World War I

What was WWI?

• The First World War / The Great War / The War to End all Wars

• (European) Global conflict, 1914-1918• 60 million soldiers mobilized, 40 million

casualties, 20 million civilian & military deaths

• Causes? (balance of power)

Imperialism

Similar to the efforts of the US to acquire new land and territories just before the dawn of the 20th Century,

Europeans had engaged in imperialism for centuries. On the eve of the outbreak of WWI, much of the

world was under the control or influence of one of the few major

European powers.

European Imperialism in Africa on the Eve of World War I

European Imperialism in Asia on the Eve of World War I

Militarism

• As a product of Imperialism?

• Due to imperialistic and nationalistic tensions - military spending in Europe increased 300 % between 1870 and 1914.

• Some nations gave their military officers a role and strong influence in government.

• Economic downturn – how can militarism be seen as a positive?

Militarism in practice…a naval arms race

• 1898 - Germany began to increase the size of its navy.

• British national policy called for British superiority and defense of the seas.

• 1900-1914 Germany tripled its naval spending.

• Britain responded with increased naval spending

Nationalism

• Definition: • Franco-Prussian War 1871: France lost the war

and gave Germany the territory of Alsace-Lorraine• “jingoism” - extreme patriotism /fervent

nationalism - was a popular feeling throughout Europe

“If we need to fight to better our nation… WE ARE WILLING!”

Alliances

Definition: an agreement between two, or more, military factions; related to wartime planning, commitments, or contingencies; such agreements can be both defensive and offensive. Military alliances often involve non-military agreements, in addition to their primary purpose.

Reasoning:

-cultural issues?

Triple Alliance Triple Entente

• Germany wanted to isolate France

• Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Germany agreed to defend each others interests

• Britain, France, & Russia formed a loose alliance

• Each was concerned with Germany’s growing power.

The German Empire was young in 1914. It came into being following the consolidation of the Germanic states and the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.

German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck’s adage was always to be in a majority of three in any dispute among the five great European powers.

His aim was to preserve Germany’s peaceful ties with Russia

Kaiser Willhelm II quickly upset Bismarck’s delicate balance of power. Germany, by refusing to renew its friendship with Russia,

soon found itself in a minority of two. Its only European ally, was the weakest of the European powers, Austria-Hungary.

The tripwire that set off the century’s first global conflict was Austria’s declaration of war against Serbia on July 28, 1914. A war between Austria and Serbia meant a war between Austria and Russia, Serbia’s traditional ally. That

meant war between Russia and Germany. And that meant war between Germany and France. And that meant war between Germany and Great Britain. In a flash,

the whole continent was at war.

President Wilson’s Declaration of Neutrality, 19 August, 1914

1. Author2. Audience3. Context4. Theme5. For what purpose does Wilson acknowledge the

diverse origins of American citizens?6. Why is that a concern within this context?7. Why must the United States be neutral?8. What is it that Wilson is asking Americans to

do?