Imperialism and World War I

1. Imperialism and World War I

2. Imperialism “The policy of extending a nation’s authority over other countries by economic, political, or military means.”

3. Europeans • Wanted: • Economic markets, raw materials, investments, coaling stations. • British controlled ¼ of world’s people and land • “Sun never sets on British Empire”

5. American Imperialism • Navy captain Alfred T. Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History • Goals for the U.S. in becoming a world power: • Modern Fleet • Caribbean base • Hawaiian base • Middle America canal

6. Alaska • Known as Seward’s Ice Box (Secretary of State) • U.S. bought Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million (two cents an acre) • Rich producer of timber and oil

7. Hawaii • Stopping point since 1790s (on the way to China) • 1800s sugar plantations • Foreigners/immigrants outnumbered Hawaiians 3 to 1 • 1875 • Sugar was tax free if imported/exported from Hawaii to the U.S. • America allowed to construct naval base at Pearl Harbor – would serve as a refueling station for American ships

8. Hawaii • Queen Liliuokalani takes power after her brother’s death • Remove property requirement to vote. • Restore power to Hawaiians

9. Hawaii • Queen overthrown and Sanford B. Dole named president

10. Hawaii • President Cleveland • Ordered power to be restored to the Queen; Dole refused • Recognized Republic of Hawaii • Not admit as state unless a majority of Hawaiians agree • 1898 • McKinley accepted Hawaii as American territory • 1959 - Hawaii became a state

11. William Taft • Dollar diplomacy • U.S. intervention to protect American investment overseas • American bankers loaned Nicaragua money. In return bankers got control of Nicaraguan banks and railroad • Nicaraguans revolt, so Taft sends Marines to put down rebellion

12. Woodrow Wilson • Missionary diplomacy • No longer recognize oppressive or undemocratic governments • “moral obligation” • Watchful waiting • America will not do anything until provoked

13. Woodrow Wilson • Mexico • Government was corrupt • Leaders being killed and replaced • America must wait for something to threaten them before getting involved • 18 Americans arrested in Mexico • Wilson sends troops but leaves soon because the government in Mexico collapsed

14. Woodrow Wilson • Mexican revolutionary Poncho Villa kills American engineers and also invades New Mexico, killing Americans • John Pershing (and 15,000 troops) sent to find Villa • As war in Europe loomed, Wilson withdrew troops

15. World War I Begins:Underlying Causes 1.) Nationalism: • Strong sense of pride in one’s nation” • Led nations to put own interests before other nations. 2.) Imperialism: • “Nations competing for colonies” • Years of fighting between European countries caused bad feelings.

16. Underlying Causes 3.) Militarism: • “To be great country need strong army.” • Rivalries made nations try and keep armies stronger than others. 4.) Alliances: • “Formation of military agreements between nations.” • Allowed small dispute to draw all nations into war.

17. Underlying Causes

18. WWI Begins • Balkans • “the powder keg of Europe” • Bosnia annexed by Austria-Hungary; 1908 • Serbia wants Bosnia

19. WWI Begins • Franz Ferdinand • Heir to Austrian throne • Assassinated in Bosnia. June 28, 1914 • Gavrilo Princip • Member of Black Hand Society • Assassinated Franz Ferdinand

21. WW I Begins • Schlieffen Plan • Germany attack France quickly, then attack Russia.

22. WW I Begins • Marne River • French retreat to Marne River and stop German advance. • Trench Warfare Begins • Fighting from ditches because of accurate guns. • Began bloody stalemate. • No Man’s Land • Land between trenches.

41. WW I Begins • Red Baron • #1 German Ace Pilot (BaronManfred von Richthofen)

42. American Neutrality • Isolationists • What happens in Europe does not concern Am. • Socialists • Imperialist struggle between German and English businessmen. • Pacifists • War is evil and Am. should set example of peace.

43. 1916 Election • Woodrow Wilson (Dem.) • “He Kept Us Out of War.” • Charles E. Hughes (Rep.) • Uphold Americas right to freedom of the of the seas.

44. Lusitania • Lusitania (1915): British liner sunk by Germany • 128 Americans killed • Germany claimed it was carrying ammunition • U-Boat = submarine • Wilson wanted “peace without victory” – no harsh terms on one another

45. Zimmerman Note • Telegram between Germany and Mexico (intercepted by the British) • Said Germany would help Mexico get back lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona if war broke out with U.S. • Followed by sinking 4 unarmed American ships-36 killed • Russian monarchy overthrown – war between democracies and monarchies • April 6, 1917 – U.S. declares war (make the world “safe for democracy”)

46. U.S. Gets Ready • Selective Service Act 1917 • Draft • Men fighting were 21 to 23. • Men (Doughboys) • Trained 9 months. • Sent to where fighting worst.

47. U.S. Gets Ready • Women • Not drafted. • Navy accepted for non-combat positions.

48. U.S. Gets Ready • Blacks • Segregated units. • John J. Pershing • Head of American Expeditionary Force • Nicknamed “Black Jack”

49. U.S. Gets Ready • Alvin York (conscientious objector) • Opposed war on moral grounds. • Bible, “Thou shalt not kill.” • Bible, “I bring you not peace but a sword. . . . He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” • Killed 25 Germans and captured 132.

50. U.S. Gets Ready • Breaking Blockades • Convoy System • Merchant ships travel surrounded by warships. • Mines • 230 miles of mines put out across North Sea. • Goal was to keep U-Boats out of Atlantic Ocean.