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The War To End All Wars:. World War I. Europe Picks Sides. 1871: Prussia unites Germany into one state Took some land from France Triple Alliance : Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Triple Entente : France, Britain, and Russia Militarism : build-up to intimidate/threaten
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The War To End All Wars: World War I
Europe Picks Sides • 1871: Prussia unites Germany into one state • Took some land from France • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy • Triple Entente: France, Britain, and Russia • Militarism: build-up to intimidate/threaten • 1900: Germany is Europe’s strongest nation
“Till the world comes to an end, the ultimate decision will rest with the sword”
Europe Breaks Down: Summer of 1914 • Nationalism vs. Imperialism • Serbians rise against Ottoman Empire for independence, Russia helps • Austrians don’t want their Slavs getting ideas from Serbians, block Serbian action • June 28, 1914: Bosnian terrorist group, The Black Hand, assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand (future Austrian king) • Serbia rejects Austria-Hungary’s peace offer, due to ridiculous terms/demands • With Germany’s “full support” Austria-Hungary attacks Serbia on July 28
Conflict Grows • Russia had prepared for war with Austria-Hungary and Germany, so it mobilizes for war with both, Germany declares war • Germany’s Schlieffen Plan calls for war with Russia, and France—first hold Russians, then invade France, with control of France, then get Russia—August 3 • Aug 4: Britain declares war on Germany bringing all the great European pwrs to war
The Great War • Italy turns back on Germany, joins with France, Britain, and Russia; forms Allied Pwrs • Germany & Aust.-Hun. join with Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria; form Central Powers • Fighting in France (Western Front) does not move, trench warfare • The United States remains neutral • Debate about war preparations begin
America picks sides • Most Americans favor British side of war • British use propaganda to build favor • U.S. companies/banks support Allies • British blockade Germany ports • German U-boats sink merchant ships bound for Britain, including American ships • May 7, 1915: Germany sinks the Lusitania • Over 1,000 deaths, 128 Americans dead • Germany promises to stop torpedoing ships
America at War • January 1917: German Arthur Zimmermann sends telegram to Mexico, promising all lost territory if it attacked U.S.A. • British intercept the telegram, tell Americans • February 1917: German U-boats start sinking ships again (including 6 American ships) • April 1917: Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany