World War I Begins Chapter 11 Section 1

World War I Begins Chapter 11, Section 1

I believe that the first vote I cast was the most significant vote and a most significant act on the part of women, because women are going to have to stop war. I felt at the time that the first woman [in Congress] should take the first stand, that the first time the first woman had a chance to say no to war she should say it. -Jeannette Rankin: First Lady in Congress

Causes of World War I • America wanted to stay out of WWI! – Why? • But this was difficult because of 4 key reasons

Nationalism • The devotion to the interests and culture of one’s nation – Think “USA, USA!” • Nationalism can lead to competition among nations (we are in industrial competition with Germany) • Ethnic groups in a country feel resentment towards domination by others – Explain

Imperialism • Why did imperialism play a role? • They (European countries) built empires (took over other countries) • America joined in • Soon European countries want to control the same countries – Think about the division for Africa and the Berlin Conference

Militarism • Empires are expensive to build and maintain • This meant… European countries tried to build the biggest and best militaries so others would not mess with them • They used the military as a diplomatic tool • “You are going to do this, or I will break you”

Alliance System • Defensive alliances in Europe break into two groups • Triple Entente – they will later be known as the Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and Russia • Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. This will change • The problem…if one goes to war, they ALL GO TO WAR

Assassination Leads to War • Europe is a keg of gun powder • Because of the four reasons states before tensions are high • It needed a spark to explode and the spark came from an assassination • Assassination of Archduke

Outcome • Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the next in line to rule Austria (remember monarchies) • He was killed while visiting an area of his empire that wanted to be free (imperialisms) • The people responsible, Serbs, who belonged to a nation aligned with the Allies (Alliances) • Serbia and Austria are now at war • Russia backed Serbia, Germany backed Austria • And the dominos fall

Part II

The Fighting Starts • August 3, 1914 Germany invades Belgium • Germany is executing the Schlieffen Plan – Hold Russia – Push through Belgium to Paris quickly

Germans Sweep Into France • Belgium was neutral so…Germany’s actions were condemned worldwide • On September 1914 Germany has pushed into France where their advance is finally halted • Trench Warfare begins – Let’s discuss

Americans Question Neutrality • In the beginning a vast number of Americans did not want to join the war • Reasons people wanted to join: – Immigrants from a country involved – Economic ties – Want to be a global power

War Hits Home • America lent lots of resources to the Allied powers • In 1917 America mobilizes (get’s ready) for war • British Blockade: Britain blockaded all German ports, this meant nothing could get in via the sea • America was still trading with Germany and this made a lot of businesses upset with Britain

War Hits Home • Germany response by declaring unrestricted submarine warfare – Bascially, we will sink anything that comes into this area • They sink the Lusitania which carried 128 Americans • America is outraged • Germany continues to sink passenger ships • America warns them to stop • President Wilson keeps calling for peace

Zimmermann Note

• On April 2, 1917 America is at war