World War I – Beginnings

1. World War I – Beginnings Chapters 27.1 – 27.2

2. Causes of World War I • Nationalism • Many feared Germany’s growing power in Europe • Many ethnic groups resented domination by others and hoped for independence • Imperialism • As Germany industrialized, it competed with France and Britain for colonies • Militarism • By 1890, Germany had become the strongest nation in Europe • France, Italy, Japan and the U.S. quickly joined the naval arms race • If one country mobilized, others would mobilize in self-defense • Alliance System • Triple Entente, or Allies • Triple Alliance, or Central Powers • Germany tried to remain neutral with Russia – creating the Three Emperors’ League, and later the Reinsurance Treaty

3. An Assassination Leads to War • Conflict arose in the Balkan Peninsula – known as the Balkan “powder keg” • Serbia wanted Bosnia and Herzegovina to create a larger Slavic state • June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand is shot in Sarajevo, Bosnia • Austria-Hungary gave Serbia an ultimatum

5. Mobilization of Europe • July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia • Aug. 1: Germany declares war on Russia; Aug 3: Germany declares war on France • Belgium had promised to remain neutral in all European wars in 1839 – wouldn’t help any belligerents • Britain declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary after they invaded Belgium

6. The War Expands • August – Japan enters the war • Italy remained neutral for 10 months • May 1915 – Italy entered the war against Germany Austria-Hungary • Germany had persuaded the Ottoman Empire to fight alongside them

7. The Belligerents • Soldiers felt the war would be very quick • Central Powers: • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire • Allied Powers: • Great Britain, France, Russia

8. World War I - Alliances

9. The War Introduces New Hazards • Tanks and airplanes helped begin an era of mechanized warfare • The Germans used U-boats to control the seas • Machine guns and long-range artillery began to be used • The new weapons and tactics of World War I led to horrific injuries and dangers: • Surrounded by filth, lice, rats and polluted water • Suffered from lack of sleep • “Shell Shock” • “Trench Foot” • “Trench Mouth”

10. WWI - Injuries

11. Promoting War • Soldiers in WWI were mostly drafted civilians • “Total War” • Governments used propaganda to stir patriotism

12. The Early Years of the War • Aug 3, 1914 – Germany enacts the “Schlieffen Plan” • France and Britain defeated Germany in the Battle of the Marne • By spring of 1915, two parallel systems of trenches crossed France • Russia mobilized their troops on the Eastern Front • August 1914 – Battle of Tannenberg • Germany launched an offensive into Russian Poland

13. Continued Fighting • 1915 – Britain and France decide to take Constantinople • British and French troops bombarded the Turks on the Gallipoli Peninsula • After 8 months, the Allies abandoned Gallipoli

14. Naval Warfare • British blockaded the North Sea • Germany used its U-boats to set up its own blockade on Britain • Woodrow Wilson warned Germany • May 1916 – Battle of Jutland • The trench warfare created a war of attrition

15. The United States and WWI • America began to trade with the Allies more than the Central powers – ships were seized if they carried contraband • British propaganda about German atrocities angered Americans • The Zimmerman Note pushed America even closer towards war • 4 unarmed American merchant ships were sunk as the Germans declared Britain a “war zone” • March, 1917 – Russian monarchy replaced with a representative government • April 6, 1917 – American officially declares war on Germany