The Great War
Long Term Causes
– Imperialist and economic
rivalries among Euro Powers
– Euro alliance system
– Militarism and arms race
– Nationalist tensions in
Balkans
Arms
Race
Nationalism
Strategic
Alliances
Major
Causes of
WWI
Militarism
Colonialism
Imperialism
The Race
for Africa
Ethiopia
By 1914,
African
territory
was hotly
contested
by many
European
powers.
German
East
Africa
The Road to War
• Early 1900’s Europe’s major
powers had large armies and
conflicting goals
• Each international problem
brought these nations closer to
war.
Foreign Policies of the Major
Powers
• Europe seemed peaceful
• However, two military alliances
grew out of distrust and fear
• The Triple Entente included France,
Great Britain, and Russia.
• The Triple Alliance included
Germany, Italy and Austria
Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, and
Ireland remained neutral.
Germany
• Thought it should be the strongest
military power in Europe
• Strengthened its army and navy
• Sought more influence in Asia
and Africa
• Feared a French-Russian alliance
Taking Sides
• Entente  Allies
• Central Powers
(“good guys”?)
– Germany
– AustriaHungary
– Ottoman
Empire
– Bulgaria
– UK (Britain)
– France
– Russia
– Italy
– Japan
– USA
The Consequences of Austria’s Declaration of War
START
Emperor Franz
Joseph I of
Austria
Support
Declare
War
FINISH
Kaiser Wilhelm
II of Germany
Declare
War
Serbia
Support
Tsar
Nicholas II
of Russia
Declare
War
Declare
War
Declare
War
England
Support
France
Support
Belgium
U.S. Maintains Neutrality
• Continues to trade w/ both sides
• Britain blockades German ports in North Sea
& English Channel
– U.S. avoids conflict / stops trade to Central
Powers
• German U-boats sink merchant ships bound
for England/France
– Lusitania sunk…outrage among U.S. population
• Zimmerman telegram intercepted. Many
in U.S. call for war after this ‘insult’ and
more ships are sunk.
• April 6, 1917, United States enters WWI.
U.S. Mobilizes for War
• Army ill-equipped for battle, so President
Wilson does 3 things:
– Initiates the draft – 9 million are forced to
register. 2 million more volunteer
– Industry and food production increase drastically
to help the war machine
– Established the Committee on Public Information
(CPI) to “propagandize” the war and eliminate
dissent.
• Espionage and Sedition Acts limit freedom of speech
and press during the war.
The Tide Turns
• Fresh troops add new life to Allied armies.
U.S. troops getting beat, so General
Pershing intensifies their training then
wages aggressive military campaign
against the war-torn Germany.
End of War
• German people, tired of war, overthrow
their leader – Kaiser Wilhelm – and
declare a republic in Germany. They
quickly surrender to the allies.
– 11a.m., Nov. 11, 1918 (the eleventh hour of
the eleventh day of the eleventh month) –
becomes known as “Armistice Day”
What about Russia?
• They went through their own revolution in
1917. The Bolsheviks took control
(communist revolution). They decided to
stop fighting with Germany and agreed to
harsh terms under the treaty…lost lots of
land in eastern Europe.
• Even though they didn’t fight the last year,
they bore the brunt of Germany’s attacks.
More people died in Russia than any other
nation in WWI.
Treaty of Versailles
• The victorious leaders meet in Versailles,
France to discuss the peace terms of the
treaty – What should be done with Germany
and the Central Powers?
– Punish them or practice restraint?
– The “Big Four” dominate discussion:
• President Wilson wants a “peace without victory”
– He says we should not punish Germany harshly, but should
address the problems that started the war in the first place
» He brings to the table his “Fourteen Points”
• Clemenceau, George, and Orlando want vengeance.
– Punish Germany harshly and hold them responsible/make
them pay/demoralize them.
• The European leaders out-vote Wilson and
decide to punish Germany for their
“aggression”. They are made to pay war
reparations, take responsibility for starting
the war, and give up large amounts of land.
• One thing Wilson got was his idea of a
‘League of Nations’
• Sadly, our own Senate did not agree to sign
the Treaty of Versailles because we wanted
to be isolated again from Europe’s problems.