Causes of the WarUnderlying Causes:
◦Militarism◦Alliances◦Imperialism◦Nationalism
Immediate Causes:◦Assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand
Causes of the WarUnderlying Causes:
◦ M ilitarism◦ A lliances◦ I mperialism◦ N ationalism
Immediate Causes:◦Assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand
War in EuropeMost of Europe is at warAllied Powers vs. Central Powers
◦ Allied: England, France, Russia, Italy◦ Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary,
Ottoman EmpireNew technology makes war deadlier
◦ Machine gun◦ Poison gas◦ Tanks◦ Planes◦ Artillery
Both sides resort to trench warfare to survive
British Mark V Tank
French Renault FT
The US and the WarThe US declares neutralityIs the US REALLY neutral?!?
◦American heritage is tied to England…◦France helped America in the Revolutionary
War…◦Lots of German immigrants in the country…◦Lots of Irish immigrants in the country…
US tries to trade with both sides◦Sends food, weapons, and money to Europe◦Allied Powers get ~$2 Billion dollars in aid/trade◦Central Powers get ~$27 Million dollars in
aid/trade
US Enters the WarGermany using unrestricted submarine warfare to
try to beat England and France◦ Germany sinks the Lusitania, a passenger ship, killing
over 1,200, including 128 Americans in 1915◦ Germany torpedoes the Sussex, which kills ~100 in 1916
Germany signs the Sussex Pledge, promising to NOT use unrestricted submarine warfare
Germany sends the Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in 1917◦ Asks Mexico to attack the US to keep us out of Europe
Germany resumes using unrestricted submarine warfare◦ Germany sinks four US ships in March 1917
Finally, the US declares war in April 1917
Painting of U-Boat Sinking
SS Sussex
The War at HomeWar is GREAT for the American economy!
◦American factories building tanks, planes, guns, bombs
◦American banks lending money to England and France
Labor shortage leads to rising worker wages◦War cuts off almost all immigration from Europe◦Two million American men drafted into the Army◦Workers salaries go from ~$15/week to
~$100/weekAmericans asked to ration (conserve) food,
fuel, and resources for the war effort
Women in Factories
Shifting DemographicsLabor shortage means lots of NEW
workers◦Women start working in factories making
real $$$ for the first time◦African-Americans move from south to
north to work in factories◦Hispanics (mainly Mexicans) move to
southwest US to work in agricultural jobsWe’ll come back to these changing
demographics and gender roles next time!
New Workers
New Workers
The US in EuropeUS builds army through the Selective
Service (the Draft)American Expeditionary Force led by
General John J. PershingAmerican soldiers (called
“doughboys”) break the stalemate in Europe◦Alvin York wins the Congressional Medal of
Honor for fighting in FranceGermany asks for a cease-fire on
November 11, 1918
The Peace Plan After the WarWho goes to peace conference?
◦England, France, Italy, the USWhat do they want?
◦England: revenge◦France: revenge◦Italy: revenge◦The US: peace, and to make sure this
never happened again
The Big Four
The Peace Plan After the WarPresident Wilson proposes his Fourteen
Points◦14 big ideas for ending war, like smaller
armies and navies, or letting people vote for their government
◦Wilson’s biggest idea is a “League of Nations”
England, France, and Italy disagree with Wilson
Wilson agrees to give up all his other points if they accept the League of Nations
Treaty of VersaillesGermany has to accept blame for the
warGermany has to pay reparations in
the amount of $33 billion dollarsGermany has to give up its army and
some if its coloniesThis is HUMILIATING for Germany!
◦Germans are desperate for leadership following the war
◦Helps start World War II just 20 years later
Europe Before the War
Europe After the War
Wilson Brings the Treaty HomeTreaties have to be approved by
the Senate◦It’s a rule in the Constitution
The Senate, led by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge reject the treaty◦Lodge says the treaty will get the US
involved in European affairs (and maybe wars…)
The US NEVER joins the League of Nations
US Rejects the Treaty