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Outline
I. Introduction
A. Quote
B. Question: What events caused the world to go to war? Why did the United States
become involved?
II. Body
A. Nationalism and Imperialism
B. Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
C. The United States and the War
1. Neutrality
2. Trade
3. U-boats
III. Conclusion
A. Mention most important points
B. Answer question
IV. Bibliography
Introduction
On the day of April 2, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson went before Congress asking for
a declaration of war.
It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful nation into war, into the most terrible and
disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in balance. But the right is more
precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we carry nearest our hearts, -for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own
government, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right
by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make
the world itself at last free.
(Divine, Breen, Fredrickson, and Williams 703).
Nationalism along with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand may have
pushed foreign countries to war, while the United States entered the war for yet other
reasons. What events caused the world to go to war? Why did the United States become
involved?
World War 1: Reasons behind the War and United States involvement
Nationalism and Imperialism
Major factors causing tensions in Europe, before World War 1, were the feelings of
loyalty to one's country (Nationalism). Nationalistic feelings resulted in the idea that
people of the same ethnic origin, language, and political ideas had the right to
independent states. These ideas allowed Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania, and
Albania to gain their independence ( World Book Encyclopedia 243). Though they had
independence they did not have peace. All the countries were quarreling with their
neighbors over boundaries. Nationalism strengthened many countries, but did not
strengthen the countries of Austria - Hungary, Russia, And Ottoman Turkey. This was
due to the fact that these empires ruled many national groups that wanted independence.
The idea of nationalism was still a problem in other parts of Europe and caused many
tensions. The tension was illustrated in the countries ability to turn small disputes into
major issues ( ' The First World war: Cause and Course' 242 ) Nationalism allowed
people to gain a sense of pride. This pride convinced many people to vote, which lead to
the very powerful parliamentary governments. Nationalism encouraged support for
military build-up and a countries use of force to achieve it's goals. This lead to the
expansion of military might near the borders of most countries. After a visit to Europe,
Colonel Edward M. House reported to President Wilson, ' It is jingoism [extreme
nationalism] run stark mad ... There is too much hatred too many jealousies ' ( Divine,
Breen, Fredrickson, and Williams 698). These strong feelings of hatred and jealousy
were not only caused by nationalism, but also by imperialism.
Imperialism is the ' policy or practice of forming and maintaining an empire in seeking to
control raw materials and world markets by the conquest of other countries and the
establishment of other countries ' (' World War 1 ' Encarta). Before the breakout of
World War 1 there was a strong rivalry between France, Great Britain, and Germany over
Africa. This rivalry and the different ideas of colonial expansion caused tensions between
these countries. They all wanted to have land and power in Africa, but they could not
have everything. This caused many tensions. The underlying cause of World War 1 was
due to the many feelings of nationalism and imperialism, while the direct cause was the
assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand.
Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
The beginning of World War 1 was the direct result of the assassination of Archduke
Francis Ferdinand. On June 28, 1914 Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, the Duchess,
were participating in a parade. As he was coming down the street , someone in the crowd
threw a hand grenade at his car. Luckily, the grenade missed, and only the spectators had
slight injuries. After the parade, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were ready to go
home. Their route home took them back by where the grenade was thrown. At the sight
of the accident, the chauffeur slowed the vehicle. That is when a poorly dressed young
man ran out, past soldiers and escorts, and pulled a Browning automatic pistol from his
pocket. He shot all the bullets at the Archduke and Duchess. They both fell dead at the
scene. The assassin was quickly seized by soldiers. The assassin was eighteen-year old
Serbian student, Gavrilo Princip. He had hoped that by this drastic act Serbia would be
liberated from Austria . This did not occur, and he was instead given the blame for
starting World War 1 (Leckie 7). Austria- Hungary, home of Archduke Ferdinand,
believed that Serbia's government was behind the assassination, because many Bosnian's
regarded Archduke Ferdinand of the hated Austrian tyranny which had torn them from
their mother country, Serbia. The country of Austria- Hungary was, so angered by the
assassination that they declared war that very same day, June 28.
The United States and World War 1
Other countries quickly became involved. France, Britain, and Russia, known as the
Allies, backed Serbia. The only country that backed Austria- Hungary was Germany, and
together they formed the Central Powers. The United States chose neither side, and
instead chose neutrality. The people of America accepted neutrality, because they resisted
involvement in the problems of other countries. President Woodrow Wilson had many
strong feelings about the war. He once said, ' Only a peace between equals can last, only
a peace, the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common
benefit ' ( Commager 11). The Allies and Central Powers tried to sway United States
opinion, but the Americans still preferred to remain neutral. Many people in the United
States thought that, with all the immigrants in America that neutrality offered benefits
from a domestic point of view and from the viewpoint of foreign policy. The feelings for
neutrality in America were very strong. The Progressives fought to keep the United States
out of war. They formed groups against war including the American Union Against
Militarism and the Women's Peace Party to get women against the war. The United States
as a whole was very happy with the concept of neutrality.
