SS8H7 The student will evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia between 1877 and 1918. d. Give reasons for World War I and describe Georgia’s contributions.

Essential Question: 1. What key events will cause the United States to become

involvement in World War I? 2. Did America make the right decision to join a World

War?

World War 1 1914~1918

In August 1914, World War I broke out in Europe. President Woodrow Wilson, who had been elected in 1912, declared America a neutral nation.

In other words, the United States would not take sides between the Central Powers led by Germany, Ottoman Turks, and Austria-Hungary and the Allied Powers led by France, Great Britain, and Russia.

What reason does the United States have to get involved in this war?

Allied Powers, included France, Great Britain , and Russia Color all Allied countries purple.

Color the Allied countries and add this color to the key.

The Central Powers, which opposed them, consisted of the empires of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

Color the Central countries and add this color to the key.

• Nationalism began to spread through out Europe. Many countries began to take great pride in their country and began to dislike other countries around them.

• The competition of superiority had begun and most countries thought they were better than others around them.

Many European countries had taken over parts of the world and established colonies.

As countries began to take over and expand their empires it caused a lot of hostility and strife.

• Because countries began to distrust those around them, Alliances began to form.

• Triple Alliance: The triple alliance was between Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungry.

• Triple Entente: was between Britain, France, Russia, and Serbia.

• The United States had from a strict neutrality and in no way wanted to be associated with affairs in Europe.

Many countries had begun to build up their armies in hopes of protecting their empires.

The competition to out do each other began and countries were now competing for who had the best army.

Click picture for Video.

What reason does the United States have to get involved in

this war?

• On June 28th, 1914. Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary was assassinated.

• This set off a chain reaction of events all across Europe. Within days, Germany invaded the neutral country of Belgium and rolled toward Paris.

• The invasion of Belgium convinced the British to join the allies against Germany.

• Germany declared war on Russia and invaded Russian Poland. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and World War I began in Europe.

AGAIN… What reason does the United States have to get involved in

this war?

President Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States

Wilson’s view on the war was to remain neutral without getting involved in the war.

He believed that if the United States remained neutral, we could lead both sides into a peace agreement. Click on Picture for Video

When World War I began in 1914, it seemed like something far away. The war was between nations on the other side of the world, and the people of the United States were glad that it was so far away.

“We were content with things the way they were here and had no wish to become involved in

Europe's war.” Gradually that feeling of

isolationism began to change.

Germany issued a warning that any ships nearing Great Britain would be fired upon using German U-boats (German Submarines).

The United States wanted to continue to trade with European Countries and felt the Germans were wrong for trying to stop trade in the world market.

On May 17, 1915, German U-Boats Torpedoed the Lusitania a British passenger ship.

The German army heard that the passenger ship was carry weapons and chose to sink the ship.

Wilson called the sinking of the Lusitania “murder on the high seas”.

Wilson threatened that if Germany did not stop sinking passenger ships that the United States would get involved in the war.

Germany does not want to risk the United States getting involved in the war and agrees to not sink passenger ships without warning.

Effect: 1. Over 1,200 passengers

were killed and of those 128 were Americans.

2. Caused problems for the US economy.

3. It made it difficult for US businesses to make money.

Germany begins to create a plan to keep the United States from entering the war.

They send a secret telegram to Mexico.

The telegram urged Mexico to attack the United States and in return Germany would help Mexico win back the lost provinces in the American Southwest.

Why did Germany send the telegram?

The Germans issue the Zimmerman telegram because:

they felt that if the United States was at war with Mexico

than they would not get involved in the European war. The telegram was intercepted by

the United States and never reached Mexico.

The Zimmerman Telegram helped to turn public opinion against Germany and may urge Wilson to get involved.

Will Wilson begin to lobby for support to enter the war?

1. The United States had a history of neutrality and did not get involved in European disputes.

2. Many Americans were immigrants from Europe and sympathized with countries involved as central powers.

3. Woodrow Wilson did not want to make an alliance with the Czar of Russia.

4. Some people in America opposed the idea of war.

1. Americans were outraged by German Submarine Warfare.

2. Many Americans favor France and Great Britain and wanted to help them.

3. The Zimmerman Telegram angers many Americans.

4. Americans want to continue to trade with allied powers in Europe.

Should the United States get involved in the war?

Write an article persuading Americans to either join or not to join the war effort. Be

sure to give supporting examples.

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