WORLD WAR I

VIDEO CLIP

This video clip shows some of the reasons why World War I occurred.

While watching the video, write down the reasons why World War I began.

Beginnings of World War I

4 WORDS THAT LEAD TO WAR

1) Nationalism – the belief that the interests of one country are more important that cooperation among countries. Each nation in Europe thought they were supreme to the others.

2) Imperialism – European countries were trying to increase their power and influence in the world by taking land, which led to conflict.

3) Militarism – building up armed forces 4) Alliance system – several countries in Europe

made treaties promising to protect and defend each other.

CHOOSING SIDES

Triple Entente – France, Great Britain, and Russia

Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire

THE SPARK OF WAR

In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. He had been the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary

His killer was from Serbia, so Austria-Hungary wanted to strike back.

Because of the alliance system most of Europe was pulled into war.

AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT

Using the handout and the link on my website, let’s look at why the United States got involved in World War I.

AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT

America declared neutrality – declaring no side

However, America supported the Allies by providing aid and money.

This angered Germany and they sunk the British ship Lusitania, killing more than 1000 people, including 128 Americans.

Germany then announced that it would sink all ships in British waters, regardless of where they were from

THE UNITED STATES DECLARES WAR

Americans were already upset over the sinking of British ships

In 1917 British agents intercepted the Zimmerman Note – a telegram that proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States.

On April 6, 1917 Congress declared war on Germany.

AMERICANS IN EUROPE

Shortly after declaring war Congress passed the Selective Service Act – required men age 21-30 to register for a draft. This law is still in effect today, but the ages are 18-25

African-Americans who signed up for the military were segregated

When American troops arrived the Allies (Triple Entente and others) were struggling and needed help.

Under the leadership of General John J. Pershing the American soldiers endured trench warfare

ALLIED SETBACKS

In November 1917 a group of Russians called the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin took control of Russia’s government and instituted a communist government. The Bolsheviks signed a peace agreement with the Central Powers (Triple Alliance) leaving Germany free to focus only on the French.

By 1918 the Germans were within 70 miles of taking Paris

THE WAR ENDS

Thanks in part to the addition of American troops, the momentum of the war went to the Allies

At the Second Battle of the Marne the German army suffered 150,000 casualties

German soldiers began to leave the army and citizens became angry at the lack of food and the collapse of the German economy

On November 11, 1918 an armistice was signed that officially ended fighting. The Treaty of Versailles was signed eight months later which outlined the punishment for Germany Germany had to give up all territory it had occupied Surrender aircraft, artillery, tanks, and U-boats Germany had to allow Allied troops into its territory