Causes of World War I and Reasons for US Entry

Unpack the pivotal events and reasons behind World War I and America's decision to join the conflict. Essential for understanding WWI.

Causes of World War I Watch the video and use the infographic to fill in the blanks. In the years leading up to World War One, many European countries were competing against one another in order to make their countries great, building up their armies, navies and weapons(militarism). Countries who had been at war against one another in the late 1800s already had a sense of hatred towards the others leading up to WWI. Countries at odds with other countries made alliances or agreements with those that shared common goals and had common enemies. Imperialist (stronger countries taking over weaker countries) competition between European powers in the 1800s had strained relationships as well. Finally, there was a growing sense of nationalism (pride in one’s country) in European countries leading up to WWI. Everyone thought their country was number one...and were eager to prove it. Document 1: Europe 1914 Map Document A: Woodrow Wilson Speech #1 (Modified) The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that some will wish one nation, others another, to succeed in the momentous struggle.Such divisions among us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one nation ready to play a part of mediator and counselor of peace.The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action.Source: President Woodrow Wilson, in a speech before Congress, August 19, 1914. Causes of World War I Match the Cause of World War I to the correct definition Militarism The policy of building up arsenals of weapons and technology and keeping a large standing army. Alliances The forming of relationships with other countries with the promise to intervene militarily if conflict erupted with one of the countries. Imperialism Competition for colonies also pushed countries into conflict with each other. The possibility of winning another countries colonies motivated countries to enter the war. Nationalism Extreme pride in people’s country or nationality influenced rash actions (assassination attempts) and motivated people to go to war. Assasination Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were murdered in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Bosnian Serbian nationalist terrorist organization the ‘Black Hand Gang.’ Ferdinand’s death, which was interpreted as a product of official Serbian policy, created the July Crisis – a month of diplomatic and governmental miscalculations that saw a domino effect of war declarations initiated. Causes of World War I Matching Match the cause of World War I with the definition. Militarism The policy of building up arsenals of weapons and technology and keeping a large standing army. Alliances The forming of relationships with other countries with the promise to intervene militarily if conflict erupted with one of the countries. Imperialism Competition for colonies also pushed countries into conflict with each other. The possibility of winning another countries colonies motivated countries to enter the war. Nationalism Extreme pride in one's country or nationality influenced rash actions (assassination attempts) and motivated people to go to war. Assassination The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was the powder keg that started the war. According to the map, which countries were part of the Triple Entente? Does Wilson think the United States should enter World War I? Why or why not? American Neutrality The US remained largely isolationist (alone) with regard to Europe. When World War I began, President Woodrow Wilson adhered to that policy.However events in Europe challenged American neutrality (not taking sides). In 1915, Germany declared the waters around Britain a war zone. When the British passenger liner Lusitanianeared the end of its journey, a U-boat (German submarine) torpedoed and sank it. Some 1.200 passengers were killed, including more than 100 Americans. Americans were outraged. American Neutrality The US remained largely isolationist (alone) with regard to Europe. When World War I began, President Woodrow Wilson adhered to that policy.However events in Europe challenged American neutrality (not taking sides). In 1915, Germany declared the waters around Britain a war zone. When the British passenger linerLusitanianeared the end of its journey, a U-boat (German submarine) torpedoed and sank it. Some 1.200 passengers were killed, including more than 100 Americans. Americans were outraged. According to the map, which countries were part of the Central Powers? Document B: Woodrow Wilson Speech #2 (Modified) Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind.The German policy has swept every restriction aside. Ships of every kind, whatever their flag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their errand, have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom of the ocean without warning. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken.I advise that the Congress declare the recent actions of the Imperial German Government to be, in fact, nothing less than war against the Government and people of the United States.Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved.The world must be made safe for democracy. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek not material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind.It is a fearful, but right thing to lead this great peaceful people to war. We shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts – for democracy, for the right of [people] to have a voice in their own government, for the rights and liberties of small nations.Source: President Woodrow Wilson, in a speech before Congress, April 2, 1917. Woodrow Wilson Declaration of War On the cartoon answer the question-Which reason for US entry into WWI is the cartoon referring to? Woodrow Wilson's Declaration of War Click on the Blue dot and answer this question: What reason for US entry is Woodrow Wilson referring to in this political cartoon? Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Watch this video to help you analyze document set 2 Make an inference: Which alliance would the US be most likely to join and why? Use the 1917 speech to “imagine the setting.” (a) What does Wilson accuse Germany of doing? (b) Do you think this is a good reason to go to war? (c) What additional information would you need to have before making a decision? Zimmerman Telegram In early 1917, Americans learned of the Zimmerman Telegram, a message from a German official to the Mexican government. The message proposed an alliance. If Mexico would join the war on Germany's side, Germany offered the return of US land that had once been part of Mexico. Shortly after this incident, Germany announced that it was resuming unrestricted submarine warfare. These acts led the US to declare war and join the Allies in April 1917. Zimmerman Telegram In early 1917, Americans learned of the Zimmerman Telegram, a message from a German official to the Mexican government. The message proposed an alliance. If Mexico would join the war on Germany's side, Germany offered the return of US land that had once been part of Mexico. Shortly after this incident, Germany announced that it was resuming unrestricted submarine warfare. These acts led the US to declare war and join the Allies in April 1917. Document 2: US Exports (trade) to EuropeRemember UK stands for United Kingdom or England. Document C: Textbook Excerpt on US entry into WWI In January 1917, Germany reversed its policy on submarine warfare. It announced that it would sink on sight all merchant vessels, armed or unarmed, sailing to Allied ports. While realizing that their policy might bring the Americans into war, the Germans believed they could defeat the Allies before the United States became heavily involved. An angry president Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.A few weeks later, a secret telegram- intercepted by the British government- set off a new wave of anti-German feeling. In late February the German foreign minister, Arthur Zimmerman, sent a telegram to Mexico with an offer to the Mexican government.Newspapers published the secret Zimmerman telegram on March 1, and the Americans reacted angrily to the German action.Source: The American Journey, New York: Glencoe 2003. Based on your readings above fill in the 3rd Reason for US entry into WWI German actions that led the United States to enter World War I included the sinking of the Lusitania, the Zimmerman telegram, and a return of unrestricted submarine warfare. Based on your readings above fill in the 3rd reason for US entry into WWI German actions that led the United States to enter World War I included the sinking of the Lusitania, the Zimmerman telegram, and a return of unrestricted submarine warfare. According to the graph, did the US export (sell) more products to the UK(England) or Germany? What are TWO reasons that the textbook gives for why the US entered the war? Woodrow Wilson's Message to Congress, 1917 The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. Woodrow Wilson's Message to Congress, 1917 The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. Looking at the graph, what is the change that happens between 1914 and 1915? Document D: Historian Howard ZinnHoward Zinn was a historian and activist who is best known today as the author of A People’s History of the United States, a book that tells American history from the perspective of people of color, women, and poor people. The book is very critical of the United States government. President Woodrow Wilson had promised that the United States would stay neutral in the war. . . . But in April of 1917, the Germans had announced they would have their submarines sink any ship bringing supplies to their enemies; and they had sunk a number of merchant vessels. Wilson now said he must stand by the right of Americans to travel on merchant ships in the war zone. . . .As Richard Hofstadter points out (The American Political Tradition): “This was rationalization of the flimsiest sort. . . . The British had also been intruding on the rights of American citizens on the high seas, but Wilson was not suggesting we go to war with them. . . .The United States claimed the Lusitania carried an innocent cargo, and therefore the torpedoing was a monstrous German atrocity. Actually, the Lusitania was heavily armed: it carried 1,248 cases of 3-inch shells, 4,927 boxes of cartridges (1,000 rounds in each box), and 2,000 more cases of small-arms ammunition. . . . The British and American governments lied about the cargo. . . .Prosperity depended much on foreign markets, it was believed by the leaders of the country. In 1897, private foreign investments of the United States amounted to $700 million dollars. By 1914, they were $3.5 billion. . . .With World War I, England became more and more a market for American goods and for loans at interest. J.P. Morgan and Company acted as agents for the Allies and when, in 1915, Wilson lifted the ban on private bank loans to the Allies, Morgan could now begin lending money in such great amounts as to both make great profit and tie American finance closely to the interest of a British victory in the war against Germany. What is Woodrow Wilson's argument for why the US should join World War I? What is Woodrow Wilson's argument for why the United States should join WWI? Make an inference: According to this document what alliance (Triple Entente or Central Powers)would the United States join and why? Why does Zinn claim that Wilson made a flimsy argument? Match the event based on whether it is a Cause of World War I or a Reason the US joined the War. Causes of WWI Militarism Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Imperialism Nationalism Alliances Reasons for US Entry Sinking of the Lusitania Zimmerman Telegram Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Close Ties with the Allies Sort the choices based on whether they are a REASON FOR US ENTRY or a CAUSE OF WWI Reason for US Entry Sinking of the Lusitania Zimmerman Telegram Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Make the World Safe for Democracy Causes of WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism Assassination Sinking of the Lusitania This video will help you analyze the documents below (Document 3 set). Make sure to watch this before you analyze the docs! Document 3: The LusitaniaUse this newspaper notice to answer the question that follows. According to the German warning, why should American passengers be cautious about riding on the Lusitania? Use the newspaper headline to answer the question that follows. According to the headline, what was the result of the sinking of the Lusitania? Inference…Although the Lusitania was sunk in 1915, and it angered many Americans, the government refused to go to war. Why do you think the country remained out of the war for two more years? US Enters WWI Watch to help you analyze Document 4 and Document 5 set. Document 4: Zimmerman Telegram What is Mexico being asked to do and what would they get in return? Make an inference: Which country is likely sending this telegram? Support your answer with evidence. Why do you think the Germans resorted to sending this message? What can it tell us about their situation in 1917? Document 5: President Woodrow Wilson Asks Congress to Declare War; April 2, 1917 What was the main purpose of this speech? According to the speech what is one reason Woodrow Wilson gives for going to war? Self-Assess yourself on Success Criteria 2:I can analyze primary sources to identify their point of view about the reasons the US entered WWI.