Competition led to conflict Germany envied Britain and France
Describe Militarism
Preparation for war o Build up of armed forces o Giving military more authority Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Russia
Describe Nationalism Tendency for countries to act in own interest Countries with diverse ethnic populations ethnic minority want independence leads to violence.
Describe Alliances Complicated system to bolster security Bound great powers to come to one anothers aid if they were attacked.
What was the immediate cause of WWI?
Franz Ferdinand assassinated heir to Austrian throne Serbia blamed Alliances cause chain reaction of countries coming to defend their allies.
What are the four underlying causes of WWI? (MAIN)
Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism
Describe the first couple years of WWI.
Stalemate not very much ground gained on either side. Bloody New modern firepower but use old tactics of attacking o Machine guns, Hand grenades, Poison gasses , Trenches Sinking morale
Who were the Allied Powers? How did most Americans feel about the Allied Powers??
Allies Great Britain, France, and Russia Most Americans favor Allies o Many trace roots to Great Britain o Recent immigrants hope for independence at home o German autocrat Wilhelm II ruler with unlimited power vs. Democracy o Propaganda sent by Allies
Who were the Central Powers? How did most Americans feel about the Central Powers??
Central Powers Austria-Hungary, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire Many view Germanys use of U-Boats as uncivilized and fear their militarism/build up of arms Some favor central powers: Hostility toward Great Britain o German American o Irish American
What is a U-Boat? How did U-Boats change naval warfare? U-Boat is a submarine Fired on ships without warning, remaining hidden under the water.
How did Americans respond to the Germans use of U-Boats? Germany firing on Allied ships Americans getting killed Americans angry View Germans as ruthless and barbarous Wilson forced Germany to sign Sussex Pledge o Sussex Pledge stated Germany would warn ships prior to firing.
What is the Zimmermann Note? Describe it. British intercept a German telegram From Arthur Zimmermann, Germanys foreign secretary Makes secret offer to mexico If Mexico declared war on U.S. Germany would reward Mexico with American land in the southwest
How was the Zimmermann Note viewed by the American government? Not taken seriously by Wilson or Mexico Civil war in Mexico = could not have launched successful invasion
How did the American people view the Zimmermann Note? American people angered and call for war! Bold move Insulting
Why did the U.S. finally enter the war? What was the final straw?
Germany sunk three U.S. ships between March 16-18 after being warned not to.
How did the U.S. get men to fight in WWI? Selective Service Act o Drafted young men o Americans respond with enthusiasm Volunteers Propaganda
How did the U.S. transport men and supplies across the Atlantic Ocean safely?
Convoy System o Developed to transport troops overseas safely o Group of unarmed ships surrounded by a ring of destroyers, torpedo boats, armed vessels with hydrophones o successful in carrying troops to Europe
How were African Americans treated in WWI? What was their role in the war?
More than 300,000 African Americans volunteered or were drafted Served in segregated units Most never saw combat Given manual labor jobs Many fought with distinction Nearly 4,000 died or were wounded
How did the government get people to support the war? Propaganda o Posters, four-minute men, short movies Everyone had a part conserve food, serve in military, buy bonds, save gas, etc. Liberty Bonds o Allowed U.S. to loan a great deal of money to the Allied powers ($10 billion)
How did the war impact the workforce?
Minorities including African Americans, Mexicans, and women find work in war-related industry
How did the war impact immigration? How did Americans view Germans? Immigration nearly comes to a halt restrictions Americans suspicious of immigrants and are anti-German Violence/Discrimination toward Germans Literacy test for immigrants nativism (belief Americans native to country are better)
How did the War Industries Board increase government power? Over-saw war related production Told manufacturers what and how much to produce Fixed prices What did the Food and Fuel Administration aim to do? Increase farm production, decrease waste Increase in Govt. Power
How did the Sedition Act increase government power? Sedition Act made it illegal to: o obstruct the sale of Liberty Bonds o discuss anything negative about the American form of government, the Constitution, or the army, and navy. Violated free speech many felt war required harsh measures
What were the fourteen points? What was the most important thing Wilson wanted to accomplish? Wilsons peace plan = Fourteen Points o End alliances o Keep peace o Removal of trade barriers o Reduction of military forces o Self-determination Most important part of plan o League of Nations
Who were the Big Four? Great Britain = David Lloyd George France = George Clemenceau Italy Vittorio Orlando U.S. Woodrow Wilson
What was the goal of the League of Nations? The League of Nations would be an organization in which the nations of the world would join together to ensure security and peace for all members. Members of the league would regard an attack on one country as an attack on all o League would not have military power o Dependent on countries to back up with their armies
How did many Americans feel about the League of Nations? Many Americans fear that the U.S. would be brought into unpopular foreign wars as a result of the League of Nations.
What effect did WWI have on the U.S. economy?
U.S. Businesses boosted during war U.S. now worlds largest creditor nation European countries owed estimated $11 billion to U.S. U.S. in position of unexpected strength Upon return home jobs were scarce for veterans Americans directly involved with the war disillusioned by horrors of warfare. What did the Sedition Act do? Sedition Act made it illegal to: o obstruct the sale of Liberty Bonds o discuss anything negative about the American form of government, the Constitution, or the army, and navy. Violated the First Amendments guarantee of free speech many felt war required harsh measures Increase in Govt. Power