DiscussionDiscussion

If the United States were attacked today, If the United States were attacked today, what countries would come to our what countries would come to our defense?defense?

Discussion Discussion 

Why do countries ally themselves Why do countries ally themselves militarily with others?militarily with others?

For security, or to have greater military For security, or to have greater military strength with which to attackstrength with which to attack

Discussion Discussion 

How do you think other countries would How do you think other countries would help the United States if it were help the United States if it were attacked?attacked?

Other nations could join in a counterattack Other nations could join in a counterattack on the enemy, protect U.S. citizens living on the enemy, protect U.S. citizens living abroad, or use intelligence services to track abroad, or use intelligence services to track down enemy agents.down enemy agents.

Discussion Discussion 

Why might an alliance relationship Why might an alliance relationship between two countries end?between two countries end?

Conflict over economic or political issuesConflict over economic or political issues

Militarism and AlliancesMilitarism and Alliances

Militarism and NationalismMilitarism and Nationalism European nations focused  European nations focused increasingly on military power. Nationalist feelings rose increasingly on military power. Nationalist feelings rose during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as Germany and Italy each formed cohesive states.Germany and Italy each formed cohesive states.

Triple Alliance and Franco-Russian AllianceTriple Alliance and Franco-Russian Alliance The new  The new Germany formed the Triple Alliance with Italy and Austria-Germany formed the Triple Alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary. Russian leaders, fearing German expansion and Hungary. Russian leaders, fearing German expansion and Austria-Hungary’s domination in southeastern Europe, Austria-Hungary’s domination in southeastern Europe, signed the Franco-Russian Alliance. This set off an arms signed the Franco-Russian Alliance. This set off an arms race.race.

The Triple EntenteThe Triple Entente The British established closer relations  The British established closer relations with France and Russia. Britain, France, and Russia with France and Russia. Britain, France, and Russia became known as the Triple Entente.became known as the Triple Entente.

Discussion Discussion 

Why did European nations form alliances Why did European nations form alliances during this time period?during this time period?

Nations wished to protect their borders and Nations wished to protect their borders and solidify their power. They formed alliances to solidify their power. They formed alliances to help secure themselves against attack and help secure themselves against attack and protect their own interests.protect their own interests.

Discussion Discussion 

How did international alliances help How did international alliances help create tensions in Europe?create tensions in Europe?

The alliances set certain nations against the The alliances set certain nations against the others, and reinforced the growing emphasis others, and reinforced the growing emphasis on militarism and nationalism.on militarism and nationalism.

European ImperialismEuropean Imperialism

European EmpiresEuropean Empires European nations had developed far- European nations had developed far-flung empires. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman flung empires. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire, for example, controlled much of southeastern Empire, for example, controlled much of southeastern Europe.Europe.

Rising National FeelingRising National Feeling Nationalist feelings arose among  Nationalist feelings arose among people under these empires. The Balkans in particular saw people under these empires. The Balkans in particular saw a sharp increase in nationalist feelings.a sharp increase in nationalist feelings.

Serbian NationalismSerbian Nationalism Of the Balkan peoples, the Serbs  Of the Balkan peoples, the Serbs were the first to form a nation, Serbia. Their nation’s were the first to form a nation, Serbia. Their nation’s mission was to unite the South Slavs. Russia supported the mission was to unite the South Slavs. Russia supported the Serbs, and Austria-Hungary tried to limit Serbia’s growth.Serbs, and Austria-Hungary tried to limit Serbia’s growth.

Discussion Discussion 

Why would nationalists oppose the idea Why would nationalists oppose the idea of imperialism?of imperialism?

Nationalists were united by heritage and Nationalists were united by heritage and culture, but imperialists forced people of culture, but imperialists forced people of varying backgrounds to live under the varying backgrounds to live under the control of one power.control of one power.

European PowersEuropean Powers

Most of the European powers at that time Most of the European powers at that time had colonies in Africa and Asia. Many of the had colonies in Africa and Asia. Many of the natural resources that Europe needed to natural resources that Europe needed to maintain their industries came from those maintain their industries came from those areas. areas.

The United States became an imperialist The United States became an imperialist power at the same time that European power at the same time that European nations were gaining power. nations were gaining power.

War BeginsWar Begins

Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand The assassination of Austrian archduke Franz  The assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Slavic nationalist in Sarajevo was the flashpoint that Ferdinand by a Slavic nationalist in Sarajevo was the flashpoint that ignited European tensions to begin World War I.ignited European tensions to begin World War I.

Alliances ActivateAlliances Activate Austria-Hungary turned to Germany for support  Austria-Hungary turned to Germany for support against Serbia. Serbia turned to Russia and Russia turned to its ally, against Serbia. Serbia turned to Russia and Russia turned to its ally, France.France.

Declarations of WarDeclarations of War On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary officially  On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary officially declared war on Serbia. Soon after, Germany declared war on Russia declared war on Serbia. Soon after, Germany declared war on Russia and France. Great Britain declared war on Germany after German and France. Great Britain declared war on Germany after German forces entered neutral Belgium.forces entered neutral Belgium.

Allies and Central PowersAllies and Central Powers The Allies included Britain, France,  The Allies included Britain, France, Russia, and Italy. The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Russia, and Italy. The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Discussion Discussion 

Why might the war in Europe have Why might the war in Europe have mattered to the United States?mattered to the United States?

The United States had economic and The United States had economic and cultural ties to European nations, especially cultural ties to European nations, especially Britain. They may also note that the Britain. They may also note that the domination of one or two strong imperial domination of one or two strong imperial powers throughout Europe could have powers throughout Europe could have endangered rising U.S. global influence.endangered rising U.S. global influence.

Moving Towards WarMoving Towards War

Neutrality had eroded due to a series of eventsNeutrality had eroded due to a series of events British blockaded German ports forcing merchant British blockaded German ports forcing merchant

ships sailing to Europe to land at British ports to ships sailing to Europe to land at British ports to be inspected for Contrabandbe inspected for Contraband

Contraband- Goods prohibited from shipment to Contraband- Goods prohibited from shipment to Germany and its allies.Germany and its allies.

This angered Germans and in February of 1915 This angered Germans and in February of 1915 German announce they will use submarines called German announce they will use submarines called U-boats to sink any ship found around British U-boats to sink any ship found around British waters.waters.

Moving Towards WarMoving Towards War

May 7, 1915, British passenger ship called the May 7, 1915, British passenger ship called the Lusitaninia is sunk by German U-Boats.Lusitaninia is sunk by German U-Boats.

128 Americans were on the ship so Americans 128 Americans were on the ship so Americans attitudes towards the war changes.attitudes towards the war changes.

Americans no longer want to stay neutral. Americans no longer want to stay neutral. Pres. Wilson tried to diffuse the incident, but the Pres. Wilson tried to diffuse the incident, but the

next February a UBoat sunk a French passenger next February a UBoat sunk a French passenger ship.ship.

Wilson gives one last warning to Germany to stopWilson gives one last warning to Germany to stop Germany agrees to stop sinking ship to avoid war Germany agrees to stop sinking ship to avoid war

with the U.S.with the U.S.

Moving Towards WarMoving Towards War

February of 1917, despite agreeing to not February of 1917, despite agreeing to not use UBoats to sink ships, Germany use UBoats to sink ships, Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare resumes unrestricted submarine warfare and they sink 6 American ships.and they sink 6 American ships.

April 2, 1917, Pres. Wilson asks congress to April 2, 1917, Pres. Wilson asks congress to declare war on Germany.declare war on Germany.