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Causes of WWI Before the War • Roots of WWI go back to the 1870s • Long term causes of the war: MAIN – Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism • German Empire created 1871 • Rapidly industrialized • Large army and navy • Alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary (controlled southeastern Europe) • Triple Alliance – Germany, AustriaHungary and Italy (changes sides) • Later becomes the Central Powers) Militarism and Alliance System • German army doubled from 1870-1914 • New Large navy threatened Great Britain • Created an arms race • • Russia feared Germany would invade to expand • Russia, France, and Great Britain unite against German threat and form the Triple Entente Imperialism • Large European nations carved up the world • Africa, Asia, and other parts of Europe • Austria-Hungary controlled majority of the Balkans • Annexed Bosnia in 1908 • Area of ethnic Serbians, Croats, Romanians • Resisted control by a powerful Empire • Pushed for independence and creation of their own nation • Russia supported the Serbs Nationalism • Feelings of intense pride in homeland • Germany wanted their “day in the sun” • 12 nationalities in AH alone • Inspired Balkan territories to want independence from imperialist AH and create their own nation • Yugoslavia • Leads to the immediate cause of the war • The Assassination of heir to the AH throne – Archduke Franz Ferdinand The Assassination • June 28 1914 • Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Bosnian capital of Sarajevo • Promoting Austro-Hungarian rule in the Balkan region • Bosnian Nationalist Gavarilo Princip assassinates the Archduke • Member of Serbian terrorist group • Against rule by the AH Empire • AH immediately declares ware on Serbia • Blamed them for the attack The War Begins • AH declares war on Serbia • Serbia backed by Russia • Russia backed by France and Great Britain • Russia mobilizes army on German border • August 1 1914 – Germany declares war on Russia • France declares war on Germany 2 days later • “The Great War” 1914-1918 • US stays neutral and doesn’t join until 1917 America Enters WWI The War Escalates • Triple Entente = Allies (Britain, France, Russia) • Central Powers = Germany, Austria Hungary • New weaponry creates a stalemate along the western front • Both sides forced to dig trenches • Neither side gains much ground • 2 million Russians die in 1914 alone • US practicing isolationism • Wilson declares US neutral • Public mostly supported Allies • Trade reasons • Gave $$ and supplies to Britain • Some banks lent $ to Germany The Lusitania • British began intercepting ships to blockade trade to Germany • Germany retaliated by stating it would sink any boat in British waters • Deployed submarines called U-boats • Stop shipment of food and supplies • May 1915 – British passenger ship Lusitania shot by German U-Boat • Killed 1200 passengers – 128 Americans • Angered Americans and many began to favor war Wilson Keeps US Out • Wilson demands German’s to stop unrestricted sub warfare • Sussex Pledge • Deal between the US and Germany • Germany would not attack ships • US avoids war • Helps Wilson win re-election in 1916 • “He kept us out of the war” Zimmerman Telegram • Arthur Zimmerman sent telegram to German ambassador in Mexico • If Mexico became a German ally, Germany would give all territories lost to the US ( Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) • Leaked to the public in 1917 • Americans realized war was necessary • Germany goes back to unrestricted sub warfare • Sank 6 American ships • US declares war in April 1917 • Wilson – “must make the world safe for democracy” The Home Front • US gov’t increased taxes and sold bonds to pay for the war • “Liberty bonds”- investments that are paid back later • Americans that didn’t serve could still play a part • 1 million women joined the workforce • Factories, shipyards, railroads • Great Migration • Thousands of African American’s left the South to work in the north • “Selling the War” • Committee on Public Information • Use propaganda to gain support for the war Building the Military • Only 300,000 soldiers • Selective Service Act • Required all men 21-30 to sign up for a draft • Randomly selected through a lottery • 2 million volunteered • Racism • African American’s forced to be cooks, laborers, and laundrymen