WWI: The War Begins – Part 1 (Ch. 11, Sec. 1)

What were the MAIN causes of WWI?

• Militarism: nations built up their military strength (naval arms race) & mobilized for war

• Alliances: Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy) & Triple Entente (Britain, France, & Russia) divided world powers

• Imperialism: led to bitter competition for foreign colonies and world recognition

• Nationalism: (pride in one’s nation) fueled the desire of many nations to become independent

What immediate cause led to the beginning of WWI?

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the throne) was assassinated in Serbia while visiting

• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after their demands were not met

• Serbia had a secret treaty with Russia & amassed their troops along Austria-Hungary’s border

• Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia and Germany invaded Belgium (part of Schlieffen Plan)

• France & Britain then declared war on Germany & the alliance system dragged the rest of Europe into war

What changed the face of war during WWI?

• New military technology led to trench warfare and bloody stalemates (little gained by either side)

• Modern machine guns, hand grenades, tanks, airplanes, and heavy artillery played major roles in the ground fighting

• Air superiority (air craft) became an important factor in WWI leading to dogfights

• Submarine warfare and chemical weapons were used during WWI to gain psychological advantage

WWI: The War Begins – Part 2 (Ch. 11, Sec. 1)

1. War in Europe Affects US Citizens2. US Warned Germany About U-boat Attacks 3. US Declared War on Germany

How did the war in Europe affect American citizens?

• Most Americans chose to remain neutral & avoid a war 3,000 miles away

• Still wanting to avoid the war, America sent the Allies large quantities of military supplies

• Britain blockaded German coast, causing 750,000 civilians to starve to death

• Germany responded with unrestricted submarine warfare against Britain

What caused the US to threaten to end relations with Germany?

• Germany threatened to sink all ships, British or Allied, in or around British waters

• In 1915, German U-boats sank the Lusitania (128 Americans aboard), US was outraged

• US warned Germany about attacking any passenger ships, but took no action

• When Germany continued to attack passenger ships, US threatened to end diplomatic ties

What caused the US to finally declare war on Germany?

• On Jan. 31st, 1917, Germany announced it would resume its unrestricted submarine warfare

• British agents then intercepted the Zimmerman note (offered an alliance to Mexico)

• When German u-boats sank 4 unarmed US merchant ships, America braced for war

• After the collapse of the Russian monarchy (after 300 years) to a socialist government, America declared war