The Great War

MAIN Causes for War in Europe1. Militarism• Building up of armies

2. Alliance Systems3. Imperialism4. Nationalism• A devotion to the interest and culture of one's nation• Led to competitive and rivalries among nations

European System of Alliances

• Triple Entente (Allies)• France• Britain• Russia

• Triple Alliance (Central Powers)– Germany– Austria-Hungary– Italy

Spark to War

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njINCi9iIrA

Archduke Franz

FerdinandHeir to Austrian Throne

Austria

•Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia •Alliance system pulled one nation after another into war•Germany (obligated by alliance with A-H) declared war on Russia, France (allied with Russia) •Britain (allied with Russia and France) declared war on Germany

The Western Front

Remained Neutral

Where did the US stand?

Americans stay Neutral• 3,000 miles away was war Why should the US be

involved?• Public opinion was torn

Against US Involvement

• Cultural Ties with Germans and Austrians• Socialists • Others felt war was evil:• “I didn’t raise my boy to a soldier, I brought him up to be

my pride and joy. Who dares to place a musket on his soldier, To shoot some other mother’s darling boy?”

WAR

Support for War① Felt close ties with Britain (culture and laws)② Sympathy grew for Allies③ American newspapers – dubbed Germany “the bully

of Europe”④ Economic interests – trade with Europe declined

German U-Boat

•May 7, 1915 – U-boat sunk British liner Lusitania •1,198 lives lost 128 were Americans•Americans were outraged

http://www.history.com/videos/u-boats-sink-the-lusitania-in-1915#u-boats-sink-the-lusitania-in-1915

German Response

• Explained the liner carried ammunition• 1915 sank the Arabic – 2 Americans died• 1916 sank the Sussex – 80 Americans died• US warned it would break neutrality• Germany said tell Britain to end blockade• Wilson kept US out of war

America Prepares for War

• Shipped millions of dollars of war supplies to Allies • 1917 Americans mobilize for war on against Central Powers

Zimmerman Note• German letter to Mexico• Urged Mexico to go to war with US• US outraged

US Declares War!1. Zimmerman Note2. Germans declared submarine warfare3. Russia Revolution (communists take over Russian

government) 1917