causes of world war one

Causes of World War

One

The underlying causes of World War I were:

Militarism – many countries were building up their military and getting ready for war.

Alliances – countries allied with one another for protection and markets.

Imperialism – countries wanted to expand and conquer other countries for land, resources, and markets.

Nationalism – strong feeling towards one’s country

Nationalism:The belief that national

interests & national unity should be placed ahead of global cooperation & that a

nation’s foreign affairs should be guided by its own

self interest.

Imperialism:Imperialism caused European nations to

compete with one another due to industrialism & the need for raw materials. All

of which created an underlying tension in

Europe

Militarism: (The development of armed forces & their use as a tool of diplomacy)

Because of nationalism & imperialism European nations began building up their armed forces. Each nation wanted its armed forces

to be stronger than those of any potential enemy.

By 1890, Germany was the strongest nation in Europe. They set up an army reserve system that drafted young men, trained them & then

returned them to civilian life until they were needed.

Alliance System:Nationalism, Imperialism & Militarism created mutual hostility, jealousy, fear

& desires between the nations of Europe, which ultimately led to the signing of treaties between these various nations. These treaties committed them to support one

another if they faced attack. There were two major alliances: the Triple

Alliance and Triple Entente.

World War I“The nations were caught in a trap. . .there was no

looking back.”

General Joffre, on the eve of the

Battle of the Marne, August, 1914

What do you think General Joffre meant by this statement?

Record on Left Side of your notes.

Britain and France - Europe’s liberal powers“What spoiled children we are”

Germany and Italy - The new nations“We demand our place in the sun”

Austria and Russia - Dying dynasties“Hard times make for hard lines”

Central Europe - The Balkan “tinderbox”“We wanna be free!”

Catch Phrases To Help You Understand Each

Country’s Position:

•Militarism•Alliances•Imperialism•Nationalism

MILITARISM

Militarism

Long Term Causes

• Militarism-–Glorifying Military Power–Keeping a large standing army

prepared for war–Arms race for military technology

Militarism-Definition

• An arms race between the European powers

• Fueled by the industrial development of the Industrial Revolution

• Creation of weapons of mass destruction• Glorification of arms and war• Mislead the people with propaganda

MILITARISM = Solve problems with guns

• Glorification of Military• Naval Arms Race-

– competition for strongest navy – Germany and England competed,

building: DREADNOUGHT DESTROYERS

Militarism & Arms Race• Germany is the military leader in terms of

expenditures and planning. • Between 1870 – 1914 France and Germany

doubled the size of their standing armies• In 1889 Britain decides on a policy that their

navy will be 2 1/2 times as large as the second and third largest navies so that they maintain naval superiority

• Britain introduces the Dreadnought class of battleship

Arms Race and the First World War:

Essential Background - 1

The Arms Race was as much about nations’ INSECURITY as about their NATIONALISM and EXPANSIONISM.

* the Daily Mail ran MANY stories (such as this one by William Le Queux) imagining German invasions.

*also John Buchan, The Thirty-Nine Steps (about German spies).


Increase in Spending

There was a four-fold increase in defence spending of the great powers, 1870-1914.

Defence Spending, 1870-1914

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

£m 94 130 154 268 289 398

1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1914

Comparative Military Build Up: 1870-1914

• Britain and Germany spent most per capita:

• Germany $8.52 • Britain $8.53 • U.S.A. $0.32

Militarism & Arms Race

1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1914

94 130 154 268 289 398

Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Ger., A-H, Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Ger., A-H, It., Fr., Br., Rus.] It., Fr., Br., Rus.] in millions of £s.in millions of £s.

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures

France 10%

Britain 13%

Russia 39%

Germany 73%


Attitude towards war

But note that militarism is also a government's attitude of mind, seeing war as a valid means of foreign policy. GERMANY was especially militaristic.

Arms Race and the First World War: Armies

GERMANY, worried because it was in-between France and Russia, built up the largest land army. The German army was accepted as being the biggest and the best in the world.


But other countries built up their land armies too – in 1914, the fastest growing army was that of RUSSIA. This worried GERMANY a lot.

