WORLD WAR I

America Takes the Lead?

BIG QUESTIONS??

How might people respond when they feel

threatened by others?

What conditions might justify US entry into

another country’s war?

How can a country help an ally fight a war?

What challenges do you think countries face

when discussing a peace plan?

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the

causes of WORLD WAR I

Trouble in Europe

Nationalism, feelings of intense loyalty to

one’s country was on the rise

Some groups who spoke the same language

wanted their own country

– Germany, Italy, etc…

Nations were competing for colonies in

Africa, Asia and other parts of the world

Germany, Russia and

Italy wanted to expand

European countries

were building up armies

Alliances were built

between countries

If one country in an

Alliance went to war, so

did others

Trouble in Europe

Causes of World War I -

M

A

I

N

ilitarism – policy of building up strong military forces to

prepare for war

lliances - agreements between nations to protect one

another (divided Europe into two teams)

ationalism – pride in or loyalty to one’s country

MAIN

mperialism – when a strong country takes over a weak

country (colonies)

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures

France 10%

Britain 13%

Russia 39%

Germany 73%

Causes of WWI - Militarism

1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1914

94 130 154 268 289 398

Total Defense Spending in millions of £s (British pounds).

World War I

Allied Powers: Central Powers: Great Britain

France

Russia

Germany

Austria-Hungary

Ottoman Empire Serbia

Belgium Bulgaria

Causes of WWI - Imperialism

Causes of WWI - Nationalism

BIG PROBLEM Europe has created so

many alliances, as is

competing for so much

that…

Even the tiniest spark

could cause war between

two countries

Because of alliances, war

between 2 countries will

turn into war between

many countries

The “Spark”

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at

Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28th, 1914.

First Major Event of WWI

• On June 28, 1914 - Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife

of Austria Hungary are visiting Bosnia

On June 28,

1914-

Austrian

Archduke

Franz

Ferdinand

was killed in

Bosnia by a

Serbian

nationalist

who believed

that Bosnia

should

belong to

Serbia.

Gavrilo Princip after

his assassination of

Austrian Archduke

Franz Ferdinand.

The Point of No Return:

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and

declared war on Serbia.

Germany pledged their support for Austria -

Hungary.

Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

The Point of No Return:

The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Germany declares war on Russia.

France pledges their support for Russia.

Germany declares war on France.

Germany invades Belgium on the way to France.

Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on

Germany.

Eastern Front

Western

Front

Europe on the Brink of War - 1914

What should President Wilson Do?

WSPWD!!!

President Woodrow Wilson has to decide

what the United States will do…

Should we stay isolationist?

Should we get involved?

Many Americans believe that it is

Europe’s war.

Isolationism: We should stay out of it

“Armed Neutrality”: remain neutral but

ready to defend ourselves