The First World War 1914 1918 The First

The First World War 1914 -1918

The First World War: Long term causes: 1. Militarism 2. Alliance System 3. Imperialism 4. Nationalism Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his Wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg one hour before their deaths, June 28, 1914. The assassination was the spark that ignited the war. Short term cause: Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 3

Militarism Ø Empires had to be defended and European nations increased military spending enormously in the late 19 th and early 20 th century. Ø By 1890 the strongest nation militarily in Europe was Germany Ø Germany had a strong army and built up a navy to rival England’s fleet. Ø France, Italy, Japan and the United States quickly joined in the naval buildup.

Battleships were being stockpiled by European nations, Japan, and America in the late 19 th and early 20 th century

Alliance System Ø By 1907 there were two major defense alliances in Europe Ø The Triple Entente, later known as the Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and Russia Ø The Triple Alliance, later known as the Central Powers, consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

Imperialism Ø For many centuries, European nations built empires. Colonies supplied raw materials and provided markets for manufactured goods. As Germany industrialized, she competed with other nations and colonies made her more competitive.

Nationalism Ø Often nationalism led to rivalries and conflicts between nations. Additionally, various ethnic groups resented domination by others and wanted independence. Finally, Russia and Austria. Hungary disagreed over the treatment of Serbs in central Europe. Germany was allied with Austria. Hungary while Russia, France and Britain were partners

The Spark: An Assassination Ø The Balkan region was considered “the powder keg of Europe” due to competing interests in the area. Russia wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea. Germany wanted a rail link to the Ottoman Empire. Austria-Hungary, which had taken control of Bosnia in 1878, accused Serbia of subverting its rule over Bosnia. Ø Finally, in June of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne was gunned down by a Serbia radical igniting a diplomatic crisis.

Gavrilo Princip

The Fighting Begins Ø The Alliance system pulled one nation after another into the conflict – The Great War had begun. On August 3, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium to Paris, France. Next, Germany would attack Russia

German Soldiers The conditions in these trenches were horrific. Aside from the fear of bombardment, soldiers also had to contend with mud, flooding, lice, vermin, and disease associated with living in such an unhealthy environment.

Both humans and animals were susceptible to the effects of poison gas. Dogs were used during World War I as sentries, sled dogs, pack animals, and messengers.

The Century: Shell Shock https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=1 GBWDQ 5 c. F_U&t=1 s

EQ: Was it in the national interest of the United States to stay neutral or declare war in 1917? Quote 1 The effect of war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do. Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned. . . The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men’s souls. —President Woodrow Wilson, August 19, 1914 Quote 2 We are glad. . . to fight thus for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples. . . The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. —President Woodrow Wilson, April 2, 1917 Answer the following questions in your notebook. 1. Read Quote 1 from President Woodrow Wilson. Identify his position toward World War I in 1914 by writing “stay neutral” or “declare war” in your notebook. Then identify one or more reasons President Wilson gave to support his position. 2. Read Quote 2 from President Woodrow Wilson. Identify his position toward World War I in 1917 by writing “stay neutral” or “declare war” in your notebook. Then identify one or more reasons President Wilson gave to support his position. 3. In your notebook, explain what might have happened in those three years to change President Wilson’s position.

Americans Question Neutrality Ø In 1914, most Americans saw no reason to join a struggle 3, 000 miles away – they wanted neutrality. Some simply did not want their sons to experience the horror of warfare. Some German-Americans supported Germany in World War I. However, many Americans felt closer to the British because of a shared ancestry and language. Most importantly, American economic interests were far stronger with the Allies. French propaganda poster portrayed the Germans as inhuman.

The War Hits Home Ø During the first two years of the war, America was providing (selling) the allied forces dynamite, cannon powder, submarines, copper wire and tubing and other war material. Ø Both the Germans and British imposed naval blockades on each other. The Germans used U-boats (submarines) to prevent shipments to the North Atlantic. Any ship found in the waters around Britain would be sunk.

http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=RCrza. C 4 a. LPg How did the Germans use u-boats to fight the war?