Though the United States was happy with neutrality, it did not come easily. The United
States had many demands of trade that tested their neutrality. International law states that
neutral countries were permitted to trade in nonmilitary goods with all belligerent
countries. Sometimes Great Britain did not obey the law. They controlled the seas, and
intended to cut off shipments of war materials to the Central Powers. They did this by
stopping American ships and confiscating cargoes. The British also forced the United
States to carry cargoes to neutral ports. At these ports they would be inspected, and after
this could be carried to Germany. Britain was very intelligent by pursuing a careful
strategy to disrupt German- American trade without disrupting Anglo- American
relations. They also kept on good terms with the United States by promising to reimburse
United States business after the wars end. Loans and trade drew the United States ever
closer to World War 1 , and the Allied cause.
There were other reasons, besides trade, that drew the United States closer to the Allied
cause. Germany built and used a new type of submarine that strained the guidelines
international law. The law stated that a submarine must show itself and warn the ships,
before sinking them. The Germans were not obeying this international law. In February
1916, Germany declared unrestricted submarine warfare against all armed ships. The
United States was very angered by this. The United States was further enraged when
German U- boats sank several United States cargo ships. Bryan, secretary of state, was
worried about the safety of Americans traveling to Europe. He urged President Wilson to
forbid Americans to travel on the war zones, but the President, determined to stand by the
principles of international law, refused. Wilson found the actions taken by the Germans
very wrong and inappropriate. He called the sinking of merchant ships without checking
cargo ' a wanton act '( ' The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly ' 71). There were many other
actions taken by the Germans that angered the United States. Germany violated a treaty
with France. Many Americans resented the violation, and liked it even less when German
troops executed Belgian Civilians who resisted. At the deepest level a majority in the
United States, bound by a common language and institutions, sympathized with the Allies
and blamed Germany for the war. President Wilson knew that the United States could no
longer remain neutral.
The United States enters World War 1
The United States was angered with Germany. The United States knew they could no
longer remain neutral when President Wilson found out that Germany was trying to get
Mexico to go to war with the United States. This made President Wilson angry. He knew
' Everything I love most in this world is at stake '( Divine, Breen, Fredrickson, and
Williams 698). On April 2, 1917 President Wilson went before Congress and asked for a
declaration of war. Congress debated and then decided that President Wilson was right.
On April 6, 1917 Congress declared war on Germany, and in doing so joined the Allied
Powers. The United States entered World War1 unprepared for battle. The United States
was very enthusiastic about going to war. This letter shows how enthusiastic the wives
were about their husband going to war.
Dear U.S.
He can't wrote.
My husband ast for me to rote for him a recoment that he supports his family - he ant
done nothing but drink lemon essence and play the fiddle since I married him 8 years ago
- and I gotta feed seven kids of hisn. Take him away and welcome, for I need the grub
and his bed for the kids. May bee you can get him to cary a gun for he s good on squirrels
and eating.
Don't tell him, but take him.
Name Withheld
( ' The Call to Greater Duty ' 101-102)
The United States for the second time in its history had to hold a national draft. There
were also very strict war- time laws. These laws could bring people to trial for making
statements that might harm the progress of war. The United States involvement in World
War 1 changed the outcome of the war.
Conclusion
The First World War was fought for reasons that were not obvious to many
people. The people of countries not involved in the war could not see all the feelings.
These countries had many strong feelings of nationalism and a strong desire for
imperialism. The people were so loyal that they felt their country should be the strongest
in the world, no matter what it takes. They also had strong feelings about colonization in
Africa. Each had their own ideas of colonial expansion. These ideas often clashed
causing many disputes. The most apparent cause of world War 1 was the assassination of
Archduke Francis Ferdinand and the duchess. The Archduke was representing AustriaHungary, when killed by an eighteen year-old Serbian student. He had hoped that his
drastic action would free Serbia from Austria- Hungary. This caused the government of
Austria- Hungary to blame the government of Serbia. They felt no choice, but to declare
war. On June 28, 1914 Austria- Hungary declared war on Serbia. When war was declared
many other countries quickly joined in. The United States, instead of joining the war,
declared neutrality. The United States remained neutral for three years. Their neutrality
during those years was tested on many occasions. The Germans posed the most threat
with the sinking of cargo ships without checking cargo. The United States finally decided
they could no longer be pushed around by Germany and declared war on April 6, 1917.
The United States was not ready for war. Though many men wanted to fight, they had to
hold their second national draft in United States history. The First World War was a war
that changed the world, as did the events that caused the war.
Bibliography
' The Call to Greater Duty. ' American Heritage Feb. 1974:101-102
Commager, Henry Steele ed. The American Destiny: Making the World Safe
for Democracy, Volume 12. London: Orbis Book Publishing Corporation Ltd, 1986
' The First World War: Cause and Course. ' Historical Journal
' The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. ' Military Review 1994: 69-72
Leckie, Robert. The Story of World War 1 Random House: New York City,
NY: 1965
' World War 1 ' Encarta. 1997 ed.
