The Great War

1. Where is America’s place in a changing world? The Great War

2. Beginnings of a great war. • In the late 1800’s the German Empire fought France for land. • Germany and Austria-Hungary formed a military alliance • Both France and Russia were worried Germany would look to invade their land • So France and Russia also formed a military alliance.

3. Beginnings of a great war. • Soon other European countries wanted to join alliances. • This led to militarism • Militarism: Is the build up of weapons and armed forces to intimidate others. What do you think the effect of militarism was? Does militarism help promote peace? Why or why not?

4. Beginnings of a great war. • Great Britain took a policy of supporting weaker countries against stronger ones. • Great Britain was worried that one country would control all of Europe. • Soon Germany and Great Britain where involved in a arms race.

5. Beginnings of a great war. • Soon other countries wanted to gain the support of Great Britain • France and Russia wanted to join in an alliance with Great Britain • With these three countries working together, for the first time you had two powerful groups against each other.

7. Nationalism • Every country in Europe had its own special culture • Each country was worried about losing their national identity • As a result each country began to develop strong nationalism. Nationalism is the intense pride in one’s homeland.

8. Nationalism • This feeling of nationalism was shared by all groups of people. • Including groups of people that had their own separate culture while living in larger countries. • An example is the Serbs who were the first group of ethnically similar people to get there own nation

9. Nationalism • Serbia wanted to unite all southern Slavs • However Austria-Hungary did not want to lose land and people from their nation. • Russia however supported the smaller country of Serbia Why would Russia support Serbia?

10. The war begins • Tensions across Europe are extremely high by 1908 • Soon Austria-Hungary decides to take control of the Slavic Bosina • This caused Serbia to feel threatened and angry.

11. The war begins • In 1914 the Archduke of Austria-Hungary was Franz Ferdinand • He visited the newly claimed territory of Bosnia • He and his wife are gunned down by a member of a Serbian nationalist group called the “Black Hand. • It was the “Black Hand’s” goal of starting a war. Gavrilo Princip

12. The war begins • The Black Hand got their war. • Austria-Hungary decided that it was time to crush Serbia and their nationalist revolution. • Austria-Hungary asked Germany for support in the war and they agreed

13. The Alliances are triggered • When Austria-Hungary issued a declaration of war on Serbia, Serbia looked to the Russians for help. • Russia agreed and in turn looked to France for help. • France was worried about fighting Germany alone someday so they agreed to from an alliance with Russia.

14. The Great War • Germany planned to knock the French out early, but to do so they needed to cross through Belgium • When they did Great Britain declared war on Germany • Now France, Russia, Serbia and Great Britain were fighting Germany and Austria-Hungary

15. What makes this a world war? Allied Powers Central Powers France British Empire Russia  Serbia Belgium Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria VS.

17. Open to page 325. Read the Yes and NO section. Answer questions 1-4

18. Who is missing? • America was a new and up incoming nation • They were far away from the fighting • Many Americans felt that they had no business interfering with European affairs

19. The United States of America • Once the war started: • Woodrow Wilson declared that America was neutral • However many Americans found it hard to stay neutral • 8 million German Americans supported the Central powers, while many other Americans supported Great Britain “We must be impartial in thought as well as in action.” –President Wilson

20. America and the Great War • America remained neutral for the first two years of WWI • Even though they were neutral many believed that we should prepare for war anyway • However Wilson and many Americans felt that going to war would set America back

21. Why would America want to stay nuetral? • America traded with both Central and Allied powers • America was a young and growing country. Many felt war would hurt its growth • America was divided, Americans had family in both all countries involved.

22. America and the Great War • Both the Central and Allied powers wanted American support • While President Wilson did not want war, his cabinet members did. • The cabinet members felt that it was the only way to preserve international balance of power

23. The British come calling • Great Britain was desperate for American support and worked hard to win that support • The British used propaganda to convince Americans • Germany also used propaganda but it was manly anti-Russian which Americans did not care about

24. Propaganda • Propaganda is information designed to influence someone’s opinion • The British controlled news that went to America from Europe • Their Propaganda was very successful

26. The Neutral Debate Neutral For War • America was young and developing • The U.S. is protected from Europe by the Atlantic Ocean • America traded with most countries in Europe • Many Americans felt a bond towards their homelands • Some people felt that going to would help make the U.S. a super power • Military leaders wanted to go to war before they were dragged into war. Choose a side in the neutrality debate. Write a response stating whether you would support staying neutral or going to war.

