1. World War I: The Great War EQ: How did the US entry into World War I change the nation?

3. The 4 M.A.I.N. Causes of WW1

4. Causes of World War I Militarism Expanding a nation’s military
Militarists believe that the military
should have political power
Is necessary to build and protect an empire

5. Causes of World War I Alliances
European countries developed alliances to protect each other in dangerous or threatening situations
Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
Triple Entente
Great Britain, France, Russia

6. Causes of World War I Imperialism
Territorial expansions in Africa and Asia
Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Russia
Germany felt left behind in the “competition for colonies”

7. Causes of World War I Nationalism Loyalty and devotion to your country
Increasing efforts for ethnic groups to govern themselves
Italy, Germany, and the Balkans

8. Trouble in the Balkans The Powder Keg of Europe
The Balkans were a cluster of nations in eastern Europe, between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires.
Their location between multiple waterways made them strategically important, so European powers were focused on events there.

9. Trouble in the Balkans The Powder Keg of Europe
Two wars in 1912 and 1913 in the Balkans led to ethnic and nationalist tensions.
Serbian nationalist groups like the “Black Hand” emerged with the goal of freeing Serbia of Austria-Hungarian influence

10. Assassination
Heir to the Austrian throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand sent to Sarajevo for a public appearance
The Archduke and his wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip

12. 4.9 feet

13. Franz Ferdinand's uniform

14. Princip, seated in the center of the first row, on trial
Princip, seated in the center of the first row, on trial. He was nineteen years old at the time and too young to receive the death penalty. There was a twenty-year minimum age limit required by law. Instead, he received the maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.
His cell at Terezin. He was held in harsh conditions which were worsened by the war, and contracted tuberculosis. He died in April 1918.

16. Mobilization of Europe
WW1 Oversimplified

17. Mobilization of Europe
Austria gave Serbia an ultimatum: Serbian officials must hand the assassin over to the Austrian government for the trial
This ultimatum kicked off the system of alliances
Germany supported Austria’s ultimatum
Russia promised protection to Serbia

18. Mobilization of Europe
Russians mobilized their military first to support Serbia
Marched soldiers to the Austrian/Russian border
Hoped to scare the Austrians and Germans into backing down
Germany attacked first, in response to the mobilization and threats
Invaded Belgium to gain quick access to France
Hoped defeat France quickly, and end the war quickly

19. Stalemate Western front became stalemate due to trench warfare
Thousands of deaths, little gain for either side
War of Attrition

20. Innovations in Warfare
Mass-produced weapons
Submarines (U-boats)
Poison gas
Tanks
Airplanes
Machine guns
Led to high death tolls

21. The U.S. at the Start of WW1 The Monroe Doctrine:
Told European nations to stay out of the Western hemisphere
Also said the U.S. would stay out of European events
“You mind your business, we will mind our business”

22. Support for Neutrality
The war was a European fight for imperialism
United States should set an example of peace
Immigrants from central and eastern Europe hoped the Central Powers would win

23. Support for Joining the War
Americans felt close historical ties to Great Britain
British propaganda leaked into the US
United States’ economic success depended on trade with Great Britain

24. British propaganda turned public opinion in support of the war

25. The U.S. at the Start of WW1
The U.S. adopted a policy of isolationism or neutrality
Did not pick either side and decided to stay out of the war

26. The War Affects the U.S. Economy
U.S economy was in a recession when WW1 broke out
Both sides relied on the U.S. for goods, food, and loans
US factories manufactured and shipped war supplies to Europe
US banks loaned money
$2.2 billion to Allied countries
Only $27 million to Germany

27. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany’s policy of using U-boats to sink any and all ships in the waters surrounding Great Britain
Sunk an average of two British ships each day in 1915

28. Sinking of the Lusitania
1915: German U-Boats sunk the Lusitania
Part of their policy of unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Secretly carrying war supplies to Great Britain
Killed 1,200, including 128 Americans
American public outraged

31. Zimmerman Telegram
German minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a telegram to the Mexican government asking Mexico to join Germany in a war against the U.S.
In return, Germany would help Mexico reclaim land lost before and after the Mexican-American War
President Woodrow Wilson realized war was inevitable and asked Congress for a declaration of war

32. Two Sides
Allied POwers
Central Powers
United States
Britain
Russia
France
Austria-Hungary
Germany
The Ottoman Empire
Go back to the chart at the beginning of your notes and add the U.S. to the Allied Powers

33. The United States Mobilizes
The Selective Service Act
Passed by Congress in 1917
Required all men to register with the government
Created a database used to randomly select men for military service
About 10% of those registered were drafted
Only 2/3 of those drafted (about 2 million) sent to Europe

34. The United States Mobilizes
Segregation in the military
400,000 African American men enlisted
More than half experienced combat
369th Infantry saw more conflict than any other African American regiment
2 men earned the “Croix de Guerre” (France’s Medal of Honor)

35. The United States Mobilizes
Women were not allowed to fight on the front lines
Many women participated in non-combat roles
Secretaries
Nurses
Telephone operators