The Road to War Chapter 10 Section 1

The Road to War Chapter 10 Section 1

Map of Europe

Causes of World War I �Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand �This was the spark, but not the main cause. � 1. ) Imperialism - Great Scramble for un-colonized areas of the world took place in the late 1800 s. - This surge of imperialism sharpened rivalries within Europe.

Causes of World War I cont’d. � 2. ) Militarism - This policy involved aggressively building up a nation’s armed forces in preparation for war. - Under this policy the military gained more authority. - All the super powers in Europe practiced militarism and their endless planning for war made war much more likely.

Causes of World War I � 3. ) Nationalism - Great powers act in their own best interest - Ethnic minorities longing for their way of life in a repressed area— often leads to violence 4. ) Alliances - There was a complicated system of alliances throughout Europe -Countries made alliances for their defense

The Conflict Expands �On July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia for the assassination Archduke Ferdinand. �Chain reaction with alliance system �Russia began mobilizing troops as Serbia’s primary protector, Germany responded by doing the same as an ally of Austria-Hungary. �On Aug. 1, 1914 Germany declares war on Russia.

The Conflict Expands Cont’d. �Using the Schlieffen Plan, the German army quickly swept through Belgium and northern France �Invading Belgium brought Britain in the war �Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary (later the Ottoman Empire) �Allies: Great Britian, Russia, France, Serbia (later Italy and the US)

Modern Warfare �Stalemate occurred due to each side equal in strength. Led to trench warfare. Described the first few years of the War. �Modern/advanced weaponry resulted in high casualties �Machine guns, new artillery, tanks, poison gas, etc. �Generals slow to change tactics and kept giving the order to attack “over the top”

The American Response �American Neutrality: Trade strongly influenced the American position on the war. �The US wanted to protect American investments �If entered the war or took sides, the US could jeopardize that �President Wilson officially proclaimed the United States a neutral country On August 4, 1914. �The American government protested the actions of both sides and tried to act as peacemaker.

American Response Cont’d. �The Preparedness Movement - those who had strong commercial ties to Great Britain urged the United States to get ready for war. �By the late summer of 1915, the movement’s leaders had persuaded the government to set up camps to train American men for combat. �Congress imposed a tax to ready the military

American Response �The Peace Movement: made up of… � Populists � Midwest progressives � Social reformers � Women

Michigan Department of Education High School Content Expectations U. S History and Geography � 6. 2. 2