Section 9-1

World War I Begins

Causes of World War I

• Nationalism- a devotion to the interests and culture of one’s nation.

• Imperialism- policy in which stronger nations extend their economic political, or military control over weaker territories.

• Militarism- the development of armed forces and their use as a tool of diplomacy.

Causes of World War I

• Alliance System- – Allies (Triple Entente)- France, Britain, and

Russia. – Central Powers (Triple Alliance)- Germany,

Austria-Hungary, Italy, Ottoman Empire.

Causes of World War I

• M. ilitarism

• A. lliance System

• I. mperialism

• N. ationalism

An Assassination Leads to War

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand- Heir to the Austrian throne. Was visiting the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo in June of 1914, when a Serbian nationalist (Gavrilo Princip) shot him and his wife as the royal entourage drove through the city. This was the spark that ignited Europe into WWI.

The Fighting Starts

• Schlieffen Plan- called for holding action against Russia, combined with a quick drive through Belgium to Paris; after France had fallen, the two German armies would defeat Russia.

The Fighting Starts

• Trench Warfare- was used to hold off the German advance. Very bloody and deadly type of warfare, where two parallel systems of trenches were dug across France and Belgium. Armies fought for mere yards of ground over three years.

• “No man’s land”- barren expanse of mud pockmarked with shell craters and filled with barbed wire that was between the trenches.

Americans Question Neutrality

• Divided Loyalties:Divided Loyalties:– Socialists criticized the war as a capitalist and

imperialist struggle between Germany and England.– Pacifists believed the war was evil and we should be

setting an example of peace.– Many Americans didn’t want their sons to experience

the horrors of warfare.– Naturalized citizens still had ties to the nations from

which the emigrated.– Many Americans felt close to Britain because of

common ancestry.– America’s economic ties with the Allies were much

stronger than their ties with the Central Powers.

The War Hits Home

British Blockade:-blockaded the German coast to prevent weapons, military supplies, and food from getting through.

German U-Boat Response:-Any ship found in the waters around Britain would be sunk.-Lusitania- British liner sunk off the coast of Ireland. Of the 1,198 persons lost, 128 were Americans.

The United States Declares War

• Zimmerman Note- a telegram from the German foreign minister to German ambassador in Mexico that was intercepted by British agents. The telegram proposed an alliance between Mexico and Germany and promised that if war with the U.S. broke out, Germany would support Mexico in recovering lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.