The Road to War

1. The Road to War • The Big Idea • In 1914 tensions in Europe exploded into the deadliest war the world had ever seen. • Main Ideas • Many factors contributed to the outbreak of World War I. • European nations suffered massive casualties in the war’s early battles.

2. Main Idea 1: Many factors contributed to the outbreak of World War I. • Nationalism • Nationalism, a strong sense of pride and loyalty to one’s nation or culture, created tension between nations. • Austria-Hungary included people from many cultural groups. • Slavic nationalists wanted to break away from Austria-Hungary and join the independent Slavic country of Serbia. • Imperialism • Nations competed for control of territories both in Europe and overseas. • Germany took the Alsace-Lorraine region from France in 1871, and France wanted it back. • Militarism • Nations focused resources on militarism, the aggressive strengthening of armed forces. • Raced to build armies and navies • Made alliances to protect themselves

3. Feelings of fear and distrust grew among European powers in the early 1900s. In 1908 Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. Slavic nationalists resisted violently; wanted to be a part of Serbia June 28, 1914: Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo. Killed by a Serb nationalist, Gavrilo Princip Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia Nations began to mobilize, or prepare their militaries, for war. The Spark

4. Pulled into the Fighting Allied Powers • Russia, an ally of Serbia • France, an ally of Russia • Belgium, brought into the fighting because Germany marched through it to get to France • Great Britain, an ally of Belgium Central Powers • Austria-Hungary • Germany, an ally of Austria-Hungary

5. The French army blocked the German advance at the Marne River, east of Paris, in September 1914. The First Battle of Marne marked the first major battle of the war. French and German forces faced each other along a long battle line known as the western front. Russian and German armies struggled back and forth on the eastern front. The war became a stalemate–a situation in which neither side can win a decisive victory. Clear that this war would be longer than expected. Main Idea 2:European nations suffered massive casualties in the war’s early battles.

6. Trench warfare, defending a position by fighting from the protection of deep ditches, helped make the war long and deadly. Cold, wet, and muddy Disease ran rampant New technologies made land warfare even more deadly Machine guns Poison gases Tanks Technology of War Land • Airplanes used in large-scale battle for the first time • Fired down on soldiers in the trenches • Gathered information on enemy locations • Battled each other in the air in “dogfights” Air • Fighting in the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea • Used Naval blockades and mines to block supply lines • U-boats, German submarines, launched torpedoes against Allied supply ships. Sea

7. Americans Prepare for War • The Big Idea • After entering World War I in 1917, Americans began the massive effort of preparing for war. • Main Ideas • The United States entered the war after repeated crises with Germany. • The United States mobilized for war by training troops and stepping up production of supplies. • Labor shortages created new wartime opportunities for women and other Americans.

8. The United States was initially a neutral country. Americans viewed World War I as a European conflict. America continued to trade with European nations during the war. Carried supplies and war materials to the Allies. Germany used U-boats to try and stop supply lines. Often attacked ships without warning Sometimes shot civilian targets, such as the British passenger liner, Lusitania Main Idea 1:The United States entered the war after repeated crises with Germany.

9. Congress Declares War March 1916– a U-boat attacks a French passenger ship, the Sussex, with several American passengers on board. German leaders agree not to attack merchant ships without warning. February 1917– President Wilson breaks diplomatic relations with Germany after they again begin attacks on non-military ships. March 1917– Zimmermann Note is decoded revealing German and Mexican plot to ally against the United States. April 1917– Congress declared war on Germany.

10. Committee on Public Information formed by President Wilson to help persuade the public to support the war effort. Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 limited freedoms in the United States. Selective Service Act was enacted in 1917 to prepare the U.S. military for war. Required men between ages 21-30 to register for draft. Almost 3 million Americans were drafted into service in World War I. Liberty bonds were issued by the government to help finance Allied war efforts. War Industries Board and Food Administration worked to supply the troops with materials and food supplies. Main Idea 2: The United States mobilized for war by training troops and stepping up production of supplies.

11. Main Idea 3:Labor shortages created new wartime opportunities for women and other Americans. • Factors that led to a labor shortage in the United States during the war: • American factories needed new workers to meet huge production demands. • The war almost completely closed immigration, thus cutting-off the main source of labor to American industry. • Many of the young men who would normally take factory jobs were serving in the military.

12. Many American women took on new roles to help the war effort. 1 million women joined the workforce. About 25,000 women volunteered to serve in non-combat positions in Europe. Other women protested America’s participation in the war. Women’s War Efforts

13. Labor and the War • New job opportunities encouraged Mexican Americans and African Americans to move to northern industrial cities. • Union membership increased. • Workers in a better position to demand higher wages • More than 4 million unionized workers went on strike during the war. • National War Labor Board was established to help management and workers reach agreements. • Settled more than 1,000 labor disputes • Worked to prevent strikes

14. Americans in World War I • The Big Idea • American troops helped the Allies achieve victory in World War I. • Main Ideas • American soldiers started to arrive in Europe in 1917. • The Americans helped the Allies win the war. • Germany agreed to an armistice after suffering heavy losses.

