Transcript Slide 1
4 long-term causes of WWI: •Imperialism – strong countries want to control weaker countries •Nationalism – strong feelings of pride in your country •Militarism – willing to build up and use your military •Alliances – make agreements to protect each other (Who’s your friend?) Immediate cause of WWI: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Serbian Gavrilo Princip Serbia wanted to be independent, to be out from under Austria-Hungary’s rule. After the assassination, Austria-Hungary gave Serbia an ultimatum, which they did not accept. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The alliance system went into effect, and countries started declaring war on each other. Ferdinand Foch – Commander of Allied Forces in Europe Gen. John “Black Jack” Pershing – Commander of U.S. Forces Gen. Paul von HindenburgGermany German advance is stopped at Battle of the Marne (Aug. 6-12, 1914) - trench warfare begins; stalemate occurs Selective Service Act (May 18, 1917) All men aged 21-30 were required to register for the military draft, which is a law requiring people of a certain age to serve in the military. A conscientious objector is someone who objects to war for religious or moral reasons. They must prove this. A “CO” is often given a non-combat job in the military. Many Native Americans were not citizens, so they couldn’t be drafted. At first African-Americans were not allowed in combat. Even though this policy was abandoned, black and white troops were segregated. For many of the soldiers, going off to war was the first time they had gone away from home. Some came from very poor families, and this was the first time they would have regular meals. Some had never used indoor plumbing before. About 25% were illiterate. Because the U.S. had to supply its Army, factories and farmers began to produce more. The War Industries Board told factories what they had to produce; it also divided up limited resources. The War Labor Board settled disputes over working hours and wages and tried to prevent strikes. On the homefront, women, African-Americans, and immigrants had more opportunities for employment. On the homefront, there was prejudice against anything German. Saurkraut became known as “liberty cabbage.” Streets with German names were changed. Some immigrants from Central Power countries were attacked. The U.S. passed The Espionage Act of May 16, 1918, part of which reads “…whoever, when the United States is at war, shall willfully cause…or incite…insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States or shall willfully utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States, or the military or naval forces of the United States, or the flag…or by word or act oppose the cause of the United States therein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both…” Treaty of Brest-Litovsk - signed in March, 1918 - Russia’s peace treaty with the Central Powers - Russia leaves the war early because there was a revolution in Russia. They couldn’t fight a revolution and fight in the war both. America’s entry into WWI gave the Allies a boost. There were fresh soldiers and new energy. The Central Powers did not have this. Also, their civilian populations were experiencing hardships like lack of food and heat. By early 1918, the Central Powers were experiencing defeats on the battlefield. Also, in the spring of 1918, the influenza pandemic had started in Europe, eventually killing 20-40 million worldwide by its end in 1919.. In January, 1918, Pres. Wilson had presented to Congress his ideas for a peace plan for the war. They were called the Fourteen Points. It was meant to prevent the kinds of problems that had caused WWI. It called for no secret agreements, freedom of the seas and trade, limiting arms, self-determination (right of a country to govern itself), and a League of Nations (like the UN). The Central Powers collapsed. Bulgaria surrendered in September 29, 1918, Turkey on October 30, and Austria-Hungary on November 3. As the German army continued to be pushed back, there was mutiny in the German navy, and Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated (gave up) the throne. The government finally came to an agreement on an armistace (an agreement to stop fighting). It became effective at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918. The Big Four decided terms for the Treaty of Versailles. Georges ClemenceauDavid Lloyd GeorgeFrance England Vittorio OrlandoWoodrow WilsonItaly U.S. The Treaty of Versailles punished Germany. •Germany had to pay $300 billion in reparations (money the loser pays the winner for damages caused in the war). •Germany lost her overseas colonies. •Germany had to reduce the size of its army. •Germany had to take total blame for the war. World War I changed Europe. It eliminated dynasties and empires. New countries were formed, and other countries ceased to exist. Europe was no longer a continent of monarchs and monarchies. Rather, democracy and socialism will be the two dominant forms of government.