M.A.I.N. causes of WWI

Alsace and Lorraine

provinces on the border of Germany and France, lost by France to Germany in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War; regained by France after WWI

manufacturing

the use of machines to produce mass quantities of goods

"Victors Peace"

winner of war makes rules on what's right/wrong according to their own perspective for them AND the enemy

Fourteen Points

A peace program presented to the U.S. Congress by President Woodrow Wilson in January 1918. It called for the evacuation of German-occupied lands, the drawing of borders and the settling of territorial disputes by the self-determination of the affected populations, and the founding of an association of nations to preserve the peace. It was rejected by Germany, but it made Wilson the moral leader of the Allies in the last year of World War I.

imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially. This led to the creation of a number of European empires which extended around the world.

militarism

A policy of glorifying military power and keeping a standing army always prepared for war

nationalism

A sense of unity binding the people of a state together; devotion to the interests of a particular country or nation, an identification with the state and an acceptance of national goals.

War of Attrition

A war based on wearing the other side down by constant attacks and heavy losses

total war

A war that involves the complete mobilization of resources and people, affecting the lives of all citizens in the warring countries, even those remote from the battlefields.

What was the major result of American participation in WWI?

After the United States refused to join the League of Nations, America returned to isolationism.

What was one of the causes for America entering into WWI?

Germans began sinking ships of neutral countries such as the Lusitania. The United States wanted to defend freedom of the seas.

Example of Militarism

Germany and Britain competed to build the largest, most powerful army and navy. Military leaders believed it better to attack first rather than to wait to be attacked.

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire

Allied Powers

Great Britain, France, Belgium and Russia

propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

self-determination

The freedom of a people to decide under what form of government they wish to live

Pan-Slavism

The idea that Slavic peoples should identify with each other and have their own nation. Heavily promoted by Russia at the end of the 19th century as a way to promote her own imperialistic aspirations in the Balkans and to identify culturally and politically with the Slavic peoples of eastern Europe.

What were the causes of WWI

The main causes of WWI were nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and the system of alliances.

Woodrow Wilson

28th president of the United States, known for World War I leadership: Treaty of Versailles, sought 14 points post-war plan, League of Nations (but failed to win U.S. ratification), won Nobel Peace Prize

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat on May 7, 1915. 128 Americans died. The sinking greatly turned American opinion against the Germans, helping the move towards entering the war.

ration

A limited portion or allowance of food or goods like gasoline and boots

Zimmerman note

A note intercepted by the US, originally sent from Germany to Mexico saying that if Mexico can keep the US out of the Great War then Germany would help Mexico regain its territories taken from the US like New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

reparations

As part of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was ordered to pay fines to the Allies to repay the costs of the war. Opposed by the U.S., it quickly led to a severe depression in Germany.

Schlieffen Plan

Attack named after the German General, proposed a lightning quick attack against France. Proposed to go through (neutral) Belgium then attack France

David Lloyd George

Britain's prime minister at the end of World War I whose goal was to make the Germans pay for the other countries' staggering war losses

Georges Clemenceau

French leader who played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles (1841-1929)

Gavrilo Princip

Member of a terrorist organization called The Black Hand. Helped to end the optimistic Progressive era in America. Murdered Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Wanted to set Bosnia free from Austria-Hungary

Provide an example of how nationalism caused WWI.

Nationalism caused rivalries between France, Britain, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Ethnic groups in Austria-Hungary demanded their own national states- threatening the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

What is Nationalism?

Nationalism occurs when the citizens of a country exhibit strong loyalty and devotion to their nation.

What is isolationism?

Refusing to become involved in the affairs of other countries.

What is the System of Alliances?

Repeated agreements that one country holds with others.

Sarajevo

The Balkan town in the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia where Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne

What event triggered WWI?

The main event that sparked the fighting in Europe was the assassination of archduke Ferdinand, of Austria Hungary. Austria Hungary blamed the Serbs for his death and began fighting.

What is the main purpose of alliances?

The main purpose of alliances is to help/get help from other countries during times of war.

Paris Peace Conference

The peace conference that decided the terms of WWI peace and Treaty of Versailles.

What is Imperialism?

The practice of extending the power of country by acquiring territories and areas.

Example of how Imperialism played into the causes of WWI.

The same European countries who promoted Nationalism were also competing for territory in Asia and Africa.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Treaty that ended World War I; it was much harder on Germany than Wilson wanted and set stage for Hitler's rise of power in Germany in 1930s.

Spanish Flu

Unprecedentedly lethal influenza epidemic of 1918 that killed more than 22 million people worldwide.

ultimatum

a final demand or statement of terms (Austria sent to Serbia)

conscription

a military draft

alliance

a union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations.

Armistice

an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time; a truce.

war fatigue

collapses of morale in WWI that led to peace, war was seen as unnecessary,and left people bitter. Huge casualties and food shortages and also led to the denouncement of the leaders who actions led to war

contraband

during wartime, military supplies and raw materials needed to make military supplies that may legally be confiscated