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Nationalism
Nationalism is supporting one nation and the decisions of one country. After the war, delegates from the winning sides came together to create a new Europe. By exiling Germany and Italy, they would become their own states. Different nationalist groups were angered at the loss of territory. These nationalist groups located in different regions all fought for the freedom from the country in which they came from. By 1871 both Italy and Germany used strong nationalist groups to gain reunification. -
Alliances
Alliances were especially important in times of war. This kind of relationship between nations allowed other allies to receive aid when needed. Russia threatened Austro-Hungary causing them to create an alliance with Germany. After that Serbia and Italy joined forces with Austro-Hungary and Germany. The opposing side became an alliance between Russia, Britain and France. Soon after, the United States joined in, allying with Russia due to their conflict with Germany. -
Imperialism
Imperialism is when one nation decides to overthrow or rule another nation. Due to the large amount of land owned by Britain and France, tensions grew between those nations and Germany. Britain and France had a lot of territory in Africa, which has now been called "the Scramble for Africa", as Germany scrambled to catch up. By having more land and ruling over more territories, nations were trying to show strength and power. -
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World War I
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The Assassination Of Archduke Franz Ferdinand & His Wife
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to Austro-Hungarian during this time. On June 28th, the couple were traveling in a undersecured, vehicle when a Serbian Nationalist tossed a bomb onto the car. This encounter, only an officer and nearby citizens were injured. On the same day the couple were traveling once again in a car, while on their way to to pay a visit to the wounded officer, an assassin was there waiting. The man fired into the car into the car and killed both Archduke and his wife. -
Germany's Blank Check to Austria-Hungary
Discussion of some type of agreement between Germany and Austria-Hungary before the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. After both deaths, Kaiser Wilhelm II from Germany was angered by the killings and decided to push for an alliance between the nations. On July 5th, Germany pledged loyalty to Austria-Hungary in the case that war stuck out between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Although this alliance may anger Russia, Germany signed anyways due to the murders. -
World War I Begins
Starting off with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Serbia foresaw Austria-Hungary preparing for a war. They made an alliance with Russia in order to ready their troops for battle. July 28, Austria-Hungary called war upon Serbia. Before the assassination of Archduke, Kaiser Wilhelm came to the throw of the German Empire from then he decided to expand his military strength. Other nations did the same to keep up, eventually causing a nasty vessel war between Britain and Germany. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Only a short while after World War I began, a British vessel traveling from the United States to Europe was hit about another boat. A German owned warship torpedoed the boat and over one thousand people died, over hundred being Americans. This specific event changed a lot of political opinions against Germany, edging the US towards entering the war. Before this, the US stood in a neutral ground. Germany decided try to isolate trade between the US and their biggest trading partner, Britain. -
Militarism
Military power defined a nation's strength during the 19th century. One prime example of militarism during WWI, was Germany's battle to control 'war zones' in the sea. On May 7th, Germany sunk a US vessel with over one hundred Americans aboard. They continued sinking innocent vessels in order to control trade in the sea around Britain. Because of Germany showing off with their military power, they aided in the start of WWI. -
Zimmerman Telegram
A German secretary created this message, named Arthur Zimmerman, addressing the ambassador. This telegram proposed an alliance between Mexico and Germany in the event that war breaks out between Germany and the United States. This secretary persuaded the ambassador of Germany to offer a wealthy amount of aid to Mexico if they choose to become allies. This meant that if agreed upon, Mexico would entry the war on Germany's side. Due to this Woodrow Wilson announced the U.S. entry into the war. -
Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare
In attempt to isolate the U.S. from any neutral country, Germany announced a war zone around the British Isles. This means that any boat, even merchants from neutral countries, would be taken down by German warships. During this feud, the historical Lusitania was sunk with Americans aboard on May 7, 1915. President Woodrow Wilson sent a letter to Germany pleading for an end. German had set strict rules for these war zones, however Navy commanders fought for unrestricted warfare and soon won. -
United States Entry Into World War I
In the beginning of WWI, America had claimed neutrality. Once Germany announced the war zone around the British Isles, America's close trading partner, the tension rose. After several vessels had be sunk, Germany struggled with their own Navy to balance laws on the warzone. The last straw pushing the U.S. to enter the war was the sinking of the Lusitania. Soon after, America spent millions in order to gather military for war. More ships were attacked and the States officially entered the war. -
The Effects of World War I
Out of wars beforehand, this war in particular was the largest (involving more countries), the most expensive, and the deadlists. Millions of soldiers were disabled after fighting and worse, dead. The effects of this war were short term and long term. Economically, European countries were left in debt while America gained and prospered. This war also introduced more modern weapons such as tanks, poison gas and more advanced artillery. Women were left to run businesses while men were at war. -
Treaty of Versailles
The signing of the Treaty of Versailles made many Germans feel betrayed with little control of their fate. German's had to commit to taking responsibility for the reparations. Before Germany could pay for these repairs, Hitler took power and stopped all actions to follow this treaty. The creation of the treaty began in Paris while Germany had little involvement at all. This treaty stated that Germany would lose a lot of territory, unable to access certain weapons, and have a smaller military. -
Rise of Hitler
Hitler demanded that he become the leader of the Nazi party, solely on the fact that he felt he was the best speaker. The Nazi party made him leader in fear that he would leave the party if they chose otherwise. Hitler often used fear to win over his opposers. Papen convinced Hindenburg to form a relationship with the Nazi's and to appoint Hitler as chancellor. Without much choice, parliament was forced into giving Hitler temporary powers, ultimately granting him full power of Germany. -
Dawes Plan and Young Plan
Reparation Commission, led by Charles G. Dawes, came to a proposal to help Germany pay for repairs. With this plan the payments would be less, increasing along with Germany's economic status, and foreign Banks would aid Germany with loans. U.S. banks loaned enough money to Germany to help them pay off reparation payments. Other countries used the payments to pay the U.S. back of their war debt. The young plan called for a Bank of International Settlements to organize the payments of reparations. -
Great Depression
Because of the stock market crash in October, Wall Street went off into a panic, sells were down and many employees were jobless. Four years later almost half of the U.S. was bankrupt and many were still unemployed. Before the decline, anyone from millionaires to janitors were investing large amount of money into these stocks. Soon after, stocks began to cost more than they were actually worth. Production declined and wages were dropping rapidly. The drought caused produce prices to rise.