This Russian postcard of 1914 shows Russia (symbolised by a woman) nailing the German eagle to a pillory after a war.

The build-up of armies 1900-1914

Standing Armies in Europe, 1914

1


As well as their STANDING ARMIES, the nations introduced CONSCRIPTION, so they also had large numbers of trained RESERVES. All the nations except Britain had HUGE armies.

The Naval Race 1906-1914

GermanyBritain

The age of the Dreadnought

and

The Naval Race 1906-1914•Britain needed a powerful navy to protect her large overseas Empire especially as the army was small. •In 1900, Britain had the largest navy in the world. •Germany began to build up her own navy in 1898 and this made Britain believe they were trying to challenge her and her colonies. •These fears were partly responsible for Britain entering into agreements with France and Russia.

•The German navy became a real threat to Britain after 1906 when both sides began building Dreadnoughts, a new battleship that could easily destroy any of the older type of battleships. •The race was on to build the most dreadnoughts.

The Naval Race 1906-1914•The race reached its peak in 1909. •The Germans refused to agree on the number of dreadnoughts they would build. •The British government only planned to build four but due to public pressure the government gave way and increased spending to maintain Britain’s naval superiority over Germany.

•By 1914, Britain had won the naval race so this cannot be seen as a main reason for Britain going to war. 29

17

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Britain Germany

Dreadnoughtsbuilt

Militarism

• Germany was competing with the UK to build battleships.

• The British feared an attack on their Empire


Navies - 1

If GERMANY was to have an empire, it needed a navy, so in 1900 Admiral Tirpitz introduced the German Navy Law, which announced a huge programme of building warships.

Militarism: Dreadnoughts Postcard


Navies - 2

Both BRITAIN and GERMANY started building Dreadnoughts – the most advanced class of warship in the world.

The Dreadnought essentially reduced everybody else’s number of warships to zero.


Navies - 3

There was a race between Germany and Britain to build the most Dreadnoughts.

The graph shows the number built each year.

Building Dreadnoughts, 1906-1914

0

2

4

6

8

Germany 0 0 4 3 1 3 2 3 1

Great Britain 1 3 2 2 3 5 3 7 3

1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914


Navies - 4

The British government planned to build four Dreadnoughts in 1909, but the British public panicked, demanding: 'We want eight and we won't wait'.

Reginald McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty 1908-11.

In 1909 he told Parliament that the German navy was just about to become more powerful than the Royal Navy, and he instigated the press scare-campaign that forced Parliament to build more Dreadnoughts.

• Answer the following questions on the political cartoon on the Left Side of your notes.

1. According to this cartoon, how did the Germans view the British navy?

2. In your opinion, was this a legitimate perception on the part of the Germans?

3. In light of this German perception of the British navy, why did the Germans feel justified in using their U-boats as they did?

Militarism-Political Cartoons• THE MISTRESS OF THE SEAS • "Shall we attack, Sir?" "Oh, no; first we

must signal for help! We are hardly three times as strong as the Germans.“

• March 1915

• This German cartoon is a bitter commentary on how they perceived the British Royal Navy.

• The two men in admiral's uniforms are supposed to be British officers.

http://rutlandhs.k12.vt.us/jpeterso/ww1cart4.htm


Navies - 5

In the end, Britain’s built many more Dreadnoughts than Germany.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Total Dreadnoughts

Germany 0 0 4 7 8 11 13 16 17

Britain 1 4 6 8 11 16 19 26 29

1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914

Militarism-Dreadnoughts

Militarism Song: “Hymn of Hate” or “The Hasslied”• Chanted by the German navy prior to and during

World War One:• French and Russian, they matter not,• A blow for a blow, a shot for a shot,• We fight the battle with bronze and steel,• And the time that is coming peace will seal.• You we will hate with a lasting hate,• We will never give up our hate.• Hate by water and hate by land• Hate of the head and hate of the heart• Hate of the hammer and hate of the crown• Hate of the 70 millions choking down• We love as one, we hate as one.• We have one foe and one alone: England.

