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Overall Causes of WWI
Militarism – European countries built up massive armies and navies.
Alliances – Secret treaties led to a tangled web of alliances.
Imperialism – Competition for colonies increased tensions.
Nationalism – Extreme pride in one’s country created rivalries
Slogans used in WW1
'“We want you” ; “We can do it”
Names for WW1
 “Family Feud”
  “Fall of the Eagles”
  “The War to End All Wars”
  “Make the World Safe for Democracy”
Steps leading to war
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914).
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
Russia supported Serbia.
Germany supported Austria-Hungary.
France and Britain joined, leading to a full-scale war.
Who were the Allies
Britain
France
Russia (left in 1917)
Italy (joined later)
United States (joined in 1917)
Japan
Who were the central powers
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Bulgaria
Importance of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
He was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
His assassination by a Serbian nationalist (Gavrilo Princip) triggered WWI.
Austria-Hungary used it as an excuse to declare war on Serbia.
The Schlieffen Plan
Germany’s strategy to avoid a two-front war.
Plan: Attack France first (through Belgium), then focus on Russia.
It failed because:
Belgium resisted.
Britain entered the war.
Russia mobilized faster than expected.
Brinkmanship
Pushing a conflict to the edge of war to force the enemy to back down.
Attrition
Wearing down the enemy through continuous losses (WWI was a war of attrition).
Importance of the Balkans
Called the "Powder Keg of Europe" because of ethnic tensions.
Serbia wanted independence, Austria-Hungary wanted control.
Many nationalist movements led to conflicts.
Misconceptions Going into WWI
The war would be short (expected to end by Christmas).
Cavalry and old tactics would still work (new weapons made them useless).
Glory and heroism would define the war (it was brutal and deadly).
New Weapons Used in WWI
Machine guns – Rapid fire, deadly in trench warfare.
Poison gas – Mustard gas, chlorine gas.
Tanks – First used by the British.
Airplanes – Used for reconnaissance and bombing.
Submarines (U-boats) – Used by Germany to attack ships.
Flamethrowers – Used in trench attacks.
Trench Warfare
Soldiers fought in deep trenches to avoid machine guns and artillery.
Led to stalemates because neither side could advance.
Conditions:
Trench foot from waterlogged trenches.
Rats and lice spread disease.
No Man’s Land – The deadly area between trenches.
The Western Front
Located in France and Belgium.
Most of the war’s major battles took place here (e.g., Battle of the Somme, Verdun).
Important because it was the main front between Germany and the Allies.
The Eastern Front
Located in Russia, Poland, and Eastern Europe.
More mobile than the Western Front (not as many trenches).
Russia struggled due to lack of industrialization.
Why America Entered WWI
Unrestricted submarine warfare – Germany sank U.S. ships (e.g., Lusitania).
Zimmerman Telegram – Germany tried to get Mexico to attack the U.S.
Economic ties – The U.S. traded more with Britain and France.
“Make the world safe for democracy” – Wilson’s reason for joining the war.
Examples of WWI Propaganda
Posters – "Uncle Sam Wants You!" recruitment posters.
Films and speeches – Encouraged war bonds and enlistment.
Demonization of the enemy – Germans called "Huns" to make them seem barbaric.
Three Goals of Propaganda
Recruitment – Convince men to join the military.
Funding the war – Get people to buy war bonds.
Boost morale and demonize the enemy – Make people support the war effort.
Leader of Russia
Nicholas II
Leader of Britain
George V
Leader of France
Pres. Poincare
Leader of Italy
Victor Emmanuel II
Leader of Germany
Wilhem II
Leader of the Ottoman Empire
Enver Pasha
Leader of Austria-Hungary
Franz Josef
Note 
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