The Great War: WWI

World War I

CAUSES• European powers compete

for colonies• Nationalism increases in

Europe• Arms race develops• Hostile alliances form

EFFECTS• Allies defeat Central Powers• Old empires break up• Europe is economically

devastated• League of Nations is formed• US becomes economic giant

& isolationist• Treaty’s harsh treatment of

Germany helps lead to WWII

Causes of WWI (MAIN)

• Militarism: Building up armed forces, getting ready for war

• Alliances: agreement or promises to defend & help another country

• Imperialism: Trying to build up an empire• Nationalism: Pride in your country, willing to

defend it

Countries Involved

ALLIES• Great Britain• France• Italy• USA• Russia (in the beginning)• 16 other nations/colonies

CENTRAL POWERS• Austria-Hungary• Germany• Ottoman Empire• Bulgaria

Order of Events

• June 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austrian throne, is assassinated by a Serbian nationalist.

• July 1914: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

• Aug. 1914: Alliance system pulls in one nation after another.

US Stays Neutral

• Pres. Wilson’s campaign slogan: “He kept us out of the war!”

• Policy of Isolationism• WWI is Europe’s problem• US traded w/ all of Europe• US immigrants had family still in Europe on

both sides

US Joins WWI (1917-1918)

• Pres. Wilson joins Allies• Zimmerman Note: German diplomat sends

letter to Mexico encouraging it to attack the US, if the US joins WWI.

• Lusitania: British ship sunk by German u-boat. American passengers on ship.

• Russia withdraws from war• US loans billions to Allies