Militarism in British Newspapers, Prose and Poetry

• “The British Empire is built up on good fighting by its army and its navy: the spirit of war is native to the British.”---The Morning Post

• “I see the Junker and Militarists of England and Germany jumping at the chance they have longed for in vain for many years of smashing one another and establishing their own oligarchy as the dominant military power.”---George Bernard Shaw

• “Count the life of battle good, and dear the land that gave you birth.”---Henry Newbolt

“To The Troubler Of The World” by William Watson, The Times, August 6, 1914

• At last we know you, War-lord. (Germany) You, that flung• The gauntlet down, fling down the mask you wore,• Publish your heart, and let its pent hate pour,• You that had God for ever on your tongue.• We are old in war, and if in guile we are young,• Young also in the spirit that evermore• Burns in our bosom ev’n as heretofore,• Nor are these thews unbraced, these nerves unstrung.• We do not with God’s name make wanton play;• We are not on such easy terms with Heaven;• But in Earth’s hearing we can verily say,• “Our hands are purse; for peace, for peace we have striven.”• And not by Earth shall he be soon forgive• Who lit the fire accurst that flames today.

“WAKE UP, ENGLAND” by Robert Bridges, The Times, August 8, 1914

• Thou careless, awake!• Thou peace-maker, fight!• Stand, England, for honour,• And God guard the Right!

• The mirth lay aside,• They cavil and play:• The foe is upon thee,• And grave is the day.

• The monarch Ambition• Hath harnessed his salves;• But the folks of the Ocean• Are free as waves.

• For Peace thou art armed• Thy Freedom to hold:• Thy Courage as iron,• Thy Good-faith as gold.

• Through Fire, Air, and Water• Thy trial must be:• But they that love life best• Die gladly for thee.

• Thy Love of their mothers• Is strong to command:• The fame of their fathers• Is might to their hand.

“WAKE UP, ENGLAND” continued

• Much suffering shall cleanse thee:• But thou through the flood• Shalt win to Salvation,• To Beauty through blood.

• Up, careless, awake!• Ye peacemakers, Fight!• ENGLAND STANDS FOR HONOUR.• GOD DEFEND THE RIGHT!

“PRO PATRIA” by Owen Seaman, Punch, August 12, 1914

• England, in this great fight to which you go• Because where Honour calls you, go you

must,• Be glad, whatever comes, at least to know• You have your quarrel just.

• Peace was your care; before the nations’ bar

• Here cause you pleaded and her ends you sought

• But not for her sake, being what you are,• Could you be bribed and bought.

• Others may spurn the pledge of land to land

• May with the brute sword stain a gallant past

• But by the seal to which you set your hand,

• Thank God, you still stand fast!

• Forth, then, to front that peril of the deep

• With smiling lips and in your eyes the light,

• Stedfast and confident, of those who keep

• Their storied scutcheon bright.

• And we, whose burden is to watch and wait---

• High-hearted ever, strong in faith and prayer,

• We ask what offering we may consecrate,• What humble service share?

“Pro Patria” (For One’s Country) continued

• To steel our souls against the lust of ease;• To find our welfare in the general good;• To hold together, merging all degrees• In one wide brotherhood;-

• To teach that he who saves himself is lost;

• To bear in silence though our hearts may bleed;

• To spend ourselves, and never count the cost,

• For others’ greater need;-

• To go our quiet ways, subdued and sane;• To hush all vulgar clamour of the street;• With level calm to face alike the strain• Of triumph or defeat;-

• This be our part, for so we serve you best,

• So best confirm their prowess and their pride,

• Your warrior sons, to whom in this high test

• Our fortunes we confide.

“VERITAS VICTRIX” (Truth Victorious) by William Watson, The Times, Sept 10, 1914

• The Mill of Lies is loud,• Whose overseer, Germania’s Over-lord,• Hath overmuch adored• The Over-sword,• And shall be overthrown, with the overproud.

• Praised be the overwatching Heavens, that though• Falsehood her blare of brass may pitch yet higher,• Truth hath her trumpets also, and these of gold,• And she can blow• Longer than any liar,• Fronting the sun, high on her mountains old.

