W ORLD W AR I
SOL: VUS.9b
Objective: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the emerging role of the United States in world affairs and key domestic events after 1890 by evaluating United States involvement in World War I, including Wilson’s Fourteen Points, the Treaty of Versailles, and the national debate over treaty ratification and the League of Nations.
A. Four MAIN Causes of World War I
M Militarism – nations begin to build up their militaries
A Alliance systems – nations make agreements to protect each other in case they are attacked
Triple Alliance

Austria-Hungary

Germany

Italy (will join Allies in 1915)



Triple Entente
Great Britain
Russia
France
I Imperialism – countries in Europe (just like the US) desire more land, wealth, colonies. Nations compete to see who can get the most colonies
N Nationalism – loyalty to your nation, belief that your nation is the best
B. Sparking Event – June 28, 1914: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary (A-H) and his wife Sofia by a member of the Black Hand .

C. War Erupts




Central Powers
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Bulgaria
Ottoman Empire
Allied Powers

Serbia

Russia

France

Great Britain

1915 - Italy
The United States is neutral for the first three years of the war and many Americans want to stay out of the war.
D. Why did the US enter the War?
Submarine Warfare — Germans warn that all ships entering the waters around the British Isles are subjected to be sunk
- Lusitania (May 1915) passenger ship sunk by
German U-boat
- May have been carrying ammunition as well as passengers -- passengers warned not to travel on
Lusitania
- Wilson protests -- nothing happened
E. The Final Straws
1. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Jan. 1917)
Early January 1917 -- Germany decided to pursue “unrestricted submarine warfare”
Tell Wilson on January 31 st , he cuts off diplomatic ties
2. Zimmerman Telegraph (March 1, 1917)

-March 1, 1917 - coded message from Germany to Mexico.
-Says if Mexico attacks US, Germany will help
Mexico take back Arizona, New Mexico and
Texas.
-British intercepted, decoded and sent to the US
3. Russian Revolution (March 15, 1917)
Czar Nicholas II of Russia is toppled from power and Russia is taken over by a republican government (no communists yet) Russia not a monarchy -- now it is a war between democracy
& autocratic rule
A. What impact did US soldiers have on the war? a. America’s military resources of soldiers and war materials tipped the balance of the war and led to Germany’s defeat.
B. The Paris Peace Conference and the Fourteen Points a. Fourteen Points are Wilson’s plan to eliminate the causes of war i. Key ideas
1. Self-determination
2. Freedom of the sea
3. League of Nations
4. Mandate system b. French and English insisted on punishment of Germany.
C. Treaty of Versailles a. Germany accepted responsibility for starting the war b. A League of Nations was created. c. National boundaries were redrawn, creating many new nations.
D. The United States did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles a. Did not like the League of Nations b. Did not want to be involved in European Affairs

W ORLD W AR I
A.
Five (Four) Main Causes of World War I (MANIA)
M _____________________ – nations begin to build up their militaries
A _________________ – nations make agreements to protect each other in case they are attacked
Triple Alliance Triple Entente






I
N ______________________ – loyalty to your nation, belief that your nation is the best
______________________ – countries in Europe (just like the US) desire more land, wealth, colonies. Nations compete to see who can get the most colonies
A _____________________ – (Sparking Event) – June 28, 1914: The assassination of
_________________________ of Austria-Hungary (A-H) and his wife Sofia by a member of the
__________________ .
B.
War Erupts
Central Powers Allied Powers









The United States is neutral for the first three years of the war and many Americans want to stay out of the war.
C.
Why did the US enter the War?
- ___________________ — Germans warn that all ships entering the waters around the
British Isles are subjected to be sunk
- ________________ (May 1915) passenger ship sunk by German U-boat
- May have been carrying ammunition as well as passengers -- passengers warned not to travel on Lusitania
- Wilson protests -- nothing happened

D. The Final Straws
1. _____________________________ (Jan. 1917)
Early January 1917 -- Germany decided to pursue “unrestricted submarine warfare”,
Wilson cuts off diplomatic ties
2. ___________________________ (March 1, 1917)
-March 1, 1917 - coded message from Germany to Mexico intercepted by British and sent to the US.
-Says if Mexico attacks US, Germany will help Mexico take back Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
3. ____________________________ ( March 15, 1917 )
Czar Nicholas II of Russia is toppled from power and Russia is taken over by a republican government (no communists yet) Russia not a monarchy -- now it is a war between democracy & autocratic rule
E.
What impact did US soldiers have on the war?
a.
America’s military resources of soldiers and war materials tipped the balance of the war and led to Germany’s defeat.
F.
The Paris Peace Conference and the Fourteen Points a.
Fourteen Points are Wilson’s plan to eliminate the causes of war i.
Key ideas
1.
________________________
2.
________________________
3.
________________________
4.
________________________ b.
French and English insisted on punishment of Germany.
G.
Treaty of Versailles a.
Germany accepted _____________________________________________ b.
A __________________________________ was created. c.
National boundaries were redrawn, creating many new nations.
H.
The United States did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles a.
Did not like the ________________________________________ b.
Did not want to be involved in __________________________________________