The Lusitania Disaster May 7, 1915 Ø United States involvement in World War I was hastened by the Lusitania disaster. The Lusitania was a British passenger liner that carried 1, 198 persons on a fateful trip on May 7, 1915. Ø A German U-boat sank the British passenger liner killing all aboard including 128 American tourists. The Germans claimed the ship was carrying Allied ammunition. Ø Americans were outraged and public opinion turned against Germany and the Central Powers.

The N. Y. Times reports on the Lusitania

1916 Election Ø The November 1916 election pitted incumbent Democrat Woodrow Wilson vs. Republican candidate Supreme Court justice Charles Evans Hughes. Ø Wilson won a close election using the slogan, “He kept us out of war. ” That slogan would prove ironic because within a few months the United States would be embroiled in World War I.

America Edges Closer To War Encoded message from Germany to Mexico Ø Several factors came together to bring the U. S. into the war: 1. Germany ignored Wilson’s plea for peace. 2. The Zimmerman Note, a telegram from the German foreign minister to the German Ambassador in Mexico, proposed an alliance with Mexico and a return of their “lost territory” in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. 3. Next came the sinking of four unarmed U. S. merchant ships by German subs.

Zimmerman note intercepted by a British agent and decoded

America Declares War Ø On April 2, 1917, senators, representatives, ambassadors, members of the Supreme Court, and other guests crowded into the Capital building to hear Wilson deliver his declaration of war. Ø Wilson said, “The world must be mad safe for democracy. ” Ø Congress passed the resolution a few days later.

EQ: How was World War I different from previous wars?

“Over There ”was a song written during World War I by George M. Cohan, an American composer and entertainer. CLICK TO PLAY SONG 1. What is the mood of this music? Does the mood match the lyrics? Explain. 2. According to this song, why should young men fight in the war? 3. What do you think Cohan’s purpose was in writing this song? 29

“On Patrol in No-Man’s Land” was a song written by James Reese Europe in 1919 about his experience as a lieutenant in the 369 th Regiment of the U. S. Army. CLICK TO PLAY SONG 1. What is the mood of this music? Does the mood match the lyrics? Explain. 2. According to this song, what dangers do soldiers have to look out for? 3. What do you think Europe’s purpose was in writing this song?

A War of Firsts 1. Label the map: all countries, major bodies of water (Oceans and Seas) 2. Create a key and color according 3. As you read the section, take notes and use the map to help you understand remember what you read. Be sure to record notes about these topics: Selective Service Act, American Expeditionary Force, and 369 th Regiment.

Industrialization of War Technology Prediction: How might it have changed the war experience for combatants? Sketch ØFlamethrowers ØTrench system ØU-boats/submarines ØMachine guns ØBattleships ØAirplanes Facts about the technology ØTanks ØPoison gas ØArtillery

• Launched in late September, 1918 • Over 1 million US troops • American Expeditionary Force’s (AEF) goal: break through the German line to reach Sedan railroad (Germany army’s main supply/communication line) • Was successful. November 11, 1918 germany agreed to an armistice (truce)

Destruction of Life • Over 8 million soldiers died, 21 million injured • Millions of civiliians across Europe died of disease, starvation and casualties of war

Destruction of Property War caused horrific damage to farms, forests, factories, towns and homes throughout Europe • “They are utterly destroyed, so that there are not even skeletons of buildings left— nothing but a churned mass of debris, with bricks, stone and…bodies pounded to nothing. And forests! There are note even tree trunks left—not a leaf or a twig. All is buried and churned up again and bureid again. – -John Raws, an Allied soldier August 4, 1916

Destruction of Transportation • War destroyed roads, bridges, railroad lines, and other transportation facilities • In addition to economies of Europe destroyed by war

Damage to the Human Spirit • Many men and women had eagerly supported the war effort but now felt disillusioned • Questioned long-held beliefs about glories of Western civilization and nobility of war