Still Not Letting Go—and Still Breathing! The Prussian Eagle: "This is no good to me. That pup's growing every minute. I've half a mind to fly away." From The Sketch, London

The German Eagle (symbol of Imperial Gemany) is shown as bloodied and missing feathers after tangling with the British Bulldog ( a symbol of the British Empire).

“WAR FEVER”: NOTED WRITERS AND THINKERS ADVOCATED WAR

William James (American)

“The plain truth is that people want war” (1912)

Winston Churchill (British)

“. . .in the field of battle life is at its best and healthiest while one awaits the caprice of the bullet.” (1900)

von Treitschke (German)

“War, with all its bruitality and sterness, weaves a bond of love between man and man, linking them together to face death,

creating a bond that will last forever. He who knows history knows also that to banish war from the world would be to mutilate human

nature.”

Man is stunted by peaceful days,In idle repose his courage decays. . .

But in war man’s strength is seen,War enobles all that is mean.

Belloc (British)“How I long for the Great War. It will sweep Europe clean like a broom!”

Stravinsky (Russian)“War is necessary for human progress.” (1907)

Holmes (American)“. . .man’s warlike nature and his destiny is battle. Civilization has not changed

human nature. . .armed strife will not disappear from the earth until human nature changes.” (1895)

Driant (member of the French assembly)“the outcome of the next war will be decided in less than a month.” (1906)

Schiller (German)

“A War To End War”• “After long years of lethargy, our country was

once more about to assert her authority as one of the greatest, some said THE greatest of the world powers. We had been too modest, too lenient, they said, and see what come of it; now, once for all, we must give such small upstarts a lesson…It was really a war to prevent future wars.”---Flora Thompson

Militarism-Propaganda Postcards

Militarism-Propaganda Poster

Militarism-Propaganda

A German Boy Pretends to Be a Soldier

•Posters always showed men ready and willing to fight.•They never showed real fighting taking place.•They played on feelings of patriotism.•Also on male pride and perceptions of manhood

The Germans had recruitment posters as well. Note the historical and religious

themes.

• In 1914 young men on all sides rushed to join up with their mates.

• Many were excited and pleased when war was finally declared.

• Most believed the war would be over by Christmas, because their side was sure to win quickly.

• By fighting and winning a war, men could become glorious heroes.

• All able bodied men were expected to fight.

• Conscientious objectors were treated as criminals.

• They were humiliated by the general public.

In Britain…In London’s Trafalgar Square, crowds

celebrate Britain’s

declaration of war.

Recording Describing Crowds In London When War Was

Declared• http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/Lady%

20Margot%20Asquith%20-%20August%201914.mp3

http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/Lady%20Margot%20Asquith%20-%20August%201914.mp3



…and in Germany.

In Munich, crowds greet the news that

war has been declared with

excitement. Adolf Hitler, is there.


Effects

The arms race was tied in to both NATIONALISM and IMPERIALISM. It increased SUSPICION and HATRED of other nations - and it gave the nations the WHEREWITHAL to wage war.

Great Friends, Trusted Neighbors, 1909 – Panel 1

Good Friends, Trusted Neighbors, 1909 - Panel 2

Good Friends, Trusted Neighbors, 1909 – Panel 3

• French Political Cartoon on German Militarism

• What strategies are being used?

• What is the cartoonist’s point of view? Explain.

An Italian wartime postcard depicting �Guglielmo� (the Italian name for Kaiser Wilhelm) as a war mad buffoon.

"Isn't there somebody else to declare war upon?"

"There's the Republic of San Marino, your Majesty." (San Marino is one of the smallest

countries in the world and has no army.)

Militarism-Political Cartoon

With your partner, come up with a good sarcastic caption for this historical political cartoon. Write it on the Left Side with an explanation.

http://greatwar.nl/hahn/dag7.html

On the Left Side of your notes, sketch out your

idea and then turn to your partner and share:• Sketch out ideas for a militarism

Propaganda Poster or Political Cartoon for one of the following countries:

EnglandGermanyRussia• Consider slogan and images that directly

correspond with the country’s militaristic actions.

