and had to pick a side to support due to their heritage

7. Outbreak of World War I
American trade with Germany almost stops, but trade with our Allies quadruples!
Germany believes the U.S. has decided to work as an enemy
Is this still being neutral??

8. Outbreak of World War I How do we get Americans to support this war?
Propaganda: Pictured the war as the civilized and democratic nations against a barbaric monarchy of Germany

9. Outbreak of World War I
What finally brought the U.S. into World War I in 1917?
Germany’s use of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare:
Germany would sink Allied ships without first notifying the crew on board. This went against the code of war

10. Outbreak of World War I
RMS Lusitania carrying 128 Americans torpedoed and sunk

11. Outbreak of World War I

12. Outbreak of World War I 1917: Germany sinking ships carrying Americans
Germany issues the Zimmerman Note, asking Mexico to attack us
Russian Revolution begins knocking Russia out of WWI; looks like the U.S. would join a Democratic alliance
The U.S. joins the war on the Allied side