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Nationalism Begins
People started to believe that nations should express nationalism as a single ethnic group. It is responsible for the destabilizing of old multinational empires. It is also responsible for the racism that took place in nations. Nationalism sentiments of the era moved over into the economic goals of each nation. Most citizens were proud of the cultural, economic, and military supremacy of their nations. -
Imperialism Spreads
Imperialism in many countries was regarded as being great and wealthy. The industrialized nations were fighting to take control of lands that were plentiful in raw materials and space available for military bases. They took colonies from Africa, the Pacific Islands and some form China. The United States for instance took over the Philippines, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and a few islands in the pacific. -
The Major Alliances
One alliance included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy called the Triple Alliance. If one of them was at war with two or more nations, the alliance would aid them. The other alliance included France, Russia, and Britain called the Triple Entente. France and Britain signed an Anglo-French Naval Convention that promised they would defend naval interests for each other. The alliances created a system where if one country declared war on another then all countries would enter the war. -
Militarism Makes it Deadly
The pride in the military further helped in continuing the arms race. The arms race was a competition between all countries on who could create the biggest and best military force. The build of this arms race made it certain that the next war would be have more troops and more advanced weapons. Militarism created an environment that made it seem better to fight rather than negotiate. -
Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
The Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife traveled to Sarajevo. They believed that Francis Ferdinand was a tyrant and that Bosnia belonged to Serbia. A Serbian nationalist, Nedjelko Cabrinovic, threw a bomb at their car but it rolled of and injured others. The driver made a wrong turn onto a street where Gavrilo Princip, a conspirator, noticed them. He pulled out a pistol and shot the archduke and his wife. They both died within an hour trying to receive help. -
Germany's Blank Check
The Austrian Foreign Ministry sent an envoy with a memorandum and a personal letter. These pieces stressed the importance of building an alliance between Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. The two documents were given to Kaiser Wilhelm. Kaiser Wilhelm ll of Germany pledged his country’s support to Austria-Hungary’s choice in the conflict. Kaiser’s pledge which is also is referred to carte blanche or black check assurance was Kaiser’s agreement to aid Austria-Hungary in the war. -
World War I Begins
Austria-Hungary wanted the cooperation of Serbia in the investigation of the assassination and for Serbia to get rid of terrorist organizations. Serbia refused so Austria-Hungary declared war on them. Russia was getting ready for war so Germany declared war on them. In response, France declared war on Germany. Then Germany declared war on neutral Belgium so that they could invade France. The war had begun and Germany had an active role in pushing the war further. -
The Sinking of Lusitania
Great Britain began to blockade Germany so they couldn’t get essential supplies. In response, Germany tried to blockade Britain but they couldn’t so instead they began sinking allied ships that were carrying supplies. German sank the British passenger liner Lusitania killing over 1,100 people including more than 120 Americans. The United States was a trading partner with Great Britain. Germany also announced unrestricted submarine warfare in the Water surrounding Britain. -
Zimmerman Telegram
German foreign minister Arthur Zimmerman sent a telegram to Mexico. It was intervened and encrypted by British codebreakers and was meant for Heinrich Von Eckardt, German ambassador of Mexico. The telegram was a proposal to Mexico that if the United States declares war on Germany then Mexico should declare war on the United States. Germany would give Mexico the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona which Mexico had lost in 1848. Britain relayed the telegram to the United States. -
Germany's Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany promised not to sink anymore ships in order to keep the United States out of the war. They broke their promise when they sank the French passenger ship Sussex. They once again promised to not sink any more ships in the Sussex Pledge but it didn’t last long. On January 8, 1917 Kaiser Wilhelm, army, and naval leaders presented their argument. Bethmann Hollweg went to the German Reichstag government and announced that unrestricted submarine warfare would resume again. -
The United States Enters the War
President Wilson went to Congress and requested to declare war on Germany on April 2, 1917. Congress granted his request by declaring war on Germany. The United States entry into the war helped to counterbalance the additional German forces after Russia decided to leave the war. Americans fought very hard against Germany and weakened them severely. The German force was falling apart by the fall of 1918. Germany finally surrendered on November 11, 1918. -
Effects of World War I
The result from the war was 5 million allied and 8 million Central Power troop casualties. There was also 6.5 million civilian deaths from the war. Many people didn’t trust political leaders and government officials. Disillusionment began because people believed the government didn’t know how to serve the interests of the people. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles created new nations. They contained ethnic groups that were mixed randomly. The effects of World War I would be felt for years. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was written by the Allies to officially end the war. It reassigned the German territories and mad them pay reparations. The third part created a demilitarized zone. The fifth part forced its military to be at very low levels and they couldn’t have certain classes of weapons. The German people felt that the treaty was too harsh especially German Americans and many were very unhappy with it. The Treaty of Versailles was finally signed by German government ending the war. -
Dawes Plan and Young Plan
Germany had to make reparation but was not able to. The Dawes Plan would have Germany’s reparation payments reduced and gradually increasing over time when their economy was stable. Foreign banks lent Germany money in order to stimulate economy. A final deal was needed so another committee was formed. The committee proposed to reduce the total amount of reparations from Germany to $29 billion. The Great Depression resulted in the reparations being cancelled so the depression would end. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression began in 1929. There was a farmer depression, wealth being unevenly distributed, and a large credit debt. The stock market also began to fall. The stock market eventually crashed in October 29, 1929. People began to withdraw their money from banks which caused many banks to go under and consumer spending to go down. Production cutbacks and layoffs began. Unemployment rose. Tariffs were raised on imported goods but nations raised the tariffs on American goods. -
Rise of Adolf Hitler
Germany was left with large debts and a failing economy. Adolf Hitler appeared and he had a way of speaking that created a large support for the Nazi Party. He was first put in charge of the party’s propaganda and in July 1921 he became the leader. He promised of a better life and a better more prosperous Germany. Some of his ideas included inequality of the races. He went to prison and stability regained from the war but depression hit Germany. Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany.