Long Term Causes

• Alliance System-–Designed to keep peace in Europe,

instead pushed continent towards war

–Many Alliances made in secret–By 1907 two major alliances: Triple

Alliance and Triple Entente

Alliance-Definition

• Alliances were formed in the late 1800s in preparation for a world war

• Alliances were built around the wording of a defensive not offensive war for some

• Once conflict broke out between two countries, all others would be drawn into the war due to the alliances

The alliances provided a measure of international security because nations were reluctant to disturb the balance of

power.

Alliances and the First World War:

Essential Background - Fact 1

World War I was all about the place of Germany in Europe


Germany in the Middle

Germany’s BIG problem was that it was IN THE MIDDLE.

That made it VULNERABLE if it came to a war.

At last the dream of a life time was made real, a united Germany under Prussia with Wilhelm I as Kaiser, and Prince Otto von Bismarck the Iron

Chancellor

German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck’s adage was always to be in a majority of three in any dispute among the five great European powers. His aim was to preserve Germany’s peaceful ties with Russia. “Never fight a two front war.”

A system of alliances would

now be created to guarantee the safety

of the newGerman State.


Essential Background - Fact 2

France and Germany hated each other! When Germany became united country in 1870-1, France went to war to try to stop it … but got WHOOPED!

This Propaganda Image is in reference to the Franco-Prussian War that Bismarck instigated to unite Germany under Prussian rule. This would be one of the reasons France would want to go to war to get revenge on Germany.


Essential Background Fact 2 (cont.)

France also lost Alsace-Lorraine in 1870-1.The French never forgave the Germans. They wanted REVENGE.


Three Emperors’ League, 1881

In the 19th century, Germany’s brilliant Chancellor, Bismarck, solved this problem by keeping friends with RUSSIA and AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (the Dreikaiserbund).


Triple Alliance, 1882

Then Bismarck allied with Italy and Austria-Hungary (the TRIPLE ALLIANCE, 1882). Together with his friendship with Russia, this kept Germany safe.

In 1888, Kaiser Wilhelm I, King of Prussia of the House of Hohenzollern dies at age of 91, leaving the empire to his already dying son Frederick III.

http://www.z6.com/z6files/z6files/fotw/images/d/de_pr-r3.gif

http://atlasgeo.span.ch/fotw/images/d/de-impwa.gif

A new force enters the stage of world politics. Wilhelm II now becomes the third Kaiser of a united Germany. Wilhelm is determined to build a place for Germany among the great empires of the world. Driven by an inferiority complex related to his own deformity and schooled by Bismarck in the concept of Pan-Germania, Wilhelm embarks on a an arms race.


http://home.hccnet.nl/r.ruggenberg/greatwar/kaiser/tuinbank.html

“Dropping the Pilot”

In 1890 Kaiser Wilhelm II forces the resignation of his tutor, Chancellor Prince Otto

von Bismark.

Wilhelm II will now act on his own as the designer of

Imperial German Foreign Policy.

http://www.britannica.com/needmore

http://www.boondocksnet.com/cartoons/mcc196.html

http://www.boondocksnet.com/cartoons/mcc196.html

Kaiser Wilhelm II quickly upset Bismarck’s delicate balance of power. Germany, by refusing to renew its friendship with Russia, soon found itself in a minority of two. Its only European ally, was the weakest of the European powers, Austria-Hungary.

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/a/ah-me97.gif



Germany encircled

But when Kaiser Wilhelm II became Emperor, he dumped the Russian alliance. He kept the Triple Alliance, but this did NOT solve the problem of Germany’s encirclement.


Franco-Russian Alliance, 1892

Instead, in 1892, Russia made an alliance with FRANCE.Although it was only a DEFENSIVE alliance, it was Germany’s worst nightmare!


Anglo-Japanese Naval Agreement, 1902

A very important one was the 1902 Anglo-Japanese Naval Alliance, which freed up Great Britain from protecting its Empire in the far east…


Entente Cordiale, 1904

… which allowed Britain to make the Entente Cordiale (‘friendly relationship’) with France in 1904.


Triple Entente, 1907

In 1907 Russia joined Britain and France to make the Triple Entente. So by 1914 Europe had divided into two massive superpower blocs. People thought this BALANCE OF POWER would keep the peace.

