World War IThe War To End All Wars:

Europe Picks Sides

1871: Prussia unites Germany into one state Took some land from France

Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

Triple Entente: France, Britain, and Russia

Militarism: build-up to intimidate/threaten

1900: Germany is Europe’s strongest nation

“Till the world comes to an end, the ultimate decision will rest with the sword”

European Colonies in East Asia

Europe Colonizes Africa

Europe Breaks Down: Summer of 1914 Nationalism vs. Imperialism Serbians rise against Ottoman Empire for

independence, Russia helps Austrians don’t want their Slavs getting ideas

from Serbians, block Serbian action June 28, 1914: Bosnian terrorist group, The

Black Hand, assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand (future Austrian king)

Serbia rejects Austria-Hungary’s peace offer, due to ridiculous terms/demands

With Germany’s “full support” Austria-Hungary attacks Serbia on July 28

Conflict Grows

Russia had prepared for war with Austria-Hungary and Germany, so it mobilizes for war with both, Germany declares war

Germany’s Schlieffen Plan calls for war with Russia, and France—first hold Russians, then invade France, with control of France, then get Russia—August 3

Aug 4: Britain declares war on Germany bringing all the great European pwrs to war

The Great War

Italy turns back on Germany, joins with France, Britain, and Russia; forms Allied Pwrs

Germany & Aust.-Hun. join with Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria; form Central Powers

Fighting in France (Western Front) does not move, trench warfare

The United States remains neutral Debate about war preparations begin

America picks sides

Most Americans favor British side of war British use propaganda to build favor

U.S. companies/banks support Allies British blockade Germany ports

German U-boats sink merchant ships bound for Britain, including American ships

May 7, 1915: Germany sinks the Lusitania Over 1,000 deaths, 128 Americans dead Germany promises to stop torpedoing

ships

America at War

January 1917: German Arthur Zimmermann sends telegram to Mexico, promising all lost territory if it attacked U.S.A. British intercept the telegram, tell

Americans February 1917: German U-boats start

sinking ships again (including 6 American ships)

April 1917: Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany