Unit 9: World War I

OHS History Team

Learning Objectives

• Explain the causes of World War I

• Explain the reasons for the initial declaration of U.S. neutrality

• Explain the reasons for American entry into World War I

• Identify and explain the impact of World War I

Big Concepts• European nations imperialist ambitions fueled military build ups and a rise

in nationalism (devotion to country)

• The assassination of the future leader of a Austria Hungary (a large European empire) sparked war in Europe.

• Many European had protective alliances with each which dragged most of Europe into a large scale war.

• New technologies forced the war to be fought in protective trenches

• Under Woodrow Wilson the United States stays out of the conflict.

• German aggression and America’s strong economic ties to Britain and France eventually force the United States into the war in 1917.

• By 1918 the allies with the assistance of the United States win the war

Key Vocabulary

• Yellow = Must Copy

• Green = Copy if timer permits

MAIN causes of World War I

• Militarism = European nations built large armies to protect themselves.

• Alliances = European nations signed defensive alliances with one another in case of attack

• Imperialism = European built vast empires to fuel their economies

• Nationalism = European citizens begin to identify and support strongly with their nations and ethnic identities. (BALKANS)

Unstable Balkans

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

• Ferdinand was the future leader of a large empire – Austria-Hungary

• Killed by Gavrilo Princip who wanted the empire to free his people

• Austria-Hungary declares war on neighbor Serbia, who assisted the assassins.

• This triggered a World War

• June 1914

New Weapons and Technology

• World War I is first “industrialized” war

• New weapons used

• MACHINE GUNS

• TANKS

• AIRPLANES

• POISON GAS

• LONG RANGE ARTILLERY

Trench Warfare

• New weapons force soldiers to dig trenches

• WW1 becomes a trench war

• Both sides launched attacks to break others defenses

• Millions killed

American Neutrality

• President Wilson kept USA out of war

• Reasons?

• 1. USA Melting pot many Americans had family / connections to countries fighting

• 2. The war is very destructive

• 3. America wishes to sell supplies to both sides

Reasons USA joins war

• German Submarines

• Wilson’s desire to defend European democracies (MORAL DIPLOMACY)

• The Zimmerman Telegram

• USA trades far more with Britain and France than with Germany

German U-Boats

• New German Weapon

• Submarine

• Sinks ships bringing people and supplies to England and France

• “UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE”

Zimmerman Telegram

• German message to Mexico

• Hoping for an alliance in case USA declares war

• Britain intercepts message and gives to United States

April 6, 1917

• Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany

• Three years after war started

John J. Pershing

• Leader of American military forces sent to Europe

• American Expeditionary Force

• “Dough Boys”

• 2 million American soldiers

• Fight on the WESTERN FRONT

• TURN TIDE OF THE WAR AGAINST GERMANY

Harlem Hell Fighters

• Most decorated American fighting unit

• All African American fighting force from New York City

Alvin York

• Tennessean

• Most decorated American war hero

• Killed 25 German soldiers and captured 132

Herbert Hoover

• Future president

• Ran the American Relief Administration

• Provided food and supplies to destroyed European nations

Timeline Chronology

1914 – Franz Ferdinand killedWorld War I starts

1914 – President Wilson declares American neutrality

1917 – Russian Revolution leaves WW1

1915 – Lusitania Sunk by German U-Boat

1917 – Zimmerman Telegram

1917 – USA Declares war on Germany

1918 – American troops arrive in Europe

Continuity And Change