The War To End All Wars World War

The War To End All Wars: World War I

Europe Picks Sides � 1871: Prussia unites Germany into one state Took some land from France �Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy �Triple Entente: France, Britain, and Russia �Militarism: build-up to intimidate/threaten � 1900: Germany is Europe’s strongest nation

“Till the world comes to an end, the ultimate decision will rest with the sword”

European Colonies in East Asia

Europe Colonizes Africa

Europe Breaks Down: Summer of 1914 �Nationalism vs. Imperialism �Serbians rise against Ottoman Empire for independence, Russia helps �Austrians don’t want their Slavs getting ideas from Serbians, block Serbian action �June 28, 1914: Bosnian terrorist group, The Black Hand, assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand (future Austrian king) �Serbia rejects Austria-Hungary’s peace offer, due to ridiculous terms/demands �With Germany’s “full support” Austria-Hungary attacks Serbia on July 28

Conflict Grows �Russia had prepared for war with Austria- Hungary and Germany, so it mobilizes for war with both, Germany declares war �Germany’s Schlieffen Plan calls for war with Russia, and France—first hold Russians, then invade France, with control of France, then get Russia—August 3 �Aug 4: Britain declares war on Germany bringing all the great European pwrs to war

The Great War �Italy turns back on Germany, joins with France, Britain, and Russia; forms Allied Pwrs �Germany & Aust. -Hun. join with Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria; form Central Powers �Fighting in France (Western Front) does not move, trench warfare �The United States remains neutral Debate about war preparations begin

America picks sides �Most Americans favor British side of war British use propaganda to build favor �U. S. companies/banks support Allies �British blockade Germany ports German U-boats sink merchant ships bound for Britain, including American ships �May 7, 1915: Germany sinks the Lusitania Over 1, 000 deaths, 128 Americans dead Germany promises to stop torpedoing ships

America at War �January 1917: German Arthur Zimmermann sends telegram to Mexico, promising all lost territory if it attacked U. S. A. British intercept the telegram, tell Americans �February 1917: German U-boats start sinking ships again (including 6 American ships) �April 1917: Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany