Describe Imperialism

Conquest of uncolonized land

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