World War I Key Facts Started in 1914 and ended in1918. It was also called “The Great War” and...

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World War I

Transcript of World War I Key Facts Started in 1914 and ended in1918. It was also called “The Great War” and...

Key Facts

• Started in 1914 and ended in1918.• It was also called “The Great War” and the

“War to End All Wars”• Woodrow Wilson was president (elected in

1912).• It started in Europe, but before it ended, many

nations in the world were involved.• There were two sides: Allied Powers and

Central Powers.

How was the US Involved?

• The Atlantic Ocean separated Europe’s problems from the US, so Americans were not concerned.

• President Wilson had peace talks with both sides to end the war.

• In 1915, German submarines sunk the Lusitania, killing 198 Americans.

• The US learned of a plan to make Mexico fight against the US and claim Texas as their own.

• Can you guess what happened next?

US Involvement, cont…

• The US declared war on March 31, 1917

Causes of the War

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was killed by a terrorist from Serbia on June 28, 1914.

• One month later, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. In little time, Germany joined the war with Austria- Hungary against Serbia.

• Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire became what’s called the Central Powers.

Causes, cont.

• In turn, Serbia sought help from Russia and France.

• Serbia, Russia, France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Montenegro, Japan, and the United States all became what’s called the Allied Powers.

Effects on the World

• First use of many deadly weapons like machine guns, flamethrowers, hand grenades, army tanks, and poison gas.

• 10 million soldiers were killed• Bolshevik Revolution in Russia caused growth in

communism.• All countries were in financial debt.

Effects on the World, Cont…

• Central Powers were defeated, their empires were destroyed, and new boundary lines were drawn. Germany lost most of its land and military.

• Women in Germany, Great Britain, and US were given the right to vote.

• In 1919, a treaty was signed to officially end the war. It was called the Treaty of Versailles.

• President Wilson attended to support his “Fourteen Points”. Out of the treaty came The League of Nations to prevent further outbreaks.

President Wilson

President Wilson and his wife

President Wilson

Effects on American Life

• 112,000 soldiers lost their lives, some due to the influenza epidemic in 1918.

• This was the first war when women could officially serve in the armed forces.

• Labor shortages provided numerous jobs for women like hauling ice, making weapons, and working on the railroad.

• The ratification of the19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920.

Conclusion

• President Wilson said it was “The war to end all wars.”

• Was that what happened?

• Some people believe that World War II started because of unresolved conflicts in World War I.

• What do you think?• Tune in for facts on World

War II at a later date.

Credits

• Pictures in slides 1,8,9,10, and 11 are courtesy of American Memory.

• Pictures in slides 3,4,5,6, and 7 are courtesy of Microsoft Office Design Gallery Live.

• Pictures in slides 2 and 4 are courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art.