2/7/2013
WWI Part 1
Neutrality to War: Causes, Reasons
for Entry, Technology
1
2/7/2013
What Caused the War?
• Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand
sparked the outbreak of WWI
• Underlying causes include the European
Alliance system and the growth of
nationalism, leading to military build-ups
• U.S. remained neutral until events in 1917
convinced Americans to fight with the Allies
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XPZQ0LAlR4
Learning Goals
• Identify the causes of World War I and reasons
for U.S. entry.
• Analyze the impact of significant technological
innovations in World War I.
Allied and Central Powers
• When WWI broke out, Europe divided into the
Allies and the Central Powers
2
2/7/2013
• War at sea started with the
British blockade of German
ports
• Germans fought back with
U-Boats, sinking enemy and
neutral vessels without
warning
U-Boats
Sussex Pledge
• Germany agreed to stop sinking merchant
ships without warning if the United States
helps end the illegal British blockade
• Wilson rejected the condition, Germany did
not keep the pledge
3
2/7/2013
Preparedness Movement
• As anger over American
deaths at sea grew, some
called for the country to
prepare for war
• Although Wilson won reelection on the slogan, “He
kept us out of war,” he was
already preparing the
country to fight by building
up the army and navy
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
• In a desperate bid to end
the conflict, Germany
announced in early 1917
that it would resume
unrestricted submarine
warfare
Zimmerman Telegram
• Called for cooperation
between Mexico and
Germany to take back
territory
• Soon after its
publication, the United
States declared war
4
2/7/2013
Complete the
analysis worksheet.
Check for Understanding
On the back of your worksheet …
1. What caused World War I?
2. List three reasons the United States entered
the war.
Machine Gun
5
2/7/2013
Trench Warfare
Mustard Gas
Shooting Down the Zeppelins
6
2/7/2013
WWI Tanks
Why would this design be necessary?
Stalemate
• When neither side can strategically win
7