WWI
“THE
GREAT
WAR”
King George V of England &
Czar Nicholas II of Russia
Kaiser William II of Germany &
Czar Nicholas II of Russia
M.A.I.N. Causes of WWI
Militarism
•Nations
increase
their
military
strength to
reach their
goals.
As this occurs, rivals feel threatened
and build up their military strength too.
Alliances
• Defense
agreements
between
nations to aid
each other,
especially
during war.
Imperialism
•A
nation’s
desire to
grow and
expand its
territories.
Nationalism
Two wounded British soldiers walk with wounded German soldier.
IE: Intense patriotism to the point that one is willing
to sacrifice and even lay down their life.
 The
feeling of
intense
pride and
loyalty to
one's
country
Short Term Cause of WWI
 Assassination of
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand heir
to the AustroHungarian
Empire, was the
spark that
caused the war,
on June 28,
1914.
The Archduke
was killed by 19
year old Gavrilio
Princip member
of the “Black
Hand,” a Serbian
nationalist group
who believed
Austro-Hungarian
rule would
destroy his
homeland.
Picture during the arrest.
Watch the
Dominos
Fall !!!
AustroHungarian
Empire sent
demands to
Serbian
government.
Serbia
rejected
demands.
With the help
of Germany, the
AustroHungarian
Empire
declared war on
Serbia…
Germany
declared war on
Russia (ally of
Serbia)…
Germany
declared war on
France (ally of
Russia) and
marched on
neutral Belgium
and Luxemburg.
Great Britain
declared war on
Germany (ally
sworn to protect
Belgium).
Central Powers
versus the Allies
Allied Powers






France
British Empire
Serbia
Belgium
Russia
1917 United States
Central Powers
versus the Allies
Pictured: Kaiser Wilhelm II, Germany,
Enver Pasha Ottoman Empire (Turkey),
Emperor Franz Joseph, Austro Hungarian Empire
(Austria/Hungary).
Central Powers
 German
Empire
 AustroHungarian
Empire
 Ottoman
Empire
 Bulgaria
Reasons for United States
Involvement in WWI
 The U.S. could
no longer remain
neutral in face of
increasing
threats to its
national
interests.
What were the 4 reasons the
United States entered into
World War I?
1. The U.S.
could no longer
remain neutral;
2. the U.S. had
close economic
and political ties
to England.
3. German
unrestricted
submarine
warfare (to
prevent supplies
from reaching
England): sinking
of the Lusitania
German unrestricted submarine
warfare
The Germans shot at any ships
without warning — a violation of
international law
Interception of the
Zimmerman Telegram
4. The Zimmerman
Telegram offered
Mexico the land it lost
to the U.S. during the
Mexican War if Mexico
would align itself with
Germany in the event
that the U.S. entered
the War.
 This outraged
Americans.
April 6, 1917: Congress declared war
on Germany
What occurred when
American troops went to war?
 President Woodrow
Wilson of the U.S.
provided leadership
during the war, along
with his commander,
General John Pershing,
who led the American
Expeditionary Force of
American soldiers, called
doughboys, in Europe.
On October 4,
1918 -the
Germans
requested an
armistice, or an
agreement to end
the fighting.
The armistice
began on
November 11,
1918.
day,
th
month, 11 hour
th
11
th
11
United
States
leadership
as the war
ended
 January 1919 – world leaders
gather in Paris, France for a
peace conference.
 At the end of
World War I,
President
Wilson prepared
a peace plan,
called the
Fourteen Points.
 This plan called
for the formation
of the League of
Nations, which
would be a
peacekeeping
organization.
 The Allies disagreed on how to
“punish” the Central Powers.
 Wilson did not want to punish them –
other allies sought revenge.
 Eventually, Germany
was forced to accept
responsibility for the
war and agree to pay
money for war
damages…
 No more weapons.
 No more colonies.
Countries who made up the
Treaty of Versailles and their
leaders…
 U. S. 
 Britain
 France
 Italy 
President Wilson
 David Lloyd George
 George Clemenceau
Victorio Orlando
American Opposition
 Wilson presented the
Treaty of Versailles to
the U.S. Senate in July
1919 for ratification.
 The Senate had to approve
the treaty before the U.S
could officially accept it.
 Many Americans did not
trust the idea of a League
of Nations.
American Opposition
 The Treaty of
Versailles was
rejected in 1920 by
the United States.
 The U.S. did NOT join the
League of Nations.
 In 1921 the U.S. signed a
separate treaty with each of
the Central Powers,
officially ending the war.
World War I Ends