FCPS World II SOL Standards: WHII 10a and 10b World War I-Causes (1914-1918) You Mean the Whole World Went to War? M.A.I.N. Causes of World War I In 1914, many European countries were preparing for war. The conflict they would engage in is called World War I. You can remember the causes of the war by thinking of the word MAIN. Each letter stands for one of the major causes – militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism. Many European countries had a policy of militarism, the building of a large military force to use for war. Nations also formed strategic alliances and agreed to cooperate with other nations. During World War I, The Central Powers (see map) formed one side of the conflict. The Allies (see map), which later included the United States, formed the opposition. European imperialism created rival empires who wanted to increase their wealth and power. Lastly, Europeans also had strong feelings of nationalism. For example, Germans, French, and Russians believed in their superiority over other nations. Additionally, the Slavs, an ethnic group on the Balkan Peninsula in Eastern Europe, wanted to unite all Slavs in one country. However, a large territory inhabited by Slavic people was Colonial Rule in Africa, 1914 Source: http://s53.photobucket.com/user/PoorOldSpike/media/CMSF/imperial-africa.gif.html#/user/ controlled by the Austria-Hungary Empire. The Serbians, who PoorOldSpike/media/CMSF/imperial-africa.gif.html?&_suid=1405523637155008692264466551636 were part of the Slavs, wanted to make that territory independent.

Events of World War I World War I began on the Balkan Peninsula. This area was called the “powder keg of Europe” because of the number of armed conflicts in the area. It was there that a Serbian nationalist, Gavrillo Princip, assassinated Austria-Hungary’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand while he was visiting Serbia. Shortly thereafter, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Unknown to Austria- Hungary, Serbia had a secret alliance with Russia. Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary to defend Serbia. Kaiser Wilhelm II, the leader of Germany and an ally of Austria-Hungary, then declared war on Russia and France. Great Britain joined the war when Germany invaded Belgium to attack France. World War I, known as “the war to end all wars,” had begun.

Warfare in World War I The Central Powers found themselves fighting a two front war, with enemies to the west (Britain and France) and the east (Russia). The Western Front quickly became a stalemate, and the two sides dug trenches. These trenches were long channels where troops could take cover during attacks and rest after. The space between the trenches was called no man’s land, which was very dangerous to cross. Gunfire, barbed wires, dead bodies, and poison gas were all used as obstacles to keep enemies from crossing and taking trenches. The trenches themselves, filled with rats, bugs, disease, and injured soldiers, were dangerous, unwelcoming places. Timeline of British Influence in India, 1600-1857 Source: http://public.media.smithsonianmag.com/legacy_blog/sarajevo-murder.jpg A World War I This war did not just affect Europe. Battles were fought in Africa, on the Indian Ocean, and in the Middle East. Many countries around the world sent soldiers into battle. Colonies like Australia, India, and French Indochina (Vietnam) became de facto allies with their European “mother nation.” Japan fought with the Allies. Many colonies believed that they would be granted independence if they helped their colonizers win World War I. FCPS HS Social Studies © 2014 World War I-Causes (cont.) WHII 10a and 10b

The United States Joins the War The United States expressed a policy of neutrality at the beginning of World War I. However, the United States sold weapons to countries that were fighting, mainly Great Britain. The United States and Germany also competed for power in Haiti. In response, the Germans declared unrestricted submarine warfare, which meant that German submarines would attack any ship believed to be carrying weapons. In 1915, the Germans attacked the British ship the Lusitania killing many passengers, including several Americans. The United States government warned Germany against attacking Americans, but this event did not bring the United States into the war. In early 1917, the British intercepted the so-called “Zimmerman Cartoon of the Zimmerman Telegram Telegram.” In the telegram, Zimmerman, a German official, offered to help Mexico win back Source: http://johnsouthard.com/the-zimmerman-telegram/ territories lost to the United States if Mexico would attack the United States to keep them out of the war in Europe. The telegram convinced the U.S. government to openly declare war against Germany in 1917.

Russia Exits the War Over 1,700,000 Russian soldiers died in World War I. The Russian government under Czar Nicholas II was unable to provide food and ammunition to its soldiers. Meanwhile, the people of Russia were also going hungry. In 1917, an armed uprising overthrew the Russian monarchy. The new Russian leader, Vladimir Lenin, called for a ceasefirebetween Russia and the Central Powers. This meant that Germany was no longer fighting on its east and could focus her efforts on the Western Front (see map).

Key Vocabulary Ethnic: belonging to a certain group with a Neutrality: the quality or state of not supporting Militarism: the belief that a country should shared identity, heritage, or language either side in an argument maintain a strong military and be prepared Powder keg of Europe: a phrase used to Ceasefire: an order or signal to stop fighting, a to use it aggressively to defend or promote describe the Balkan Peninsula before WW I temporary suspension of fighting national interests Trenches: a long, thin hole in the ground used Alliance: an agreement to cooperate between Stalemate: a condition in a dispute, as protection from enemies two or more people, groups, or countries competition, or battle where neither side can gain an advantage No man’s land: space between trenches that did not belong to either side

Quick Review 1. Which of the following events convinced the United States 2. According to the chart, which of the to join World War I? Central Powers lost the most troops? A. Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination A. Austria-Hungary B. The Sinking of the Lusitania B. Germany C. The Zimmerman Telegram C. Ottoman Empire D. Russia leaving the war D. Bulgaria

3. According to the chart (in question 2), which of the 4. Which cause of World War I do you think was the most significant? Allied powers lost the most troops? Explain your answer. A. USA B. Britain C. France D. Russia

Connection to Today Resources Do you think another world war could begin if the leader of a nation ABC-CLIO was assassinated today? Explain your thinking. ● World War One http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/310046?terms=worl d+war+1 Marshall Cavendish ● World War One http://www.marshallcavendishdigital.com/encnav/World-War-I.27

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