Unit 9: World War I
OHS History Team
Learning Objectives
• Explain the causes of World War I
• Explain the reasons for the initial declaration of U.S. neutrality
• Explain the reasons for American entry into World War I
• Identify and explain the impact of World War I
Big Concepts• European nations imperialist ambitions fueled military build ups and a rise
in nationalism (devotion to country)
• The assassination of the future leader of a Austria Hungary (a large European empire) sparked war in Europe.
• Many European had protective alliances with each which dragged most of Europe into a large scale war.
• New technologies forced the war to be fought in protective trenches
• Under Woodrow Wilson the United States stays out of the conflict.
• German aggression and America’s strong economic ties to Britain and France eventually force the United States into the war in 1917.
• By 1918 the allies with the assistance of the United States win the war
Key Vocabulary
• Yellow = Must Copy
• Green = Copy if timer permits
MAIN causes of World War I
• Militarism = European nations built large armies to protect themselves.
• Alliances = European nations signed defensive alliances with one another in case of attack
• Imperialism = European built vast empires to fuel their economies
• Nationalism = European citizens begin to identify and support strongly with their nations and ethnic identities. (BALKANS)
Unstable Balkans
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
• Ferdinand was the future leader of a large empire – Austria-Hungary
• Killed by Gavrilo Princip who wanted the empire to free his people
• Austria-Hungary declares war on neighbor Serbia, who assisted the assassins.
• This triggered a World War
• June 1914
New Weapons and Technology
• World War I is first “industrialized” war
• New weapons used
• MACHINE GUNS
• TANKS
• AIRPLANES
• POISON GAS
• LONG RANGE ARTILLERY
Trench Warfare
• New weapons force soldiers to dig trenches
• WW1 becomes a trench war
• Both sides launched attacks to break others defenses
• Millions killed
American Neutrality
• President Wilson kept USA out of war
• Reasons?
• 1. USA Melting pot many Americans had family / connections to countries fighting
• 2. The war is very destructive
• 3. America wishes to sell supplies to both sides
Reasons USA joins war
• German Submarines
• Wilson’s desire to defend European democracies (MORAL DIPLOMACY)
• The Zimmerman Telegram
• USA trades far more with Britain and France than with Germany
German U-Boats
• New German Weapon
• Submarine
• Sinks ships bringing people and supplies to England and France
• “UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE”
Zimmerman Telegram
• German message to Mexico
• Hoping for an alliance in case USA declares war
• Britain intercepts message and gives to United States
April 6, 1917
• Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany
• Three years after war started
John J. Pershing
• Leader of American military forces sent to Europe
• American Expeditionary Force
• “Dough Boys”
• 2 million American soldiers
• Fight on the WESTERN FRONT
• TURN TIDE OF THE WAR AGAINST GERMANY
Harlem Hell Fighters
• Most decorated American fighting unit
• All African American fighting force from New York City
Alvin York
• Tennessean
• Most decorated American war hero
• Killed 25 German soldiers and captured 132
Herbert Hoover
• Future president
• Ran the American Relief Administration
• Provided food and supplies to destroyed European nations
Timeline Chronology
1914 – Franz Ferdinand killedWorld War I starts
1914 – President Wilson declares American neutrality
1917 – Russian Revolution leaves WW1
1915 – Lusitania Sunk by German U-Boat
1917 – Zimmerman Telegram
1917 – USA Declares war on Germany
1918 – American troops arrive in Europe
Continuity And Change
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