World War One: From Origins to Trench Warfare and US Neutrality

Initial Perception: Known as the Great War, it was hoped humanity had learned its lesson and wouldn't repeat such a conflict, thus avoiding the need to number it. The recurrence of global conflict led to it being designated World War I.
Woodrow Wilson's Political Journey:
- $1912$ Election: Wilson won, primarily campaigning on progressive movement policies and healthcare improvements.
- $1916$ Election: Wilson's focus shifted dramatically to an isolationist platform, pledging to keep the U.S. out of the ongoing European war, campaigning with slogans like "War in Europe, Peace in America, God Bless Wilson" or "He has kept us out of war." He was not considered a liar, but rather admired for his attempt to avoid war.
- Policy Inconsistencies (Flip-Flopping):
  - In $1912$ , he won against Teddy Roosevelt on a progressive platform, but then implemented policies similar to Roosevelt's proposals.
  - In $1916$ , he won promising neutrality, but the U.S. became involved in World War I just one year later.

Start Date: World War I began in Europe in $1914$ .
Complex Causes: A very complicated series of events primarily driven by issues of land and power.
- Expansionism & Tensions: European countries (Great Britain, France, Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire) engaged in expansionism, growing their territories, which created competition and significant tensions.
- Complicated Alliances: A complex web of alliances (Central Powers and Allies) meant that a conflict involving two nations could quickly escalate. For example, if Germany was allied with Austria-Hungary and the leader of Bulgaria was related to another country in an alliance, a declaration of war by one participant could trigger a domino effect, drawing many countries into the war.
- Catalyst: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, initiating the ripple effect that ballooned into a true world war.

Allied Powers: The primary initial members were Russia, France, and Britain. The United States eventually joined, forming the