' World War 1 ' World Book Encyclopedia. 1996 ed.
Keywords:
outline introduction quote question what events caused world united states become
involved body nationalism imperialism assassination archduke francis ferdinand united
states neutrality trade boats conclusion mention most important points answer question
bibliography introduction april president woodrow wilson went before congress asking
declaration fearful thing lead this great peaceful nation into into most terrible disastrous
wars civilization itself seeming balance right more precious than peace shall fight things
which carry nearest hearts democracy right those submit authority have voice their
government rights liberties small nations universal dominion right such concert free
peoples shall bring peace safety nations make world itself last free divine breen
fredrickson williams nationalism along with assassination archduke francis ferdinand
have pushed foreign countries while united states entered other reasons what events
caused world become involved reasons behind involvement nationalism imperialism
major factors causing tensions europe before were feelings loyalty country nationalistic
feelings resulted idea that people same ethnic origin language political ideas independent
these ideas allowed greece montenegro serbia romania albania gain their independence
book encyclopedia though they independence they have peace countries were quarreling
with their neighbors over boundaries strengthened many countries strengthen austria
hungary russia ottoman turkey this fact that these empires ruled many national groups
that wanted independence idea still problem other parts europe caused many tensions
tension illustrated ability turn small disputes into major issues first cause course allowed
people gain sense pride this pride convinced people vote which lead very powerful
parliamentary governments encouraged support military build force achieve goals lead
expansion military might near borders most after visit europe colonel edward house
reported president wilson jingoism extreme stark there much hatred jealousies divine
breen fredrickson williams these strong feelings hatred jealousy were only also
imperialism policy practice forming maintaining empire seeking control materials
markets conquest other establishment encarta before breakout there strong rivalry
between france great britain germany over africa rivalry different ideas colonial
expansion tensions between they wanted land power africa could everything underlying
cause while direct cause assassination archduke francis ferdinand beginning direct result
june wife duchess participating parade coming down street someone crowd threw hand
grenade luckily grenade missed only spectators slight injuries after parade wife ready
home route home took them back where grenade thrown sight accident chauffeur slowed
vehicle when poorly dressed young past soldiers escorts pulled browning automatic pistol
from pocket shot bullets duchess both fell dead scene assassin quickly seized soldiers
assassin eighteen year serbian student gavrilo princip hoped drastic serbia would
liberated from austria occur instead given blame starting leckie austria hungary home
believed serbia government behind because bosnian regarded hated austrian tyranny
which torn them from mother country country hungary angered declared very same june
quickly became involved france britain russia known allies backed only backed germany
together formed central powers chose neither side instead chose neutrality america
accepted neutrality because resisted involvement problems president woodrow wilson
strong about once said between equals last very principle equality common participation
common benefit commager allies central powers tried sway opinion americans still
preferred remain neutral thought with immigrants america offered benefits domestic point
view viewpoint foreign policy america progressives fought keep formed groups against
including american union against militarism women party women against whole happy
concept though happy come easily demands trade tested international neutral permitted
trade nonmilitary goods belligerent sometimes great britain obey controlled seas intended
shipments materials central powers stopping american ships confiscating cargoes british
also forced carry cargoes neutral ports ports would inspected after could carried germany
intelligent pursuing careful strategy disrupt german american without disrupting anglo
relations also kept good terms promising reimburse business wars loans drew ever closer
allied there reasons besides drew closer allied built used type submarine strained
guidelines international stated submarine must show itself warn ships sinking them
germans obeying international february declared unrestricted submarine warfare armed
ships angered further enraged when german boats sank several cargo bryan secretary state
worried about safety americans traveling urged forbid americans travel zones determined
stand principles refused found actions taken germans wrong inappropriate called sinking
merchant without checking cargo wanton good ugly actions taken germans angered
violated treaty france resented violation liked even less when german troops executed
belgian civilians resisted deepest level majority bound common language institutions
sympathized allies blamed knew could longer remain enters knew longer remain found
trying mexico made angry knew everything love stake divine breen fredrickson williams
april went congress asked declaration congress debated then decided april declared doing
joined allied entered unprepared battle enthusiastic about going letter shows enthusiastic
wives husband going dear wrote husband rote recoment supports family done nothing
drink lemon essence play fiddle since married years gotta feed seven kids hisn take away
welcome need grub kids cary good squirrels eating tell take name withheld call greater
duty second time history hold national draft strict time laws laws bring trial making
statements might harm progress involvement changed outcome conclusion first fought
obvious desire loyal felt should strongest matter what takes colonization africa each
colonial expansion often clashed causing disputes apparent duchess representing killed
eighteen year serbian student hoped drastic action would free government blame felt
choice declare june quickly joined instead joining remained three years during those
years tested occasions posed threat sinking cargo without checking finally decided longer
pushed around ready though wanted fight hold second national draft history first changed
events bibliography call greater duty heritage commager henry steele destiny making safe
democracy volume london orbis book publishing corporation course historical journal
ugly military review leckie robert story random house york city encarta book
encyclopedia
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