Chapter 11-1

Although many Americans wanted to stay out of the European conflict U.S. involvement was inevitable

Historians generally cite 4 major causes of the war & U.S. involvement1. Nationalism2. Imperialism3. Militarism4. Secret Alliances

Throughout the 19th century politics were dominated by a great sense of nationalism or pride in ones nation/heritage

This often led to an intense sense of competition & rivalry

In Europe many different nationalities clamored for independence often looking to the larger more powerful nations for protection

Often these ethnic groups lived under the rule of different nations putting these nations in conflict with each other

For example Russia & Austria-Hungry contained large numbers of Slavs

For many centuries the nations of Europe had been spreading its influence & control over other peoples of the world

These colonies provided new markets & valuable raw materials

As countries industrialized the competition for these markets only intensified

The growth of nationalism & imperialism led to the growth of militarism or the growth of armed forces as a tool of diplomacy

In 1890 Germany had become superior as a ground force & Great Britain superior in Navel force

However by 1897 Germany had begun a navel buildup which would cause concern for GB

This would lead to a competition between the two for navel superiority

Shortly after the U.S., France, Japan, & Italy would join the race

In 1907 there were two major alliances, the Triple Entente, later known as the Allies, & The Triple Alliance, which would later become Central Powers

The Allies would include the U.S., GB, France, & Russia

The Triple Alliance or Central Powers would include Germany, Austria-Hungry, & Italy

The alliances would provide a measure of security for its members

The Balkan Peninsula was known as “the powder keg of Europe” because of ethnic rivalries

In edition many of Europe's most powerful nations sought a presence there as well

The spark that would set off the war would come from a dispute between Austria-Hungry, which had taken control of Bosnia, & Serbia

Serbia was accused of subverting AH rule over Bosnia

In June of 1914 the Archduke Ferdinand of Bosnia was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip of the Black Hand, an organization that was promoting Serbian independence

This would set off the spark that would ignite WWI

On August 3, 1914 Germany would invade Belgium following their plan which was known as the Schlieffen Plan

Under this plan Germany was to quickly defeat & proceed through France to capturing Paris & after the defeat of France turn its attention to Russia & defeat her

The Belgian's' were able to hold the Germans for a month allowing the Allies to organize

Ultimately the Belgian's fell leaving the Allied forces which would fall back to the Marne River where the German advance would be stalled

Both sides would dig in for a long bloody siege in a futile effort of trench warfare

There were two parallel trenches that were deep & rat infested

These would stretch from France to the Belgian coast to the Swiss Alps

Trench warfare was very brutal as the two sides faced each other one attacking then another

The small strip of land that separated them was known as no man’s land

This area was littered with dead bodies, bomb craters, barbed wire, mines as well as other obstacles

The threat of attack, no food, poor medical care, bombs, & poison gas left the life expectancy of a front line soldier to a very short period

Both sides would struggle for months & years gaining very little or no territory

As a whole Americans saw no reason to join a war some 3000 miles away

Individually however views differed

Socialists viewed the war as a struggle between Germany & GB over control of colonies in Africa, China, & the middle East

Pacifists believed that the war was evil & that the U.S. should set the example of peace for the rest of the world to follow

Many Americans did not want to commit their sons & daughters to the horrors of war

Millions of naturalized Americans supported their country of origin

Many Americans felt a closeness to the British as we shared a history & a language

As the Germans continued their sweep through Europe many Americans developed a sympathy for the conquered villages & peoples

Germany was viewed as the bully of Europe

Make ties even tighter with the Allies was a strong economic relationship

Prior to the war U.S. trade with France & GB was double that of Germany

During the war Allied requests for supplies increased to a rate that a labor shortage was created

By 1917 the U.S. had mobilized against the Central Powers for two reasons1. Ensure Allied repayment2. Prevent German threats to U.S.

shipping As the war progressed the

British blockaded Germany capturing all war contraband including food

They also mined the North Sea & blockaded neutral ports

This had a twofold impact on the U.S.1. Goods bound for Germany

never reached its destination2. Germans began to starve,

750,000 by 1917

The British blockade angered many Americans but Germany’s response would outrage them

In response Germany began a full scale attack from their U- boats

Any ship found around the waters of Germany would be sunk

One such ship was the Lusitania in which 128 Americans perished

President Wilson, in response, protested with Germany promising not to sink any more passenger ships

Three months later, however, the Arabic was sunk killing two Americans

Once again Wilson protested This time Germany promised

not to sink passenger vessels but with the condition that GB lift its blockade on food & fertilizers

If GB would not agree to this Germany said it may resume unrestricted attacks