15. Americans joined the fight in Europe in 1917 as a force separate from the other Allied units. U.S. troops were known as the American Expeditionary Force Led by General John J. Pershing Thoroughly trained for combat before reaching front lines Included regular army and National Guard troops, volunteers, and draftees Main Idea 1: American soldiers started to arrive in Europe in 1917.

16. Russia Leaves the War Revolution in Russia • November 1917: a group of Russians known as the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian government. • Bolsheviks were Communists– people who favor the equal distribution of wealth and the end of all forms of private property. New Government • Led by Vladimir Lenin • Knew the war had reached a desperate point • Around 8 million Russians had already been killed. • Soldiers were deserting. • Food riots raged in cities. • March 1918: Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers, taking itself out of World War I.

17. With Russia gone, Germany planned to smash the stalemate. American soldiers arrived on the front. Germans made an advance, but were unprepared for the fresh, well-trained American forces and were driven back. July 1918– German forces launch final offensive Attempted to cross the Marne River Terrible losses forced them to stop. American troops helped force a major turning point in the war. Main Idea 2:The Americans helped the Allies win the war.

18. Allies drove toward victory after the failed German advance. More than 1 million U.S. troops in France Began winning victories against German forces By November 1918, American soldiers were making rapid advance toward Germany. Main Idea 3:Germany agreed to an armistice after suffering heavy losses.

19. At home and on the battlefield, Germans were tired of war. Food shortages Riots and strikes Shortage of soldiers Germany Defeated • Germany’s allies were also eager to end the war. • Austria-Hungary reached a peace accord with the Allies on November 3, 1918. • Seeing his country was beaten, German leader Kaiser Wilhelm II fled. • Germany agreed to an armistice, or truce, on November 11, 1918.

20. Establishing Peace • The Big Idea • The United States and the victorious Allied Powers clashed over postwar plans. • Main Ideas • The costs of war included millions of human lives as well as financial burdens. • President Woodrow Wilson and European leaders met to work out a peace agreement. • The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles.

21. Casualties Allied: 5 million soldiers dead American: 116,000 soldiers dead; 200,000 soldiers wounded Central Powers: 3.5 million soldiers dead Russia and Germany had the highest death tolls. Financial Losses $30 billion in property destroyed Factories and farms throughout Europe in ruins Allies: $145 billion spent Central Powers: $63 billion spent European nations deeply in debt Main Idea 1:The costs of war included millions of human lives as well as financial burdens.

22. In 1918, a worldwide epidemic of influenza, or flu, broke out. Extremely contagious Deadly Spread by air No known cure Spread by American soldiers to civilians and then to Europe and beyond. 30 million people died from the virus worldwide. 800,000 Americans died Changed life in the United States In Chicago, the flu more than doubled the death rate. Quarantines were implemented in some states. Many cities banned public gatherings, including school classes. Influenza Epidemic

23. Main Idea 2: President Woodrow Wilson and European leaders met to work out a peace agreement. • President Woodrow Wilson developed plans for a postwar peace agreement. • Known as the Fourteen Points • Called for the creation of League of Nations, an international assembly of nations. • European leaders disagreed with Wilson’s vision. • Wanted to punish Germany for its role in the war • Wanted to prevent Germany from ever again becoming a world power

24. End secret alliances Encourage free shipping Remove barriers to trade Reduce armies and navies Resolve colonial claims Support the right of people to choose their own government Settle border disputes Establish the League of Nations Key Goals of the Fourteen Points

25. Paris Peace Conference American and European leaders met at the Paris Peace Conference, held at the palace of Versailles, near Paris No representatives from Russia or the Central Powers attended. • Allied leaders demanded that Germany • Accept complete blame for the war • Make reparations, or payments for war damages • Give up large parts of its territory Wilson reluctantly agreed to this peace agreement, the Treaty of Versailles.

26. The Treaty of Versailles • German reparations of $33 billion • Established the League of Nations • Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia became independent nations. • Poland was restored as a nation • Central Powers turned over their colonies to the League of Nations. • Central Powers nations broken up

27. U.S. Constitution states that treaties must be ratified by at least two-thirds of the Senate. Wilson presented the treaty to the Senate. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge wanted the winners to set the terms of the peace and demanded changes. Republicans were worried about the League of Nations’ power to use military force. On November 19, 1919, the Senate voted and the Treaty of Versailles was defeated. The United States signed separate peace treaties with Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Main Idea 3: The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles.