Ch.14 Sec.1

The U.S. Enters World War I

The War to End All Wars…

• World War I– 1914-1918– 1st time the U.S. intervened in foreign affairs– Destroyed 2 major empires and created many new

countries– Changed how people viewed war– Introduced many new weapons & technologies– Results helped pave way for Hitler, Mussolini, and

Stalin to come to power– Created the poo mess in the Middle East today

The Outbreak of WWI• Causes of WWI– Militarism –Building up one’s military to prepare

for war (Russia)– Alliances - Countries began signing alliances w/

other countries to protect themselves (France)– Imperialism –Trying to expand your empire by

force (Germany, Austria-Hungary) – Nationalism- Pride in your own country and being

ready to defend it (Everyone)– Self-Determination – People of a nation should be

able to rule themselves independently (Serbians)

The Alliance System (Pre-War)

• Triple AllianceGermany

ItalyAustria-Hungary

• Triple EntenteRussia

Great BritainFranceSerbia

The Balkans

The Balkan Crisis• The Balkans–Region controlled by Austria-Hungary–Cultures included the Croats, Serbs,

Bosnians, and Slovenes– These groups wanted independence – Serbia was the most motivated of these

groups–Austria-Hungary refused to acknowledge

them as a country

A Continent Goes to War…

• Franz Ferdinand–Heir to the throne of

Austria-Hungary–Visited the Balkans to win

more support–Killed by a Serbian terrorist

group (The Black Hand) –Austria-Hungary declared

war on Serbia

War Begins…

• AlliesFranceRussia

Great BritainItaly

• Central PowersAustria-HungaryOttoman Empire

GermanyBulgaria

American Neutrality

• Woodrow Wilson– US should spread democracy and fight against

imperialism (moral obligation)– Had sent US troops to help overthrow regimes in

Mexico, D.R., Haiti & Nicaragua– Wanted to help the Allies immediately, but knew he

would need a reason to get America involved– America remained neutral for the first year of the

war– Convinced Congress to sell weapons to the Allies

America Joins the War

• America Joins WWI –– U-boats were sinking American vessels– Lusitania Sinking (Cruise ship carrying Americans

was sunk by Germany– Zimmerman Telegram (Supposed telegram

proposing a German/Mexican alliance)

Section Quiz

• List the five main causes of WWI (M.A.I.N.S.)

• What was the event that sparked the beginning of WWI?

• List two reasons why the United States entered WWI