W.W.I. STARTS

EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD BEHIND THE START OF THE

WAR

REASONS WHY GERMANY WANTS WAR

There had not been a major war since 1870 in Europe (Franco-Prussian War)Germany wants to isolate France, long standing rivalGermany wants to prove it’s worthThey want to industrialize (have a huge navy like England)

REASONS WHY FRANCE WANTS WAR

Angry at Germany since they lost Alsalce Lorraine during Franco Prussian War

France is far behind in technology and want quick gains (industrialize)

Hatred toward Germany

REASONS WHY RUSSIA WANTS WAR

Russia is far behind in technology they need quick catch upRussia recently lost the Russo-Japanese War (huge embarrassment)Mad at Austria Hungary for annexing BosniaUpset with Germany for not renewing their non-aggression pactGermany is trying to ally with Ottoman Empire (Bosporus and Dardenelles Straits)Germany allies with Austria Hungary--large enough to threaten RussiaRussia wants to expand their empire for a warm water portAlly themselves with France to protect themselves from Germany

REASON WHY ENGLAND WANTS WAR

England was the model nation in Europe (strong navy lots of colonies)Germany wants big navy (threatens England) and leads to an arms raceLeads to development of things like dreadnoughtsThey ally with France to protect themselves from Germany

THE POWDERKEG BLOWS UP

Serbia was an ally of Russia

Austria Hungary controls it

Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Alliances pull all nations into war

4 REASONS HISTORIANS BELIEVE W.W.I. STARTED#1. Nationalism: Many different ethnic groups wanted to break away from their controlling nations (pride in their country)#2: Imperialism: There is only so much land around the world left to take and each nation wants more

CONT

#3 Militarism: Arms races develop between nations, they want to test their weapons#4 Alliances: The alliances we mentioned led to each nation indirectly getting involved in this conflict (2 sides that developed were Allies England France Russia and the Central Powers Germany Austria Hungary Ottoman Empire

U.S. IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE WAR

We were an ocean away and wanted to stay that wayBoth sides took advantage of American neutralityBritish ships block imports to Germany (people need food) our exports quadruple to EnglandGermany releases their U-Boats

SUBMARINE WARFARE

Germans begin to sink unarmed ships (unrestricted submarine warfare)Lusitania sunk in 1915, 128 Americans die1916 Sussex is sunkLeads to Sussex Pledge-- prohibits Germany from using unrestricted submarine warfareThis keeps us out the war for a little more time