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Imperialism
One of the main causes of the First World War was imperialism. Imperialism being defined as a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Imperialism was an unequal relationship, forced on other countries and peoples. In the late 1800's, imperial rivalry was present throughout Europe, contributing to prewar tensions. -
Nationalism
Nationalism (as of dictionary.com) is “a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism.” In the early 1900s, nationalism created a fierce competition and rivalry between European powers. These powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and France. They measured their success as a nation by beating the others both militarily and economically. -
Militarism
Militarism was a significant force in several European nations in the years prior to World War I. Governments were strongly influenced by military leaders and their priorities. Generals and admirals advised political leaders to lean domestic policy into their favor and demand increases in defense and arms spending. Militarism shaped culture, and created an environment where war was considered the only way to solve disputes. -
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Wife, Sophie
On June, 28 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, next in line for the Austro-Hungarian throne, is shot to death along with his wife by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The day of June 28, Ferdinand and his wife were coming back from a trip to Town Hall. His driver took a wrong turn and started to back up. Suddenly, an assassin named Gavrilo Princip began firing at point-blank range. He fired twice, hitting the Archduke and his wife Sophie, eventually killing both. -
Germany's Blank Check to Austria-Hungary
On July 5, 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany pledges his country’s unconditional support for whatever action Austria-Hungary chooses to take in its conflict with Serbia. A conflict caused by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife by a Serbian nationalist. -
WWI Begins
Before WW1 was triggered, Britain, France and Russia formed the Triple Entente, an alliance. On July 28, 1914 Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated. His death at the hands of Gavrilo Princip – a Serbian nationalist, is what triggered the war. After the assassination, Austria-Hungary threatened war on Serbia. As the war went on, further acts of aggression drew other countries, including the United States, into the conflict. -
Sinking of Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, less than a year after WWI erupted, a German U-boat sunk the British passenger ship Lusitania. Horrifically, over 1,000 passengers were killed, including 128 Americans. This event infuriated the American people. Although the ship was carrying military equipment, the passengers weren't warned before the attack. This Sinking of Lusitania further increased anti-German sentiment in the United States and those abroad. -
Zimmerman Telegram
In January of 1917, a German Foreign Minister sent a telegram to Mexico trying to persuade them to declare war on the US, if the US were to declare war on Germany. In return, Mexico would be able to gain back territory lost in the Mexican-American War. Unfortunately for the Germans, the US found out about the telegram via British intelligence. Soon after, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and its allies. -
Germany's Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917. They stated that anybody (including civilian ships) who passed the Atlantic War Zone would be attacked. Hours after that announcement, the American liner Housatonic was sunk by a German ship. Germans began sinking U.S. merchant vessels without warning. -
The United States Enters the War
There were many events that supposedly led the US to enter World War I. Many Americans were not in favor of the U.S. entering war and wanted to remain neutral. However, we eventually did enter on April 6, 1917. The war impacted economical, social, and political changes to the U.S. Homes and industries in America were unharmed from the war. Technology had advanced, and production and efficiency in industries and factories had increased. -
Alliances
The Allied Powers in World War I consisted of France, Russia, Great Britain, Japan, Italy and the United States.They fought against a group of European countries known as the Central Powers. The Triple Alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The Triple Entente was created by Britain, France, and Russia. The Triple Entente was joined by Japan and unofficially by the United States later in the war. -
The Effects of WWI
WWI was one of the most destructive wars in history. Over 38 million military and civilian casualties. 17 million were dead and 20 million wounded. With the Treaty of Versailles signed, nine new nations were created: Finland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The US was considered the world industrial leader and economy was booming. However, protests and strikes erupted due to inflation, reduction of wages and laying off of workers. -
Treaty of Versailles
World War I officially ended after the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. The Treaty was negotiated by Allied powers, with little help from Germany. Viewing Germany as the prime instigator of the war, European Allied powers imposed harsh punishments upon them. The Treaty told Germans to "accept the responsibility for causing all the loss and damage" of the war. Germany was forced to disarm, give up land to France, and to pay reparations. -
Dawes Plan and Young Plan
The Dawes Plan was an attempt in 1924 to solve the World War I reparations problem by collecting German payments. Under the Dawes Plan, Germany’s annual reparation payments would be reduced, increasing over time as its economy improved. The Young Plan of 1929 was a revision of Germany's WWI reparation payments. However, hardly after the Young Plan started operation, the world depression began. Their Weimar Republic became weak, and Germany's ability to pay slowly, but surely vanished. -
The Great Depression
In the United States, the Great Depression soon began after the stock market crash on October of 1929. The crash sent Wall Street into hysteria and wiped out millions of investors. During this time, many people were out of work, homeless, and hungry. Although the Depression began in the United States, it soon spread throughout the entire world. Many give various causes of the event, including drought, overproduction of goods, bank failures, stock speculation, and consumer debt. -
The Rise of Hitler
The worldwide economic depression hit Germany especially hard. Millions were out of work and many lacked confidence in their weak government, especially since their humiliating defeat was still fresh in their minds. The economic distress provided a chance for the rise of a new leader, Adolf Hitler and his party, the Nazi party. The party's rise to power was rapid. In January of 1933 Hitler was appointed chancellor. Many Germans, and the German government believed that they had found a savior.
