• Reflect on what we have done so far. What topics do you feel like you know very well, and which ones would you like to learn more about.

European Empire Building Leads to WWI

SS6H6d. Explain the impact of empire building in Africa and Asia on the

outbreak of WWI

Imperialism

• The policy of obtaining and occupying colonies to form an empire.

What is an empire?

A group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one government; especially a group of countries ruled by an emperor or empress.

Persian Empire

Roman Empire

Ottoman Empire

Mongolian Empire

Byzantine Empire

British Empire

In the late 1800’s…• There was a period of “new imperialism.” Almost

every European Country was trying to colonize Africa and other places.

Scramble for Africa1885-1910

• Great Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands – divided Africa among themselves

• Why – Natural resources

• Gold, diamonds, oil– Politics

• National pride (more colonies = more status)

– Worldview• Desire to “civilize“ and

Christianize Africa

Scramble for Asia

• Europe changed from Asia’s trading partner to Asia’s conqueror

• British took India

• French took Vietnam

On the rise in Europe:

• Nationalism: love of one’s country

• Militarism: using strong armies and threats of war

European countries signed treaties agreeing to help each other in case of attack.

Alliances

Propaganda Posters

• http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=wwI+propaganda&view=detail&id=F680FEC39E79FA41FBC1E897FD5F4E497CE7D32D&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR

The Great War (WWI) 1914-1918

Causes:1. MAIN : Militarism, Alliances,

Imperialism, and Nationalism

2. Tensions over territory in the Balkans

3. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife by Gavrilo Princip, a Serb

WWI “The War to End All Wars”

Central Powers• Austria-Hungary• Ottoman Empire

(Turkey + colonies)• Bulgaria• Germany• Plus all their colonies

Allied Powers• Russia• France• U.S.• U.K.• Plus all their

colonies

Events

1. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.2. Russia came to Serbia’s defense. 3. Germany backed its Germanic ally and went

to war against Russia & Serbia. 4. France & Britain then went to war against

the monarchies of Germany & Austria-Hungary.

THE U.S. TRIES TO STAY NEUTRAL

• Most Americans supported the ALLIES. • But - many German-Americans and Irish-

Americans were anti-British, supporting the CENTRAL powers.

• Britain’s navy stopped all shipping carrying weapons to Europe.

WORLD WAR I: U.S. NEUTRALITY

• Later, Britain stopped all trade with nations on the European continent.

• The US protested, but Britain remained careful in its relations with the U.S.

• Germany tried to break the British blockade by using the submarine, called U-BOAT.

Why the U.S. Entered the War• In May, 1915, Germany

sank the British liner LUSITANIA.

• 1198 died, including 128 Americans.

• As Wilson campaigned for re-election, he began a naval rearmament program.

U.S. Enters the War

• Germany sank all ships in the waters around Britain.

• This UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE made Wilson break off diplomatic relations with Germany.

• Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war, which he got on April 6, 1917.

THE U.S. FIGHTS TO VICTORY

• American DOUGH BOYS began fighting in Europe in 1918.

• 1918: Russia pulled out of the war after the Communists took power.

• In Belgium and France, TRENCH WARFARE led to stalemate.

• Germany first used POISON GAS in 1915, and Britain introduced the tank in 1916.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCduRtJQ7gE

War Ends• The turning point came in mid- 1918 in favor

of the Allies. • Germany signed an ARMISTICE at eleven

o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, which ended the war (now called Veteran’s Day).

• The Allies won.• Germany was blamed for the war.