The Alliance SystemTriple EntenteTriple Entente:: Triple AllianceTriple Alliance::

Great Britain

France

Russia Italy

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Leaders

Triple AllianceKaiser Wilhelm II

(Germany)Franz Joseph I (Austria-Hungary)

Vittorio Orlando(Italy)

Triple EntenteDavid Lloyd George

(England)Raymond Poincare

(France)Czar Nicholas II

(Russia)

Alliances

• Red---Triple Entente• Pink---Triple Alliance

Alliances

• Triple Entente• Triple Alliance

Two Armed Camps!Allied PowersAllied Powers:: Central PowersCentral Powers::

The Two Sides

Triple AllianceGermany

Austria-HungaryItaly

Central PowersGermany

Austria-HungaryOttoman Empire

Triple EntenteEnglandFranceRussia

Allied PowersEngland, France,

Russia, United States, Italy, Serbia, Belgium, Switzerland


The Balkans

But Russia was also allied to Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. When trouble erupted in the Balkans in 1914, the nations found their alliances dragged them into war…

The Major Players: 1914-17

Nicholas II Nicholas II [Rus][Rus]

George V [Br]George V [Br]

Pres. Poincare Pres. Poincare [Fr][Fr]

Allied PowersAllied Powers::

Franz Josef [A-H]Franz Josef [A-H]

Wilhelm II [Ger]Wilhelm II [Ger]

Victor Emmanuel Victor Emmanuel II [It]II [It]

Central PowersCentral Powers::

Enver PashaEnver Pasha[Turkey][Turkey]

Motivations behind Alliances• Russia:

– saw itself as the Protector of the Slavs – and claimed that Austria-Hungary treated the Serbs and the

other Slavic minorities within its empire unfairly. – Russia sought ready access to the Mediterranean Sea.

• Ottoman Empire: – Had been losing territory since the 18th century (1700s) – and sought to preserve its integrity and great power status

• Germany: – Shared history and culture with Austria and created a strong

bond. – Wanted to secure the Rhineland and ward off French desires to

seek revenge for the loss of Alsace-Lorraine in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War

Motivations behind Alliances• Italy:

– Wanted to strengthen its position as world power and gain more colonies.

– Italy switched sides from the Central Powers to the Allied Powers in 1915 when promised to receive colonies after the war

• France: – Looked upon Germany as an aggressor – and wished to get back the territories it lost to Prussia (later

leader of united Germany) in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871• Serbia: Wanted to bring all Serbs in the Ottoman and

Austrian-Hungary Empires into the Kingdom of Serbia

The Wearing-Down Tactics"- Lustige Blaetter (Berlin) The New-York Times Mid-Week PictorialNew York, New YorkDecember 30, 1915

"Goddam! What kind of fleas have I got in my mane anyway!"

This cartoon from the periodical Simplicissimus, Munich portrays the British Lion (traditional symbol of Britain) as infested with Japanese fleas. The message it conveys is that the British are being influenced towards war by the Japanese diplomatic maneuvers.


How the Alliances caused war

… like mountain climbers tied to the same rope.(i.e. it is arguable that THE SYSTEM OF

ALLIANCES CAUSED WORLD WAR ONE.)

The Chain of Friendship


Webs of Alliances

There were many more alliances.

Alliance-Central Powers-Propaganda Postcards

German Propaganda on Alliances

British Alliance Propaganda Postcard

• “The Under-Study: The Triple Alliance Revised and Corrected. “

•This Italian cartoon from the Numero in Turin shows Germany and Austria seated next to a smaller figure.

• The name on the middle chair used to be Italy but it has been crossed out and replaced with Turkey.

• It refers to the fact that originally Italy was a member of the Triple Alliance between Austria, Germany and Italy and should, pursuant to its treaty obligations, have fought on the side of the Germans.

• Instead, Italy (the weaker of the three parties) remained neutral and eventually entered the war on the side of the Allies.

• The cartoon comments on the fact that the Germans and Austrians have found a replacement in Turkey, also a weaker power that they can manipulate.

