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Causes of WWICauses of WWI&&

Reasons for Reasons for United States United States

Entry into Entry into WWIWWI

Causes of WWICauses of WWI&&

Reasons for Reasons for United States United States

Entry into Entry into WWIWWI

Five CausesFive Causes

NationalismNationalism

the feeling of intense loyalty to one's countrythe feeling of intense loyalty to one's country

Two wounded British soldiers walk with wounded German soldier.

MilitarismMilitarism

• Nations increase their military strength to reach their goals. As this occurs, rivals feel threatened and build up their military strength too.

• Nations increase their military strength to reach their goals. As this occurs, rivals feel threatened and build up their military strength too.

AlliancesAlliances

• defense agreements between nations to act together, especially during war.

• defense agreements between nations to act together, especially during war.

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Imperialism•Desire to grow and expand

Short Term CauseShort Term Cause� Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

� Heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the spark that caused the war, on June 28, 1914.

� Serbs though that they might come under control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

� Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand� Heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the

spark that caused the war, on June 28, 1914.� Serbs though that they might come under

control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

� Austro-Hungarian Empire sent demands to Serbian government

� Serbia rejected demands.� With the help of Germany, Austro-

Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia; Germany declared war on Russia (ally of Serbia), and Great Britain declared war on Germany.

� Austro-Hungarian Empire sent demands to Serbian government

� Serbia rejected demands.� With the help of Germany, Austro-

Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia; Germany declared war on Russia (ally of Serbia), and Great Britain declared war on Germany.

Central Powers versus the AlliesCentral Powers versus the Allies

Central PowersCentral Powers

German EmpireAustro-Hungarian Empire

Ottoman EmpireBulgaria

German EmpireAustro-Hungarian Empire

Ottoman EmpireBulgaria

Allied PowersAllied Powers

FranceBritish Empire

RussiaSerbia

BelgiumUnited States

FranceBritish Empire

RussiaSerbia

BelgiumUnited States

Had the U.S. been a part of European Affairs?

Had the U.S. been a part of European Affairs?

� The United States had isolated itself from participation in world affairs, with the exception of the Americas.

� The United States had isolated itself from participation in world affairs, with the exception of the Americas.

Reasons for United States Involvement in WWI

Reasons for United States Involvement in WWI

� Inability to remain neutral in face of increasing threats to United States’ national interests

� Inability to remain neutral; the U.S. had close economic and political ties to England

� Inability to remain neutral in face of increasing threats to United States’ national interests

� Inability to remain neutral; the U.S. had close economic and political ties to England

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� German Unrestricted Submarine Warfare� They would shoot at any ships without warning — a

violation of international law.� German submarine warfare (to prevent supplies

from reaching England): sinking of the Lusitania

� German Unrestricted Submarine Warfare� They would shoot at any ships without warning — a

violation of international law.� German submarine warfare (to prevent supplies

from reaching England): sinking of the Lusitania

Reasons for United States Entry into WWI

Reasons for United States Entry into WWI

� May, 1915: Lusitania left New York City for England. German embassy warned that travelers were taking a risk.

� Once the ship was close to Britain, a German U-boat (submarine) launched a torpedo attack, sinking the Lusitania.

� 128 Americans on board were killed. � President Wilson was angry but still kept the United States out of war. Re-

elected in 1916 with the slogan: “He kept us out of war.”

� May, 1915: Lusitania left New York City for England. German embassy warned that travelers were taking a risk.

� Once the ship was close to Britain, a German U-boat (submarine) launched a torpedo attack, sinking the Lusitania.

� 128 Americans on board were killed. � President Wilson was angry but still kept the United States out of war. Re-

elected in 1916 with the slogan: “He kept us out of war.”

Reasons for United States Entry into WWI

Reasons for United States Entry into WWI

� Interception of the Zimmerman Telegram

� The Zimmerman Telegram offered Mexico the land it lost to the U.S. during the Mexican War if Mexico would align itself with Germany in the event that the U.S. entered the War. This outraged Americans.

� April 1917: President Wilson declared war on Germany.

� Interception of the Zimmerman Telegram

� The Zimmerman Telegram offered Mexico the land it lost to the U.S. during the Mexican War if Mexico would align itself with Germany in the event that the U.S. entered the War. This outraged Americans.

� April 1917: President Wilson declared war on Germany.

In early 1917, British cryptographers were surprised when a encoded German transmission came across their desks. These experts were able to decipher the message, and in doing so changed history more than any other cryptographer, past or present.The Zimmerman telegram was a secret communication from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt. It contained an offer of US territory for Mexico, if it joined the German cause.Until that point, the United States had tried to remain neutral in World War I. However, the British and other allies were begging and pleading for help. Attitudes in the US were shifting towards war, and the telegram acted as a catalyst. The British capitalized on that attitude, and in a politically smart move, they showed the United States the telegram on February 24, 1917.The United States published the telegram, making the public aware of it on March 1. The public opinion quickly became a

definite pro-war. Congress officially

What occurred when American troops went to war?

What occurred when American troops went to war?

� President Woodrow Wilson provided leadership during the war, along with his commander, General John Pershing, who led the American Expeditionary Force of American soldiers, called doughboys, in Europe.

� President Woodrow Wilson provided leadership during the war, along with his commander, General John Pershing, who led the American Expeditionary Force of American soldiers, called doughboys, in Europe.

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General Pershing was able to stop the German offensive.

General Pershing was able to stop the German offensive.

The Germans requested an armistice, or an agreement to end the fighting.The Germans requested an armistice, or an agreement to end the fighting.

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