Download NAME_______________________________PER____Mr

NAME__________________________PER____Mr. Lua U.S. History Y-4
NO # 19 From Isolation To War
I. 4 Causes of WWI
Checkpoint Ia
What countries were involved
with the ALLIED POWER Alliance?
Checkpoint Ib
What countries were involved
with the CENTRAL POWER
Alliance?
Checkpoint Ic
Simply list the four major causes that
led to World War One.
A) Background: In the years prior to WWI, competition between European countries had been building.
1. The following terms describe four areas that European countries attempted to outdo other European
countries.
B) Militarism: when a country increases spending to expand its military
1. Leading European countries felt militarism would lead to better:

protection of their overseas colonies (places they had “imperialized”)

preparation for a potential war (which was increasingly becoming more likely)

diplomacy (bargaining) with weaker countries.
2. Importance: militarism led to a worldwide competition

A massive military buildup race between Germany, France, Britain, Japan, U.S., etc.

By 1900, Germany had Europe’s strongest land army & 2 nd most powerful navy.
C) Birth of an Alliance System
1. Leading European Countries formed “alliances” & promised to aid each other if attacked.
2. Two major military “alliances” formed:

“Allied Powers” (Led by France, Britain, Italy, and Russia—although Russia will drop out in 1917)
 U.S. will eventually help this alliance

“Central Powers” (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire)
3. Importance:

Alliance system made the world more volatile (uncertain) as each country promised to defend its partners
(even if for stupid or pointless reasons).
D) European Imperialism Caused massive competition
1. European countries had already been competing for colonies in Africa & Asia

Boundary disputes, competition for natural resources, and competition for selling products were major
sources of conflict.

Germany was the youngest “industrialized” country and was most eager to “imperialize” and gain
colonies.
2. 1870’s: Germany showed its eagerness to become a major imperialist country by starting a mini war against
France.

Result: Germany was victorious & snatched land from France (region known as “Alsace-Lorraine”)

Many of the older industrialized nations (Britain & France) became threatened by Germany’s success and
imperialist growth.
D) Nationalism—having an intense love & devotion to your country or culture.
1. Sometimes led:

Leaders of counties to make decisions that greatly benefit their country EVEN IF it is not what is best for
the international community.

Smaller countries to shake-off or get rid of the imperialist country that had been dominating them.
2. By 1900, nationalism caused many older European countries to compete for prestige & superiority.
 Many younger European countries desired the same status.
 Germany had united all Germany speaking people into one nation!
II. Assassination That Sparked A War
A) Prince from Austria (Archduke Franz Ferdinand) was assassinated by a Serbian organization (which was upset at
the way Austria controlled Serbia)
1. Austria-Hungary eventually declared war on Serbia.
2. Importance: The “Alliance System” immediately activated as Germany aided Austria-Hungary and Russia &
Britain aided Serbia.
B) By 1914, most of Europe was involved in WWI.
III. 1914-1917: U.S. Remained Neutral
Checkpoint III
What was the Neutrality
Proclamation?
A) “Neutrality Proclamation.” Created by President Wilson to officially announce that the U.S. would:
1. Not join either European Alliance or take sides.
2. Continue to sell products to any nation at war.
3. Request that other nations respect the “freedom of the seas”
 ability to send boats anywhere in the world without being harmed
B) Importance: Neutrality Proclamation reflected what million of Americans were feeling:
1. “This is a European war 3,000 miles away, let’s not get involved”
2. It should be considered an attempt by the U.S. NOT to get involved.
IV. Was U.S. Totally Neutral?: No!
Checkpoint IVa.
Briefly list 3-4 ways that the U.S.
favored the Allied troops instead of
the Central Powers.
Heavily favored “Allied Powers” Alliance
A) Most Americans had an emotional connection to the Allied Power countries
1. To the French—France helped us during our Revolutionary War in late 1700’s.
2. To the British—American culture has always been deeply influenced by British heritage,
language, and political ideas.
B) British “propaganda” influenced U.S. public opinion
1. At one point, Britain cut a trans-Atlantic information cable, then influenced the kinds of news
Americans were getting from Europe.
2. Most only heard British news, which focused on German war atrocities.
3. Example: One story reported Germany as using corpses for fertilizer & soap.
C) Americans had strong business links to countries of the “Allied Powers”
1. Americans owned more companies & property there
2. Example: In 1914, U.S. sales to:
 Allied Powers = $824,860,237 worth of products
 Central Powers = only $169,289,755
3. Example: By 1917, U.S. banks had loaned:
 $2.3 BILLION to the Allied Powers
 $27 Million to the Central Powers
V. Specific Events Pushed The U.S. Into War
Checkpoint Va.
During war, do you think it is
acceptable for countries to destroy
non-military boats that are heading
to enemy countries? Explain.
Checkpoint Vb.
What were the effects of the sinking
of the Lusitania?
Checkpoint Vc.
In your own words, summarize the
Zimmerman Telegram incident
Checkpoint Vd.
List 3-5 things that pushed the U.S. to
declare war on Germany
A) Britain’s Naval Blockade limited “freedom of the seas”
1. Tried to cripple Germany by surrounding its coast, then inspecting all ships.
2. War supplies & food (sometimes) were not allowed to reach Germany.
B) “Unrestricted Submarine Warfare” was Germany’s response to British Blockade
1. Germany gave a fair warning to the world: From this point forward, U-boats (submarines) would
be used to sink any ship headed toward Britain (without warning).
 This, like the British Blockade, threatened Wilson’s hope for having “freedom of the seas”
 This strategy violated the old and internationally accepted rule that, before sinking a ship, an
attacker must first give a warning and allow for the crew’s safe exit.
2. The German point of view:
 Modern war and new technology has made that old rule pointless.
 Giving a warning would take away the advantage of using a U-boat surprise attack.
C) The Lusitania (1915) & Sussex (1916) Incidents
1. German U-boats torpedoed & destroyed both of these non-military boats on the suspicion that
they were carrying weapons to Britain.
2. About the Lusitania Incident:
 Despite Germany’s one-time warning, Lusitania attempted to reach Britain
 Passengers were convinced that it was “too fast for any German submarine”
 It sank 18 minutes after it was torpedoed!
 1,200 died (128 Americans)
 Germany was correct! Lusitania was carrying 4,200 cases of arms cartridges & was instructed
to ram all subs.
 Americans were outraged, but did not declare war because of Germany’s Sussex Pledge
3. Sussex Pledge was a promise stop using “unrestricted submarine warfare” and be more cautious
before destroying civilian boats.
D) Zimmerman Telegram (or Note)
1. Germany was aware of the bad relationship between U.S. & Mexico (invasion of Mexico to hunt
for Pancho Villa, U.S. interference with Mexico’s leadership, etc).
2. Germany made a secret offer to Mexico:
 If the U.S. enters the war, distract them by invading the southern borders.
 Your reward: all lands taken from you during the 1848 Mexican-American War will be
returned to you (Texas, California, etc).
3. U.S. newspapers intercepted this Telegram & published it.
E) 1917: Congress declared war on Germany, but only after:Germany broke its Sussex Pledge & continued
“unrestricted U-Boat warfare” against civilian ships.