On the Eve of WWI: Woodrow Wilson Steers

Toward Justice(While Avoiding

both War & Intervention)The Dallas

Morning NewsDallas, Texas

March, 1914

114

Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the

war?•America was isolationist •“Why should I get involved in someone else’s problems”

115

Which side should the US pick?

•11 million German-Americans

•Irish-Americans hated Great Britain

•Close cultural ties •Shared transatlantic cables (so censored

stories)•Big business loaned much

$ to Allies

Central Powers: Allies:

Nations 1914 1915 1916 Britain $594,271,863 $911,794,954 $1,526,685,102 France $159,818,924 $364,397,170 $628,851,988 Germany $344,794,276 $28,863,354 $288,899

US Exports to both sides:

The U.S. Enters The Great War•By 1917, the focus of the war shifted to the sea.

•That year the Germans intensified the submarine warfare.

• Earlier in 1915, the Germans sank the British liner the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland, which killed 1,198 persons including 128 Americans.

• The American public was outraged.

• President Woodrow Wilson sends a strong protest to Germany & they agree to stop attacking neutral & passenger ships, but two months later the Germans sink another British liner & a year later in 1916, the Germans sink a French passenger steamer killing or injuring about 80 passengers.

•By 1917, failed crops, as well as a British naval blockade, along the German coast to prevent weapons, food & other military goods from getting through, caused severe food shortages in Germany.

•An estimated 750,000 Germans starved to death as a result of the blockade.

•In response, Germany decided to establish its own naval blockade around Britain.

•In Jan. 1917, the Germans announce that their subs would sink without warning, any ship found in the waters around Britain – this policy was called unrestricted submarine warfare.

117

What did it take to get the US involved?1. Blockades

•Britain blockaded

(stopped) all German ships

going to America

•Germany announced a

submarine war around Britain

Y-53 German Submarine 1916

119


•In May, 1915 Germany told

Americans to stay off of British ships•They could/would

sink them

121


•Lusitania torpedoed, sinking with

1200 passengers and crew

(including 128 Americans)

•Was eventually found to be

carrying 4200 cases of

ammunitionGerman Propaganda Justifying Lusitania sinking

122


•The US sharply

criticized Germany for their action

•Germany agreed not to

sink passenger ships without warning in the

futureNote in Bottle After Lusitania Disaster

124

What did it take to get the US involved?

2. Unlimited Submarine Warfare

•1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine

warfare” in the war zone

Why? Otherwise their blockade would

not be successful

125


3. Zimmerman Note •US intercepted a note from Germany to

Mexico, •It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an alliance

126


•Zimmerman Note + the sinking of 4

unarmed American

ships led to a declaration

of war

In February 1917, the British intercepted a telegram from Germany’s foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, to the German ambassador in Mexico, which said that Germany would help Mexico obtain the land it had lost to the U.S. if Mexico would ally itself with Germany. The British decoded the message & gave it to the U.S. government.

When the note was made public, Americans called for war against Germany.On April 2, 1917, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war. Thus the U.S. entered the war on the side of the Allies.

The telegram had such an impact on American opinion that, according to David Kahn, author of The

Codebreakers, "No other single cryptanalysis has had such enormous consequences.“

It is his opinion that "never before or since has so much turned upon the solution of a secret

message."

• Pancho Villa's Specialty: Getting the MoneyAn Early Shakedown Artist

• The Dallas Morning News

• Dallas, Texas• March 8,

1914

THE MAJOR PARTICIPANTSTHE ALLIED POWERS

(The Triple Entente)

1. France

2. Russia

3. Great Britain

4. Serbia

5. Belgium

6. Japan

7. Montenegro

8. United States

9. Italy

THE CENTRAL POWERS

(The Triple Alliance)

1. Austria-Hungary

2. Germany

3. Ottoman Empire

4. Bulgaria

VS.

On the Left Side of your notes:• Respond to the historical information on the

Alliances.– Can you compare the alliances to situations in your own

life? Explain.– What do you think of the motivations behind the alliances?

Why?– Do you think America made the right decision when

joining the war and on the side she did? Why or why not?– If you were Germany, would you have broken your

promise to America in terms of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917? Why or why not?

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