1 / 10

What were the causes of World War I and How did the United States Join the War?

This article explores the long-term causes of World War I, including nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and alliances, as well as the immediate triggers such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It also delves into American public opinion towards the war and the events that led to the United States joining the war.

williamkdavis
Download Presentation

What were the causes of World War I and How did the United States Join the War?

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. What were the causes of World War I and How did the United States Join the War? United States History & Government 11th Grade Boys/Girls 20 February 2018

  2. Long Term Causes • Nationalism • Competitive and antagonistic rivalry between European Nations • Envy to German Power • Desire for self determination by various ethnic groups within various empires • Imperialism • Colonization by European and other imperial powers • Colonial Rivalry

  3. Long Term Causes • Militarism • The development of armed forces and their usage as a diplomatic tool • Increasing military spending – growing arms race. • System of Alliances • Triple Alliance • Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy • Triple Entente • Britain, France and Russia

  4. Immediate Cause of the War • Balkan was the “Powder Keg” • Russia and Germany both had interest there • Bosnia was particularly important • 1914: Austrian Archduke Francis [Franz] Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, by a Serb nationalist member of Black Hand.

  5. Beginning of the War • Austria-Hungary Declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914 • Russia promised to help Serbia • Germany declared war on Russia on August 1. • Germany also declared war on France on August 1 • Germany Invaded Belgium, a neutral country • Now Britain Declared war on Germany

  6. Initial Stage of the War • Alliances were regrouped and renamed • Italy switched side and joined “Allies” former triple entente • Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joined with triple alliance now called the “Central Powers” • Allies lost Belgium to Germans • Then both side got stuck in a never ending “Trench Warfare” • Soldiers faced each other on “no-man’s” land. • Heavy casualty on both sides did not make any change.

  7. American Public Opinion Regarding War • Socialists considered it a conflict of capitalist interests • Pacifists considered it evil to fight in a war • Many Americans simply did not want their sons to die in the war • Many Americans of German descent supported Germany • Irish Americans were anti British and thought of an opportunity for Ireland’s independence • Other Americans felt close to Britain because of common ancestry and language. • American economic interest was with allies.

  8. Effect of War on America • British blockade of German coast caused Americans angry • German U-Boats started to sink ships around Britain. • American export was harmed.

  9. U.S. Joined the War • A U-Boat sank British ship Lusitania killing 128 Americans • Germany’s announcement that it would sink all ships in British water • British interception of Zimmerman Notes • President Wilson declared his war resolution on April2, 1917. • Congress approved the resolution.

  10. Homework • Questions 1, 2, and 3 on page 586.

More Related