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Imperialism
The United States, Britain, Russia, and Germany all played a key role by complying with imperialism during World War I. Imperialism stimulated World War I by shaping its political alliances and distracting debates from domestic issues to economic improvements. During this time, European countries were looking for places to broaden economic growth closer to home. Hence, the African continent resulted the most worthwhile for Europe's needs. -
Nationalism
Nationalism is an intense form of patriotism. Throughout history, nationalism has been part of disagreements between countries. Just before World War I broke out, nationalism between the Russians and Japanese had been hustling for control domination over Korea and Manchuria. Overall, the Japanese victory aided nationalism in Asia and Africa; this being because it was the first war were a non-European democracy had conquered a European nation. -
Militarism
The boost of military forces within the walls of governments was a leading factor for the rise of World War I. Militarism's ascent into power was a significant force in various European nations. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Shot to death by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated during a visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. This event is widely recognized as the stimulate for World War I. The assassination set off a hasty sequence of events, including Austria-Hungary’s war on Serbia, and the fall of Europe’s great powers. -
Blank Check
Also known as Kaiser’s pledge, the Blank Check assurance followed after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. It noted a distinct moment in time, where Germany promised “faithful support” for Austria-Hungary. Alongside this commitment, Austria-Hungary’s conduct towards Serbia endangered an eruption into a European war. -
Alliances
By 1914, the six authorities of Europe split themselves into two alliances. Britain, France, and Russia became known as the Triple Entente, while Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy were the Triple Alliance. -
World War I Starts (continued)
The next day, Germany then acted to declare war on France; this lead Great Britain, who shares a border with France, to give Germany the option to get out of Belgium by midnight on August 3. Not taking this warning, on August 4, 1914, Great Britain, lead by Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, declared war on Germany. -
World War I Starts
After the moment of Ferdinand’s assassination, a spark ignited in countries around the world to bring enmity towards each other. Though not knowing it at the moment, this fire within the countries pulled the trigger to birth World War I. Following the declaration of war on Serbia from Austria-Hungary, on August 2, 1914, the Ottoman Empire signed a secret treaty of alliance with Germany. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Less than a year after the break out of World War I, German launched submarine warfare against the United Kingdom. With 1,900 people aboard, nearly 1,100 passed away, including over 120 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania played a major role in the public’s eye, turning the United States and other countries against Germany. Two years would pass before the United States would enter the war. -
Submarine Warfare
Germany’s use of unrestricted warfare was announced on January 9, 1917. When this announcement was made to the public, Germany feared it would provoke an American response. In Germany’s case, they were correct. At this time, Germany was not doing well on the western front, leading to the use of submarine warfare out of desperation. They believed that if the results were drastic enough, it would keep America out of the war and scare the other countries. -
Zimmermann Telegram
In January 1917, British linguist decoded a message from German Minister, Arthur Zimmerman, to the German Minister in Mexico. The message offered the United States land in Mexico, under the condition the U.S. join Germany’s cause. With this message, it drew the United States out of solace and into the prospect war. -
U.S. Joins World War I
On April 6, 1917, the United States joined their allies, Britain, France, and Russia to fight in World War I. Being under the control of General John J. Pershing, over two million U.S soldiers fought. American citizens though were not in favor of joining, instead wanting to remain neutral. Though, the U.S. entry did turn the tides in favor of Allied powers, rendering the Axis into a position of defeat. -
Effects of World War I
The effects of World War I on America greatly changed the political, economic, and social aspects of society. More than 38 million deaths occurred between military and civilian casualties. Six countries arose including Poland, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Estonia. In America, victory of the war quickly faded into disillusionment by regretting the decision of joining. This attitude appeared from citizens by feeling dragged along and baited into destruction. -
Treaty of Versailles
Signed on June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was important to society because it ended the state war between Germany and the Allied Powers. This treaty was in hopes it would put an end to further war; countries would pay reparations for the damage caused during the war. For Germany, they had little choice in which to not sign, and lost land in doing so. Germany felt cheated and angry, perceiving the treaty as an imposed settlement. -
The Dawes Plan
Following the war, Germany was sanctioned to pay for their acts of destruction. The Dawes Plan, overseen by Charles G. Dawes, was established, citing foreign troops would evacuate Ruhr area and payments would begin at one billion dollars, and increase each year. -
The Young Plan
The Young Plan was a renegotiation of Germany’s payment. Directed by Owen D. Young, the Dawes Plan was then reconstructed with minimal changes, and put back to use on September 1, 1930. -
The Great Depression
All around the world, the Great Depression was the largest downward plunge in the history of Western industrialization. Soon after the stock market crashed, Wall Street plummeted into madness, obliterating millions of investors. The reason for this detrimental act was because of the failure to sell goods, slowing production down. At the same time this was happening, stock market prices were rising, making it impossible for levels to be evened out. -
Rise of Hitler
On January 30, 1933, Hitler was appointed as chancellor by President Paul von Hindenburg. Though Hitler lost the presidential election in 1932, he still became a powerful leader, paving the way to dictatorship and war by issuing the Reichstag Fire Decree. He eventually achieved complete control over the legislative and executive branches of government, and turned them into one force called the Nazi Party.