27. Business Supports Britain • While the American government stayed neutral its businessmen did not • Big banks gave the Allied powers loans • By 1917 the banks had loaned out $2 billion to the Allied forces • and just $27 million to the Central powers “Our firm had never for one moment been neutral: we did not know how to be. From the very start we did everything that we could to contribute to the cause of the Allies” – Thomas W. Lamont

28. Great Britain Reacts • Great Britain declares a blockade on all German ports • The British Navy would stop all ships heading to Europe and check for Contraband • This led to protests by the American government

29. German Response to the blockade • Germany decided to attack any ships that were in English waters • England and France depended on supplies from all across the world • By attacking these shipments Germany was cutting of critical supplies to the Allied Forces

30. U-Boats • Germany used newly invented submarines called U-Boats to enforce the blockade • In 1915 the Germans announced that they would use any means to stop boats headed to France or Great Britain • These U-boats shot at all boats that crossed into English waters

32. The Lusitania • In 1915 the British passenger ship the Lusitania entered into English waters • A German U Boat shot at and sunk the ship • It killed 1,200 people including 128 Americans http://www.history.com/videos/world-war-i-germans-attack-us-navy-boats#u-boats-sink-the-lusitania-in-1915

33. Americans were outraged by the attack • Most Americans now called for the U.S. to declare war against Germany • Woodrow Wilson however still did not want to go to war. He issued complaints to Germany asking them to stop attacking “Non-combatants”

34. The Sussex • Wilson’s policy was tested in 1916 • A German U boat fired a torpedo at a French passenger ship called the Sussex injuring several Americans • Even though most Americans now favored war Wilson still did not • He told Germany that they should stop there U-Boat warfare or risk war with the U.S.

35. The Sussex Pledge • Germany was very worried that the United States would enter the war on the side of the Allied forces • So they signed a treaty called the “Sussex Pledge” • This peaceful act helped Wilson get re-elected

36. The U.S. finally goes to war • In 1917 a German official named Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to Mexico • In the telegram it asked Mexico to become its ally in the war • In return it would help Mexico get back lost territory of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona

37. The Zimmermann Telegram • This telegram was intercepted by the British and given to the U.S. • Americans now greatly favored war • At the same time Germany sunk several American ships • Wilson had no choice but to go to war

38. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJWP-SqEaq4 First Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JOSpLMcmFc&feature=related Second video Play to 4:15

40. Allies were desperate • By 1917, the Allied forces were desperate for American help • America entered the war just in time to save the allies • The resource that the Allies needed the • most was more soldiers

41. No one in America knew just how badly the Allies needed troops • Most Americans believed that we would not have to send troops over to fight • Most thought we would just send money and military supplies

42. The Great War • Soon America had no choice but to send troops into the war • Wilson thought that an all- volunteer Army would be good enough • However just not enough men volunteered

43. Not enough men • The United States before WWI did not have a standing army • When it came time to fight the army depended on volunteers • Many people believed that conscription or a draft was the only way to fill the need for men.

44. The Draft: Selective Service • In 1917 Woodrow Wilson approved the new selective service. • This made it mandatory that all men between the ages of 21-30 sign up for the draft • Their names would then be placed in a lottery and if their name was picked they would have to go and fight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JOSpLMcmFc&feature=related

45. The War effort • It took a lot to fund and supply the war effort • Americans were asked contribute in anyway they could • This included, joining the military, not eating as much food, and buying war bonds

47. Victory Gardens • The U.S. encouraged its people to grow their own gardens • “Food will win the war- Don’t waste it” • Wheatless Mondays, Meatless Tuesdays, and Porkless Thursdays

48. Paying for the war • Going to war was not free • Congress had no choice but raise taxes on people and businesses • By the end of the war the U.S. spent 32 Billion dollars on the war

49. War Bonds • In order to help pay for the war effort the government issued Liberty and Victory bonds • These bonds could be bought buy Americans • The money would be used to fund the war • The bonds could be returned for full price

50. The War effort • American industry went into overtime in order to help out • Henry Ford was desperate for workers, so he advertised in the south • Many African-Americans in the south that could not find work moved north • In the north they were able to find well paying jobs