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Review

Causes of WWI

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Causes of World War

Underlying Causes

1. What Causes Most Wars

a.  Extreme Nationalism (“Super Patriotism” or love for one’s country)

b. Imperialism: Spreading the political or economic control of one country over another

c. Militarism: using force or the threat of force against another nation d.  Entangled system of alliances (secret)

e. Fanatical leaders

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Causes of World War

2. Rival Alliances Created a “False Sense of Security” a. Triple Entente

i.  Great Britain: King George V ii.  France: Premier Clemenceau iii.  Russia: Czar Nicholas II

b. Triple Alliance

i.  Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm II ii.  Austria-Hungary: Emanuel II

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Causes of World War I

3. What Caused World War I a.  Unrest in the Balkans

Bosnians felt abused under the rule of Austria-Hungary Goal: To create a “Greater Serbia” (unite Slavic people) This movement was strongly supported by “Mother Russia

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Causes of World War I

b.  June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria’s heir to the throne) was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb Nationalist while on a good will trip to Sarajevo, Bosnia. This spark would ignite the war.

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Causes of World War I

.  Alliance Unfolded:

i.  Austria declared war on Serbia

ii. Russia supported Serbia (mother country w/ethnic ties) iii. Germany sided w/Austria & declared war on Russia

iv. France was obligated to help Russia & Great Britain to help France v.  By August 5, 1914, Europe was engulfed in war!

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Causes of America’s entrance into WWI

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Neutrality

  • In the beginning the United States wanted to remain neutral.
  • Wilson issues declaration of neutrality in 1914.
  • Neutrality: the state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.; impartiality.

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Neutrality

  • Why did Wilson not want the U.S. to be involved in the war?

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What pulled America into the War

  • Unrestricted submarine warfare
  • The sinking of the Lusitania
  • Sussex Pledge is broken
  • The Zimmerman Telegram

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Unrestricted Submarine (u-boat) warfare

  • Germany would begin sinking ships without warning
    • In the Atlantic, around Britain

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Captured German U-boat in a British dry dock

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The Sinking of the Lusitania

  • British passenger liner that set sail from New York carrying American citizens.
  • It was sunk without warning on May 7, 1915 off the coast of Ireland

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The Sinking of the Lusitania

  • Over 1,100 died; 120+ were US citizens

  • Germans claimed the Lusitania was carrying contraband (war materials: guns, ammunition…)
    • They were right!

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The Sinking of the Lusitania

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United States Navy War Propaganda Poster

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RESULT of the Sinking of the Lusitania

  • Germany, despite promises, sunk another ship – The Sussex, killing 2 Americans

  • President Wilson protested and Germany issued the Sussex Pledge
    • passenger ships won’t be targeted
    • Merchant ships wont be either, unless presence of weapons is established

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Sussex Pledge

  • The Sussex Pledge broken: February 1, 1917 Germany continued unrestricted submarine warfare

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Zimmermann Telegram

  • March 1917 The Zimmermann telegram released
  • If the U.S. entered War against Central Powers, Mexico should attack the U.S. and receive as a reward: Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

  • How do you think Americans felt about this?

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Zimmermann Telegram

  • Why would Germany want the U.S. to remain neutral?

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Video - Zimmerman Note

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Zimmermann Telegram

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America Declares War

  • April 2, 1917
    • President Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war
  • April 6, 1917 Congress declares war!!

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