WW1 - Unit 4 (Chapter 14
What were the economic reasons that led to the US entering WWI
*The U.S. had huge economic investments with the British and French. If they were to lose, then they would not be able to pay the U.S. debt back (amounting to about two billion dollars while Germany only borrowed a mere 27 million). •If Allies could not pay back all the loans made to them by the American bankers, the US's economy could collapse. •France and England were financing their war with US loans. In addition, they were buying massive amounts of arms from the US on credit. The US wanted to make sure that it got paid back. Germany also purchased arms, but in a much more limited fashion.
Alliance System
A formal agreement between two or more nations or powers to cooperate and come to one another's defense
Imperialism
A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries poitically, socially, and economically.
Name the 3 countries in each side of WW1
Central: Italy, Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire Entente: Britain, France & Russia
Give an example of a WWI for Alliance System
After the build up of tension from Nationalism, Imperialism and Militarism, the Powers were worried about being attacked by each other. To counter this alliances were formed. Germany made a secret alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879. Three years later Italy joined this Dual Alliance to form the Triple Alliance because it was annoyed with France for stopping its plans to colonise North Africa. The rest of the Great Powers became increasingly worried about the strength of the Triple Alliance. Believing they could be defeated by Germany, Austria and Italy acting together. France and Russia agreed to help each other if attacked. Britain was worried because it had no allies among the Powers, but it was not prepared to ally with Germany after the Boer War. In 1904 France and Britain were prepared to forget their previous quarrels and enter an agreement. Finally in 1907 France brought all three nations together to form the Triple Entente. The Alliance System was definitely a prominent cause of WWI. If Germany hadn't allied with Austria the war might've been averted. For example if a conflict occurred just between Germany and Great Britain the rest of Europe would not be pulled into it. World War One spread because of the Alliance system, even with the tension build up it would've still been just another European war.
How did Imperialism lead up to WW1
Again Germany's search for both a colonial and Central European empire put a lot of pressure on the Triple Entente and made a war more likely. They constantly threatened Britiain in order to secure concessions of territory (particularly in Africa and the Pacific), again this only tightened Britain's links with France and added to the Alliance web.
Self-determination cause of WW1
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Serb nationalists in 1914 which is the most obvious and pertinent case of self determination causing WW1. The Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires were teetering on the brink because self determination was disaffecting millions in their large multi-national empires. This would seem reason enough to go to war in an attempt to garner the support of the multi nationals in their respective countries.
What were the 2 alliances before the war
Entente Powers & Central Powers
Name each of the 3 countries in the alliances before the war
Entente: UK, France & Russia Central Powers: German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire & Ottomon Empire
Give an example of a WWI for Imperialism
European countries had been taking over colonies throughout the world since the fifteenth century. From 1870 on there was an unwritten competition to take over parts of the world they had earlier considered not worth colonising. Britain and France, and Germany and France had almost gone to war over clashes in North Africa. Italy resented France because they prevented the setting up of Italian colonies, and the British and Russians clashed over who should have control in Persia (modern Iran), but were both worried that Germany would take land in the Middle East. Imperialism had an important side effect that explains why the 'Great War' became a world war. As each European country gained colonies, those colonies became committed to helping the 'motherland' in the event of a war.
Give an example of a WWI for Militarism
Militarism also built up the tension and fear among the Great Powers of Europe. Britain at the time was the largest empire in the world, and it also had the largest navy. The Kaiser William II of Germany hated and envied Britain for having a stronger navy than his. He increased the German navy and built many warships. Britain responded by building more ships and increasing its navy too. This started a race for building more and better warships and it created tension and competition between the two nations. All conflicts in Europe resulted in the building up of the nation's army and navy. By 1914 Europe was in a state of 'armed peace'.
What is M A I N
Militarism, Alliance System, Imperialism, Nationalism
Give an example of a WWI for Nationalism
Nationalists were so proud of their nation that they wanted it to be the richest and most important - and recognised as such. Such strong feelings made the countries very aggressive towards other nations and quite unforgiving if their nation had been offended. It was nationalism that encouraged Givrilo Princip to shoot dead the Austrian heir. Nationalism greatly blew up the tension and had an influence in causing WWI.
What was the Zimmerman Telegraph
Other points influenced entrance to the war, but the Zimmerman Telegram (sometimes called the "Zimmerman note" or "Zimmerman telegraph") finally pushed the US to war. The Zimmerman Telegram was sent from the German foreign secretary to the German Ambassador to Mexico. It stated the following: •On the first of February, 1917, submarine warfare will be reinstated unrestrictively. •The US has to stay neutral. •Germany proposes an alliance with Mexico on the following basis: If the US goes to war, Mexico must fight on the home front in an financially supported alliance with Germany; If Mexico agrees to fight, they will reconquer New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.
