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