APUSH Talking Points WWI
The War to End all Wars
AP Focus: Entering World War I in response to Germany’s unrestricted submarine
The American People: Chapter
warfare, Wilson turned America’s participation into a fervent ideological crusade for 22.
democracy that successfully stirred the public to a great voluntary war effort, but at
some cost to traditional civil liberties.
How and why did the conflict get started in Europe – remember Global Studies?
For several years there had been growing nationalism and competition in Europe –
a jostling for power and position. Rivalries were playing out over the acquisition of
colonies and overseas territories.
YOUR NOTES:
Long Terms Causes (Currents)
Militarism (arms race; proliferation) Mahan – to be a world power you had to have
a strong Navy to establish and protect military and commercial interests). European
countries building bigger and better Navy’s and building stronger armies
Alliances and the Balance of Power – Nations for rivalries and a series of
interlocking alliances to offset the power of each other; general balance of power
so one country isn’t running the show
Imperialism – Countries taking over weaker, less developed countries
Nationalism – German is knit together out of nationalist sentiments in 1870
Desire for self-determination (Philippines, Cuba etc). Nations trying to be the most
dominant and awakening Asian power (mainly Japan) trying to position themselves
in this power structure.
Immediate Causes of the Great War
The political assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (heir to the throne of the AustriaHungarian empire) by a Serbian nationalist who wants independence/autonomy –
remember Cuba? Remember the Philippines?
The balance of power becomes unbalanced…
1. Austria- Hungary moves into Serbia to punish this action (assassination of Archduke
Ferdinand)
2. Russia comes in to defend Serbia
3. Germany comes in on the side of Austria Hungary
4. France comes in on the side of Russia
5. England comes in on the side of Russia
6. Italy joins on the side of Russia and Serbia because it’s promised land
1
The US declares neutrality at the outbreak of war – S.A.F.E
World War I is the first modern war it looks like what we think of war today airplanes, tanks, poison gas, and an incredible loss of life (total war). Trench
Warfare - mud - dead bodies - hell on earth. Massive loss of life and massive
slaughter but not a lot of territorial gains and not a lot of movement.
WHY DID THE US JOIN THE WAR EFFORT?
Our neutrality had been challenged from beginning because of our innate sympathy
toward the allied side – Britain and France (remember 1776)
The Allied power represents the forces of civilization vs. the forces of darkness.
Propaganda is employed as the US begins to drift away from isolation and
neutrality.
Trade ties create a further problem because the US is selling war goods and
supplies. Germans are using u-boats to break the naval blockade. Technology is
changing the face of war!!!
1915 Germans sink the Lusitania 1,200 dead (128 Americans) – causes more
outrage in the US; Wilson negotiates agreement not to sink US vessels.
William Jennings Bryan (Secretary of State) resigns WHY? He senses a tilt towards
war and the false policy of neutrality – if you are really neutral you can ask Germans
to stop shooting ships, you halt trade and travel
1916 Wilson runs and wins a second term and wins on a “He kept us out of the
war!” Peace platform
Zimmerman Note/telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to
the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, and intercepted diplomatic
communication intercepted by Britain January of 1917, British cryptographers
deciphered a telegram
WHAT DID IT SAY? German offers Mexico land lost in 1845 (California, New
Mexico, Arizona). The American press published news of the telegram on March 1.
On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and
its allies.
Reactions to Zimmerman note
Mexico – outraged: Wilson has been sending US troops across the border
intervening in a Civil War in Mexico. Mexican raiders have been crossing the border
in retaliation Wilson’s troops movement.
Poncho Villa is principally remembered for his 1916 raid on Columbus, New Mexico,
that provoked the Punitive Expedition commanded by General John J. Pershing,
although the raid itself was a fairly minor event in Villa's military campaign history.
2
Point of Interest – Wilson in the future will talk about self-determination (14 Points)
a key qualifier is Wilson determining who should be free…
May 1917 Germans sink five separate ships with American passengers and war
supplies – justified by Germany
April 2, 1917 “the world must be made safe for democracy” and idealistic quest not
motivated by self-interest?
Forces of democracy and civilization vs. evil
Mobilization and Propaganda
2 million solders will be sent “over there” into a war that ha been raging for three
years and they tip the battles.
3