The United States in World War I1914-1920

•Copy into your notes:•When World War I began in 1914, the United States declared its neutrality. However, soon the U.S. began to side with the Allies, and in 1917 the U.S. was drawn into the war.

Do Now•On a ½ sheet of paper, list the causes of World War I.

The Main Causes of World War I

•Militarism

•Since the late 1800s, the major European powers had been increasing their armies and navies

•England and Germany were in a naval arms race (building more and larger ships to control the seas)

The Main Causes of World War I

•Alliances•European countries had been forming secret alliances since the early 1900sCentral

Powers:Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire

Allied Powers:Russia, France, Great Britain

The Main Causes of World War I

•Imperialism

• Imperialism among the major European nations led to competition that increased militarism and nationalism.

The Main Causes of World War I

•Nationalism•A rise in nationalism was caused by imperialism among the strong European nations

•And by a desire for independence among groups within empires

The Immediate Cause of World War I

•Assassination of Austria-Hungary Archduke Franz Ferdinand

• June 1914

•Killed by Yugoslavian nationalist Gavrilo Princip

•Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia as a result in July 1914

The Outbreak of War 1914

•The declaration of war led to the unraveling of secret alliances

• Germany sided with Austria-Hungary

• Russia sided with Serbia

• Soon, all of Europe was engulfed in war

The War in 1914•World War I was the deadliest war in history up to this point•New technology and old tactics led to hundreds of thousands of deaths•Soon, the war evolved into a stalemate fought in the trenches

1st Battle of the Marne, 1914September 6th-12thGermany losses: 250,000French losses: 250,000

The United States Declares Neutrality

•President Wilson declared U.S. neutrality at the outset of the war

• Followed the tradition of not involving the U.S in European affairs

•Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)•Monroe Doctrine (1823)

•Many Americans did not think the war would have any impact on the U.S.

“The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls.”--President Woodrow Wilson, 1914

Closing: 1. In your opinion, explain what you think was the most important cause of World War I.

2. Explain 2 reasons why the United States declared its neutrality at the beginning of World War I.