Goal 8: 1
World War I
“The Great War”
1914-1918
The War to End all Wars
Main Causes of WWI (1914-1918)
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Militarism
•
Desire to create a strong army / Competition
Alliance System
•
Desire for international security
Imperialism
•
Military strength (competition) / new markets / cultural
superiority
Nationalism
•
Deep devotion to your country (ego)
Alliance System in WWI

2 major defenses
•
The Triple Entente vs. The Triple Alliance
(ALLIES)
(AXIS / CENTRAL)
(1)France
(1) German
(2)AMERICA
(2) Bulgaria
(3) Great Britain
(3) Austria-Hungary
(4) Russia (withdraws in 1917) (4) Ottoman Empire
** MANY OTHERS
Purpose: international security
*America joins the Triple Entente in 1917
What starts WWI
*******************************************************
The “assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand”
(Heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne)
 1914 – Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo (A.H)
Gravillo Princip – (Serbian nationalist /
neighboring country) member of the terrorist
organization known as the “Black Hand” –
shoots Franz Ferdinand
Austria-Hungary declares war on
Serbia (FIRST BATTLE OF WWI)
Austria-Hungary is protected by Germany
through TREATIES
• Austria-Hungary and Germany against Serbia
• Axis vs. Allies
• German Strategy:
• America supports Germany in the beginning (British
•
sets up a blockade)
*FREEDOM OF THE SEAS policy is not HONORED!
• U-Boats (unterseeboot) – any ship found in British
•
water will be sunk
(UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE)
Freedom of the Seas


The idea that ships can travel through
international waters without being
attacked! (practiced since 16th century)
Germany’s “unrestricted submarine
warfare” opposed the idea of freedom of
the seas
Germany’s Leader / Emperor

Kaiser Wilhelm II
• Led the German government during WWI
- Last German Emperor
********Schlieffen Plan*********

Germany brings NEUTRAL Belgium into
WWI!!!!
Germany goes through
Belgium “QUICKLY” – then
goes to France, destroys
France and goes through
Belgium again to go to
Russia
American questions NEUTRALITY /
ISOLATIONISM / PACIFISM
1914 – no reason for U.S. to get involved
(WE BELIEVE IN NEUTRALITY)

1917 – America FINALLY gets involved
2 Reason why America got involved in 1917

(1)Sinking of the Lusitania (*unrestricted submarine
warfare / freedom of the seas)
(2)Zimmerman Note / telegram
Sinking of the Lusitania
(1 MAIN CAUSE OF AMERICAN
ENTRY)

German U-Boats (subs) were sent out to sink any opposing ship
•
•
THE SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA
Example of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
• A British liner with American passengers was sunk by a
•
U-Boat off the coast of Ireland (18 minutes)
German’s Defense: Ammo on board
RESULT: American opinion changed!!!
(Toward Germany)
Wilson’s Response: NOTHING
Germans – sink the Arabic then the
Sussex
Sussex Pledge (1916)



Sussex – French Ship (U.S. passengers)
that was sunk by German U-boats
A “promise” by the German government
to the U.S. in 1916 in response to the
conduct of unrestricted submarine
warfare / freedom of the seas
Reason: Germany wanted to keep
relationship with U.S.
1916 Presidential Election
WOODROW WILSON is Reelected
Presidential Campaign Slogan:
“He Kept Us Out of War!”
“Peace Without Victory” doctrine
Neither side would act as an
Aggressor…just work it out /
spread democracy
(this idea leads to the formation
of the League of Nations)

2 reasons why America fought in
WWI / The U.S DECLARES WAR
(1917)
Wilson calls for Peace…Germany doesn’t want that!
(U-Boats will still go out and sink everyone =
(1) Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
- attacking merchant ships “WITHOUT” warning!
(Example) Sinking of the Lusitania

(2) Zimmerman Note ****
- a telegram from Germany to Mexico
claiming they will HELP Mexico get
their land back they lost to the U.S.
*Britain intercepts letter*
(Proved that Germany had no plans
to keep U.S. relationship positive)
*Direct violation of Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary
British Problem with
Zimmerman Note
Britain intercepted telegram
(1) Tell America –
German attacks Br.
(2) Don’t tell America –
America cannot help
Br.
Wilson’s / Congressional Actions




Congress declares war (mobilization) against
the Central / Axis Powers (April 2, 1917)
Woodrow Wilson convinced them with a
speech to the Senate
Famous Quote:
“THE WORLD MUST BE MADE SAFE FOR
DEMOCRACY!”
-Woodrow Wilson on declaring war in WWI
Raising an Army (for WWI)

To meet the government’s need for more
fighting power, Congress passed the
• Selective Service Act (1917)
• Register for the draft,
to be called into active duty
to fight in WWI
Propaganda



Media used to “influence” the opinions or
behaviors of people
Gives loaded messages in order to produce an
emotional rather than rational response to the
information presented
Committee of Public Information (CPI)
•
•
First America Propaganda agency
Created by : GEORGE CREEL
3 causes of WWI (in Europe) VS. 2
causes for American involvement in
WWI
Causes of WWI
(1) Militarism
(2) Alliance System
(3) Imperialism
(4) Nationalism
Causes for U.S.
in WWI
(1) Unrestricted
Submarine
Warfare
(Germany)
(Example) Lusitania
(2) Zimmerman Note
Russian Revolutions (1917)


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February Revolution: led by Russian civilians
Overthrew the Tsarist Russian government
(Tsar Nicholas II)
Result: DEMOCRACY IS IN RUSSIA
October Revolution: Led by Vladimir Lenin
(Bolsheviks)
Established a Communist state
•
Communism – government controls business,
economy, politics and civil liberties of its citizens
(extreme version of socialism)
Propaganda / Ad Campaigns


Promote WWI and American Entry
One Picture / Political Cartoon
•
•
•
•
Most Important: Create an intriguing or persuasive
slogan to persuade American civilians and businesses
to support American entry into WWI
Examples: Joining the Army / Conservation of food /
Victory Gardens / Rationing
EXPLAIN AT BOTTOM (like back wall)
Due Today: 2 Pieces of Propaganda that addresses 2
separate issues