World war 1 duh

Militarism

European nations built up armies and navies; an arms race created tension.

Alliances

Countries formed alliances for protection and out of suspicion of each other.

Triple Alliance

Germany

Triple Entente

France

Imperialism

Competition for colonies and power increased rivalry among European nations.

Nationalism

Pride and loyalty to one’s nation; ethnic groups wanted independence.

Economic Inequality

Uneven growth and industrial competition between nations.

Otto von Bismarck

German leader who first created the alliance system and increased European tensions.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Heir to Austria-Hungary whose assassination triggered World War I.

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Occurred June 28

Black Hand

Serbian nationalist group responsible for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia

Triggered the alliance system and began World War I.

Russia and Germany

Russia backed Serbia while Germany backed Austria-Hungary

Kaiser Wilhelm II

German emperor who supported Austria-Hungary in the war.

Czar Nicholas II

Russian leader who supported Serbia in the war.

The Schlieffen Plan

Germany’s plan to quickly defeat France and the UK by invading through Belgium

Failure of the Schlieffen Plan

Invading Belgium made Germany look like the aggressor and brought Britain into the war.

Allied Powers

France

Central Powers

Germany

U.S. Neutrality

The U.S. stayed neutral at first

American Public Opinion

Many Americans supported the Central Powers

U.S. Trade and Investment

The Allies borrowed heavily from American banks; if they lost

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Germany’s use of U-boats to sink ships without warning

Lusitania

British passenger ship sunk by Germany in 1915; over 1

President Woodrow Wilson

Re-elected in 1916 with the slogan “He kept us out of war

Zimmerman Note

1917 telegram from Germany to Mexico promising U.S. land if Mexico joined the Central Powers; intercepted and published.

“Make the World Safe for Democracy”

Wilson’s reason for entering the war — to fight for democracy after Russia’s exit.

U.S. Declaration of War

The U.S. declared war on Germany in April 1917

A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Force)

U.S. troops fought under American command and were trained for fast

Main Reasons for U.S. Entry (S.Z.W.)

S – Submarine warfare