Download Chapter 7 Lesson 1

Discussion
 If the United States were attacked today,
what countries would come to our
defense?
Discussion
 Why do countries ally themselves
militarily with others?
For security, or to have greater military
strength with which to attack
Discussion
 How do you think other countries would
help the United States if it were
attacked?
Other nations could join in a counterattack
on the enemy, protect U.S. citizens living
abroad, or use intelligence services to track
down enemy agents.
Discussion
 Why might an alliance relationship
between two countries end?
Conflict over economic or political issues
Militarism and Alliances
 Militarism and Nationalism European nations focused
increasingly on military power. Nationalist feelings rose
during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as
Germany and Italy each formed cohesive states.
 Triple Alliance and Franco-Russian Alliance The new
Germany formed the Triple Alliance with Italy and AustriaHungary. Russian leaders, fearing German expansion and
Austria-Hungary’s domination in southeastern Europe,
signed the Franco-Russian Alliance. This set off an arms
race.
 The Triple Entente The British established closer relations
with France and Russia. Britain, France, and Russia
became known as the Triple Entente.
Discussion
 Why did European nations form alliances
during this time period?
Nations wished to protect their borders and
solidify their power. They formed alliances to
help secure themselves against attack and
protect their own interests.
Discussion
 How did international alliances help
create tensions in Europe?
The alliances set certain nations against the
others, and reinforced the growing emphasis
on militarism and nationalism.
European Imperialism
 European Empires European nations had developed farflung empires. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman
Empire, for example, controlled much of southeastern
Europe.
 Rising National Feeling Nationalist feelings arose among
people under these empires. The Balkans in particular saw
a sharp increase in nationalist feelings.
 Serbian Nationalism Of the Balkan peoples, the Serbs
were the first to form a nation, Serbia. Their nation’s
mission was to unite the South Slavs. Russia supported
the Serbs, and Austria-Hungary tried to limit Serbia’s
growth.
Discussion
 Why would nationalists oppose the idea
of imperialism?
Nationalists were united by heritage and
culture, but imperialists forced people of
varying backgrounds to live under the
control of one power.
European Powers
 Most of the European powers at that time
had colonies in Africa and Asia. Many of the
natural resources that Europe needed to
maintain their industries came from those
areas.
 The United States became an imperialist
power at the same time that European
nations were gaining power.
War Begins
 Franz Ferdinand The assassination of Austrian archduke Franz
Ferdinand by a Slavic nationalist in Sarajevo was the flashpoint that
ignited European tensions to begin World War I.
 Alliances Activate Austria-Hungary turned to Germany for support
against Serbia. Serbia turned to Russia and Russia turned to its ally,
France.
 Declarations of War On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary officially
declared war on Serbia. Soon after, Germany declared war on Russia
and France. Great Britain declared war on Germany after German
forces entered neutral Belgium.
 Allies and Central Powers The Allies included Britain, France, Russia,
and Italy. The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the
Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
Discussion
 Why might the war in Europe have
mattered to the United States?
The United States had economic and
cultural ties to European nations, especially
Britain. They may also note that the
domination of one or two strong imperial
powers throughout Europe could have
endangered rising U.S. global influence.
Moving Towards War
 Neutrality had eroded due to a series of events
 British blockaded German ports forcing merchant
ships sailing to Europe to land at British ports to
be inspected for Contraband
 Contraband- Goods prohibited from shipment to
Germany and its allies.
 This angered Germans and in February of 1915
German announce they will use submarines called
U-boats to sink any ship found around British
waters.
Moving Towards War
 May 7, 1915, British passenger ship called the
Lusitaninia is sunk by German U-Boats.
 128 Americans were on the ship so Americans
attitudes towards the war changes.
 Americans no longer want to stay neutral.
 Pres. Wilson tried to diffuse the incident, but the
next February a UBoat sunk a French passenger
ship.
 Wilson gives one last warning to Germany to stop
 Germany agrees to stop sinking ship to avoid war
with the U.S.
Moving Towards War
 February of 1917, despite agreeing to not
use UBoats to sink ships, Germany resumes
unrestricted submarine warfare and they
sink 6 American ships.
 April 2, 1917, Pres. Wilson asks congress to
declare war on Germany.