World War I

Woodrow Wilson’s Diplomacy

• Wilson was a diehard opponent of imperialism

• Despite this, Wilson constantly interfered in political matters in the Caribbean and Mexico, trying to set up stable diplomatic governments in former colonial possessions

Question!

• What was President Wilson’s stance on imperialism, and what evidence supports his stance?

Setting the Stage

• In the early 20th century Europe was a jigsaw puzzle of alliances

• Germany’s emergence as a country in 1871 led to increased tension in European politics

• Germany allied with Austria-Hungry and Italy in the Triple Alliance

Setting the Stage

• In response to the Triple Alliance Russia became nervous and allied with France in the Franco-Russian Alliance of 1894

• By the early 1900’s Britain had joined this group which became the Triple Entente

Question!

• What were the issues causing the formation of alliances due to tension prior to World War?

Militarism• As alliances became

more entangled countries placed more emphasis on their military

• Armies became swelled to enormous sizes for peace time

• Countries began glorifying the size and scope of their military

Question!

• How did alliances have an impact on countries making their military a high priority?

Nationalism

• Nationalism is an intense feeling of pride in one’s native land

• This entails a country’s interests being placed above others as its people view their country as somehow better

The Powder Keg of the Balkans• Nationalism led to an

intense situation in the Balkans, a region traditionally controlled by the Ottoman Empire

• Nationalism pushed these countries (Serbia, Bosnia, and others) towards independence

• Russia supported the Serbs, while Austria Hungry tried to limit Serbian expansion

Question!

• How could a feeling of nationalism make an individual react toward other countries?

• What areas of Europe were affected by a strong feeling of nationalism?

The War Begins

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungry visited the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo in 1914

• While he rode through the city members of a nationalist group known as the “Black Hand” assassinated him

Alliances turn to War

• Austria was furious over Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia

• Russia, backed by France, prepared for war against Austria, who was backed by Germany

• Within a month all of Europe was at war

Question!

• What event caused the “powder keg” to explode? What group was responsible for this action?

American Neutrality• As World War I began

the official American stance was one of neutrality

• Despite this Americans began taking sides, normally along ancestral lines

• Despite Pres. Wilson’s stance of neutrality his cabinet heavily favored the British

Business vs. Neutrality• Businesses of the day

were angered by the neutrality stance

• Most businesses had strong ties to the Allied countries and continued to trade with them despite the neutrality order

• Most businesses stood to lose money if the Allies lost the War

America Moves to War• The British had used

their superior navy to blockade most of Western Europe

• This was aimed at keeping goods from entering Germany

• Germany began using submarines called U-Boats to attack ships and break the bloackade

Question!

• In what ways was the United States connected to the Allied powers before joining them?

The Lusitania• In February 1915

Germany announced “unrestricted submarine warfare” meaning they would sink any ship in British waters without warning

• The passenger liner Lusitania was sunk on May 7 killing over 1,200 passengers, including 128 Americans

Question!

• What was the link between the United States and the sinking of the Lusitania?

• What did the Germans mean by “unrestricted submarine warfare”?

Sussex Pledge• Many Americans wanted

war after the sinking of the Lusitania

• When Germany sank the French liner Sussex in 1916 Wilson issued an ultimatum to Germany to stop unrestricted submarine warfare or risk war

• Germany agreed and signed the Sussex Pledge

The Zimmermann Telegram• In January of 1917

Germany sent a telegram to Mexico suggesting that the two countries ally in case of War with the U.S.

• Mexico would get its “lost territory” of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona

• Americans were furious when the telegram was intercepted and demanded War

Question!

• How did the Zimmermann Telegram further push the United States to the brink of war?

The U.S. Declares War• The Zimmerman incident

pushed America dangerously close to War

• On February 1, 1917 Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare

• The sinking of six American merchant ships was the last straw

• On April 2, 1917 the U.S. declared War on Germany

Question!

• What was the “last straw” pushing the United States into World War I?

• What was the war declaration date?