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Unit 4: Warfare. World War I: 1914-1918. Four MAIN Long-Term Causes. M ilitarism A lliances I mperialism N ationalism. Cause 1: Nationalism.
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Unit 4: Warfare World War I: 1914-1918
Four MAIN Long-Term Causes • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism
Cause 1: Nationalism • Definition: The belief that national interests and unity should be placed ahead of global cooperation, and foreign affairs should be guided by self-interest • Led to competitiveness and rivalries among nations • Germany (strongest in Europe) wants expansion and new markets • Ethnic and cultural concerns • Russia views itself as the protector of Slavic People • Serbs under Austria-Hungary rule • Balkans as the “Powder Keg”
Cause 2: Imperialism • Definition: The policy of forcefully extending a nation’s authority by territorial gain or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations • Because of nationalism, competition grows to expand empire • Nation’s want new territories • Raw materials • New markets for goods • All nations want to be the best – contest for colonies
Cause 3: Militarism • Definition: The development of armed forces by a country to impose its will • Military spending increases with growing empires • Defend territories • Want best army/navy • At the time, Germany is strongest nation on European continent • Want to compete with British Navy • Arms Race begins, nations got to keep up with everybody
Cause 4: Alliances • Definition: A formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim • Because of 1st three causes, Nations signed treaties, promising assistance in case of attack • Thought to prevent war – nobody would want to disturb alliances • Eventually has counter effect • Pulls nations into war
WWI Alliance Systems • Triple Entente (Allies) – Great Britain, Russia, France • Italy switched here later after war, US joined later • Triple Alliance (Central Powers) – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (switches to Allies), • Ottoman Empire join here later
The Spark • Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to Austrian throne) • Killed by Gavrilo Princip • Serbian nationalist • 1914 – Austria declares war on Serbia • Entangling Alliances • Russia defends Serbia, Germany declares war on Russia and France, Great Britain declares war on Germany and Austria • Great War begins…
US Stance on WWI • US declares Neutrality • Definition: the policy of a nation not participating in a war between other nations • Outcome doesn’t matter – European War • Fight between Britain and Germany over control of region
US Enters WWI • 5 Main Reasons: • US imports to the Allies • German U-boats and the sinking of the Lusitania • The Sussex Pledge • Zimmermann Note • Russia
US Imports to the Allies • US was supplying both sides of the war with weapons; due to the blockade Britain obtain most of our supplies and racked up a debt to the US. • Us decided to join the Allies side so that they can pay off their debt to the United States
German U-Boats and the Sinking of the Lusitania • May 7 1915 • British ocean liner • German U boat (submarine) shot a torpedo and sunk the Lusitania • On board 1959 • Only 159 where Americans • 128 die • 14 miles of southern Ireland • Wilson tells that the Germans they are not happy about it and to stop killing Americans.
The Sussex Pledge • Germany was sinking different nation’s submarines • Americans on these boats, 80 passengers died or injured • Germany agreed to not sink any more passenger ships, but broke promise • Germany would only stop deadly tactics if US would persuade Britain to lift its blockade against food and fertilizers • If US couldn’t, Germany would consider renewing deadly submarine warfare • If Germany sunk another, we would enter war
Zimmermann Note • Germans sent Mexico a cipher telegram that told them to attack the United States on February 1st • If they did so they would gain the lands they lost in the Mexican Cession • Britain intercepted the letter and sent it to the United States • This was a direct threat to the United States
Russia • The Russian monarchy was replaced with a representative government • Now supports could claim that this was a war of democracies against the brutal monarchies