Causes of the Great War

1. Causes of the Great War

2. 1st World War in history • Great War or War to End all War • Not called WWI until after WWII • Total war • Involved 60 nations and 6 continents

3. Influences of Spanish-American War • US began to establish an international Empire • Becoming an Industrial Power • “Open Door Policy” • Liberal Internationalism • Economic and Political Progress went hand in hand • “make the world safe for democracy”

4. Alliances –agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another • European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves • PROBLEM: One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict Causes of WWI – MANIA! Nationalism –extreme pride in one’s country Imperialism –when one country takes over another country economically and politically. Militarism- policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war (ARMS RACE) Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand

5. Now Let’s Look at Some “isms”

6. CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I • Nationalism • Countries proud of their heritage and culture • Similar topatriotism • Ethnic groups of similar heritage wanted to free their oppressed brethren and unite their people into one country • Germany wanted to expand its culture and political influence throughout Europe.

7. Aggressive Nationalism

8. CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I • Imperialism • France, Great Britain, Germany and Russia were establishing colonies in Africa and Asia • economic and political control over other countries…… • these countries were in competition for colonies

9. Cartoon-European grab bag CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I European nations competing for colonies around the world…..Imperialism

10. Cartoon-European grab bag COLONIAL CLAIMS BY 1900

11. Cartoon-European grab bag COLONIAL CLAIMS BY 1900

12. CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I • Militarism • European nations began an arms race as they competed for colonies around the world……

14. Militarism & Arms Race Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, British and Russia] in millions of dollars. By 1906, President Roosevelt had built the US Navy into the 3rd largest naval fleet in the world….The Great White Fleet

15. CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I • Alliances • European nations began forming military alliances with one another to maintain a balance of power …….. • Triple Alliance Triple EntenteCentral PowersAllied Powers • Germany Great Britain Austria-Hungary Empire FranceBulgaria Russia

16. franz ASSASSINATION OF FRANZ FERDINAND Franz Ferdinand’s funeral procession Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family. Archduke was heir to the throne in the Austrian Hungarian Empire. His assassination June 28, 1914 eventually led to WWI. Garvillo Princip, a Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke. He was trying to gain allowances for his fellow Serbs who lived under Austrian rule.

17. alliances1 ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI • Austrian-Hungarian Empire controlled several ethic groups. • Serbian nationalists wanted to untie Serbs who lived in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire with Serbia. • This led to the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Sarajevo

18. alliances1 ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI • June 28Assassination at Sarajevo • July 28Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia • July 30Russia began mobilization 4. August 1Germany declared war on Russia

19. alliances2 ALLIANCES LEAD TO WWI • August 3Germany declared war on France 6. August 3Great Britain declared war on Germany • August 6Russia and Austria/Hungary at war. • August 12Great Britain declared war on Austria/Hungary

20. Two Armed Camps! Allied Powers Central Powers Great Britain Germany Austrian-Hungarian Empire France Russia Ottoman Empire Italy

22. world map

23. Three Phases which brought US Closer to War!! • Discrimination against American shipping to Central Powers. • British Blockade • Credits and Loans • $2 ½ billion to Allied Powers • Less than $300 million to Central Powers • Exports • $2.75 billion to Allied Powers • $29 million to Central Powers

24. US tries to stay Neutral • August 4, 1914 Wilson proclaims neutrality • “Impartial in thought as well as deed/action.”

25. Phase #2 Submarines • U-Boats • Advantages • Problems • Wolf packs

26. SUBMARINE WARFARE • The Germans could not match Great Britain's superior navy. • Germans introduced unrestricted submarine warfare with U-Boats • Germans warned the world they would sink any ship they believed was carrying contraband to Great Britain.

27. U-Boats • Two types • small subs with a crew of 24 • larger subs with a crew of 60 • 44 by 1918 • By 1918, Germans had sunk 6,500 allied ships.

28. Lusitania ad

29. war zone

30. SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA • May 7, 1915, the Germans sunk the Lusitania which was British passenger liner. • Germans believed it was carrying contraband (weapons) to the British. • Killed 1,198 civilians including 128 Americans. • U.S. and other countries outraged towards Germany because of “unrestricted submarine warfare”. • US believed the Germans had violated international law of targeting civilians

31. Lusitania

32. SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA • After the sinking of the Lusitania, public opinion of most Americans was to go to war with Germany. • Germany promised they would not sink anymore ships unless warning them first and providing safety for civilians. • BUT, President Wilson was able “keep us out of war” ….

33. Sinking of the Arabic Sept. 1, 1915 • British Liner- loss of 2 Americans • Arabic Pledge--Germany would not sink any unarmed liners

34. war zone X Sussex Sunk: led to Sussex Pledge in March 24, 1916. Germany promised not to sink anymore ships.

35. Sussex Pledge • Won’t sink any ships until Germany used adequate search & safety procedures • Turning point in Wilson’s diplomacy

37. 3rd Phase- Making World Safe forDemocracy • In 1916, Wilson re-elected • “He kept us out of War” • 277 vs. 254

38. All-Out Submarine Warfare • Kaiser Wilhelm- 1917

40. ZIMMERMAN NOTE Berlin, January 19, 1917 On the first of Februarywe intend to begin unrestricted submarine warfare. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.... You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war Zimmerman notes

41. Zimmerman code

42. Zimmerman code

43. zimmerman cartoon

44. WILSON'S WAR SPEECH When German submarines sank three American merchant ships in March 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.

45. Declaration of War • April 2, 1917 • Senators- 82 for 6 against • Representatives- 373 for 50 against

46. War of 1812 & World War I In the years prior to both the War of 1812 and World War I (A) France and England were at war with each other (B) the neutral rights of the U.S. were threatened (C) the U.S. went to France's assistance (D) American sailors were impressed by the British (E) a revolution toppled Mexico's president Answer: (B) the neutral rights of the U.S. were threatened Explanation: Prior to the War of 1812, British and French ships seized American ships and impressed American sailors. Before entering World War I, the U.S. found its neutrality challenged by the actions of both the Central Powers and the Allies.