Why did the US enter WW1
Submarine Warfare and the Lusitania; Economics; Political; Ideology; The Zimmerman Telegraph: 1. england was a good market for us 2. we were allies with england 3. wasr meant capitilist profits 4. control of global resources 5. the economy was receeding needed a stimulus 6. imperialism
How did Militarism lead up to WW1
The Arms Races, with war looming nations were desperate not to be outdone in any area of their military. Germany, France and Russia started to conscript large portions of their male population, this gave their countrymen military experience and a taste of war, suddenly everyone was ready and willing to fight. This conscription and arms build up meant that soon every European state had a huge army at its disposal, these armies were ruining their economies, they had to lose them soon but couldnt just let them go, they were propelled to war in order to destroy their enemies and give them the security they needed to allow disarmament. Germany also began building a large, modernised navy that directly threatened the British, who they were still attempting to secure as an ally at the time, and eventually forced them into the arms of the French
What is the Lusitania sinking
The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania, famous for its luxurious accommodations and speed capability, primarily ferried people and goods across the Atlantic Ocean between the United States and Great Britain. On May 1, 1915, the Lusitania left port in New York for Liverpool to make her 202nd trip across the Atlantic. On board were 1,959 people, 159 of whom were Americans. Since the outbreak of World War I, ocean voyage had become dangerous. Each side hoped to blockade the other, thus prevent any war materials getting through. German U-boats (submarines) stalked British waters, continually looking for enemy vessels to sink.
Name the 2 sides in WW1
The Central Alliance(or the triple alliance) and the Triple Entente
How did Nationalism lead up to WW1
This was what started the war and what allowed it to continue for so long. Previously wars had been very short and there had generally been at least a modicum of healthy respect for the enemy in many previous European conflicts. By WW1 the populations of Europe had been assured by their governments propoganda that their enemies were the lowest of the low. It was the hatred of the Germans that made the French want revenge for their occupation of Alsace Lorraine, it was the hatred of the Germans that allowed the British Army to have a sudden surge in recruit numbers in 1914 when it deployed to France and it was that same hatred that compelled the Allies to keep on fighting through the horrors of trench warfare.
Militarism
a political orientation of a people or a government to maintain a strong military force and to be prepared to use it aggresively to defend or promote national interests
Nationalism
love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it
How did the US enter WWI
war erupted in 1914, the United States attempted to remain neutral and was a proponent for the rights of neutral states. Isolationist foreign policy was encouraged by Congress's apprehensions about giving other countries a political door into US policies and the cultural melting pot of the United States' population. However, in 1915 the Lusitania was sunk without a warning, killing over 120 Americans. One year later, the Sussex was sunk by German U-boats and American citizens were outraged at these direct violations of their neutral rights at sea. At this point, a small percentage of Americans, including presidential hopeful Teddy Roosevelt, demanded "immediate warfare." In 1916 President Wilson took a stronger stance toward foreign affairs by increasing the size of the military and issuing a warning to the Germans:Unless the Imperial Government should now immediately declare and effect an abandonment of its present methods of submarine warfare against passenger and freight-carrying vessels, the Government of the United States can have no choice but to sever diplomatic relations with the German Empire altogether (1). The Germans responded by temporally ceasing submarine warfare until 1917 when German Ambassador Berstorff announced the continuation of submarine warfare and ended diplomatic relations with the United States. However, military strategists predicted certain defeat for the Germans if America entered the war at this point. In an attempt to eliminate the threat of American involvement in Europe, Foreign Minister Alfred Zimmerman attempted to provoke Mexico and Japan into attacking the United States with the promise of German assistance after the European front was conquered. A message containing Zimmerman's intent was decoded by the British and sent to the US, further swaying Americans to action. Due primarily to submarine warfare and the Zimmerman note, President Wilson asked Congress for permission to go to war, and on April 6, 1917, congress officially declared it. President Wilson, along with many Americans, justified their involvement as "an act of high principle and idealism...[and]...as a crusade to make the world safe for democracy." (
How did Alliances lead up to WW1
without alliances WW1 would merely have been a short war between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, the alliance system dragged all of Europe into that insignificant conflict, first Germany and Russia and then the British and French a few days later. It was what made a small war a major world conflict
What were the Ideology reasons that led to the US entering WWI
•President Wilson wanted to make the world safe for democracy ("Wilson's War Address to Congress"). •It was partly for idealistic reasons (propaganda was not seen as an evil until after the Great War). The occupation of Belgium and the sinking of the Lusitania changed a lot people's minds in the US about Germany. •There was more to it than just the submarine warfare and the sinking of the Lusitania although those were the formal and legalistic reasons for declaring war. I think that over time a moral sense had developed that Britain and France were fighting the good fight for freedom against a genuine evil. If that sense had not existed I think the US would have let the Lusitania pass. As it was, it was nearly two years after she was sunk that we finally did declare war.
What were the political reasons that led to the US entering WWI
•Propaganda from both sides influenced the American decision. •Woodrow Wilson did not want to go to war but when Teddy Roosevelt decided to run for another term, Wilson felt threatened and announced that there would be a preparedness program and possibly that the country would go to war. •By entering the war, the US got to flex its muscles on the world stage and establish itself as a world power. •After both sides of the Mexican civil war demanded that our troops leave and public opinion badly swayed against US intervention in Mexico, Wilson had no choice but to withdraw. By having the threat of Germany helping Mexico fight back against him, Wilson knew he had to take action. He couldn't go back into Mexico because the American people would not allow it. He really had no beef with Germany, he just wanted to save face before Mexico could fight back.
