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Global Causes of WWI and U.S. Involvement

Delve into the worldwide factors sparking WWI and the reasons behind US entry into the conflict in 1917. Explore economic interests, cultural ties, hostile acts, Wilson's idealism, German naval policy, and the decisive events leading to America's declaration of war. Dive deep into the historical events shaping this global conflict.

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Global Causes of WWI and U.S. Involvement

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  1. Causes of WWI

  2. Global Causes • Began as a local European war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia on July 28, 1914 • Became a general European struggle after Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia and Germany invaded Belgium • Over five years, it became a global war involving 32 nations

  3. Causes of U.S. Involvement • The United States maintained a shaky neutrality for more than two years after the war erupted. However, the U.S. was eventually led into the war by April, 1917 • Election of 1916 pitted Wilson (D) “keep us out of war” versus Hughes (R) who was backed by Roosevelt and considered more of a warmonger. Narrow victory for Wilson.

  4. American economic interests • U.S. produced war supplied for France and Britain and U.S. banks loaned $3 billion to Europe, helping to produce one of the greatest economic booms in the nation’s history • The National Security League organized by bankers and businessmen promoted prepardedness; got Wilson to agree

  5. Cultural ties • The U.S. greatly admired Britain’s traditions, culture, and political system that made them morally superior to the Central Powers • Americans had greater cultural ties to the English

  6. Allied propaganda • Britain exaggerated German atrocities in Belgium and France as well as the Zimmerman note

  7. Early Hostile Acts • Sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship in May, 1915—128 Americans killed • Sinking of the French merchant ship the Sussex, in March, 1916—2 Americans killed (Germany issued the Sussex Pledge)

  8. Wilson’s idealism: a moral victory • warned Germany that unrestricted submarine warfare would violate the U.S. trade rights as a neutral nation • claimed WWI fighting would “make the world safe for democracy” • create “peace without victory”

  9. German naval policy • In Jan., 1917, Germany announced that it would resort to unrestricted submarine warfare against the shipping of Britain and all shipping to Britain • Wilson’s address to Congress: Feb., 1917: warning to Germany that any additional acts of aggression would result in war

  10. More German Aggression in March, 1917 • Zimmerman Note intercepted • Russian Revolution: meant that they would no longer be led by a totalitarian czar—ideal for Wilson • Five more U.S. merchant ships sunk

  11. Declaration of war: April 6, 1917 • See Wilson’s war message to Congress

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