World War I
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Transcript of World War I
WORLD WAR IChapter 11
M.A.I.N. Causes of the War
Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism
Militarism
Use of military as a tool of diplomacy Nations wanted to have the strongest
military Germany was the strongest nation
militarily at the time
Alliances Countries dedication to one another if
attacked Many countries had alliances to other
countries which leads to an escalation of World War I
Imperialism European nations had been building
empires for many centuries. Countries began to compete with one
another for influence over weaker countries.
Colonies were used for raw materials and provided a market for manufactured goods.
Nationalism A belief in a country’s superiority,
economically, militarily and culturally Also a devotion to the interests of one’s
own country Often led to a competitive relationship
among countries in Europe Many feared Germany’s growing power
and influence
Beginning of the War M.A.I.N. Assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand (heir to the Austrian thrown) by the “black hand” (Serbian nationalists)
German desire to have a railroad line to the Ottoman Empire
Ethnic tensions between Bosnia and Serbia
Beginning of the War Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Due to alliance system…Germany
declared war on Russia and then France (an ally of Russia)
Germany invaded Belgium Great Britain declared war against
Germany and Austria-Hungary…War has begun…
Triple Entente
Consisted of France, Great Britain and Russia
Also known as the allied powers
Triple Alliance
Consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
Also known as the Central Powers.
Schlieffen Plan
German plan to invade and conquer France in six weeks
Avoid a two front war with France and Russia at the same time
Unsuccessful…trench warfare begins
Trench Warfare
“No Man’s Land” – land between the trenches
Continued for over three years…. Many casualties…
Battle of the Somme – 60,000 casualties on the first day alone.
New Weapons of War
Gas Machine guns Tanks Airplanes
U.S. Involvement Many Americans are divided on whether
the U.S. should be involved or not○ Many were loyal to Great Britain○ Some were loyal to Germany where they had
emigrated from○ Many wanted to remain isolationists and spare
their sons and husbands’ lives○ America had established trade with many
nations throughout Europe. That trade increased considerably with the war.
U.S. Involvement contd. How does the U.S. officially enter the war?
Sinking of the Lusitania (128 Americans killed)○ In response to the British blockade, German U-
boats created a blockade around Great Britain and fired on and sank any ship that came close to Britain.
Zimmerman Note○ Telegram from German ambassador in Mexico
intercepted by the British○ Germany promised to support Mexico if a war
broke out between the U.S. and Mexico in getting back Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
U.S. enters the war… President Wilson delivers his war
resolution in April of 1917. The U.S. is officially at war…but are we
prepared? No.Only 200,000 troopsNo combat experienceSolutions:
○ Draft○ Mass Production
Selective Service Act
All men required to register with the govt. for possible drafting into the war
3 million were drafted and 2 million saw combat in Europe
Mass Production The U.S. needed to find a way to build
ships and military supplies quickly in order to counteract the German blockade and destruction of U.S. shipsShipyard workers were exempted from the
draftPre-fabrication techniques were used to
manufacture ships
U.S. impact
We introduce the “convoy system” After over two years of fighting
European troops were exhausted and had low morale, new U.S. troops revitalized the allies
Russian Revolution In 1917, Russia pulls out of the war due
to a revolution within their own country Bolsheviks vs. the Mensheviks This allows Germany to focus on the
Western Front, but due to large casualties, the splitting of their forces and the American surge, Germany was not going to be able to win the war.
The End is Near November 1918, Austria-Hungary
surrenders Six days later, Germany surrenders. Total casualties/costs:
22 million total deaths (half of those civilian)20 million injuredU.S. lost approximately 100,000 and
200,000 were wounded