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Imperialism
Imperialism is when a nation takes control over one or more colonies. The imperialist country usually takes these other colonies by military force or political pressure. Before and during World War I, the U.S. had taken control of the Philippines, Guam, America Samoa, Puerto Rico and other islands in the Pacific. -
Militarism
Militarism in the U.S. during World War I was a big deal. With the size of America at the time, they could potentially have a very large and pwerful army. Militarism caused the draft to begin which recrutied young men into the army. -
Nationalism
Nationalism is extreme pride and commitment to one's country. Nationalism caused people of countries involved in World War I to be very confident in their countries power. This caused competition between countries, hence fueling the fighting. -
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were shot to death by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Surb nationalist. They were shot on an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. -
Germany's Blank Check to Austria
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany decided to fully support the future actions Austria-Hungary decides to take against Serbia in response to the assassanation of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. This action of Germany is now called the blank check assurance. -
Alliances
Alliances were a major part in World War I. The two major groups of allies were the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. The Triple Alliance was made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The Triple Entente France, Russia, and Great Britian. -
The beginning of World War I
World War I started in the city of Liege in Belgium after Germany launched their attack which began the first battle of this war. Great Britain got involved when Belgium was attacked. Britain was in an aggrement to help Belgium if they were attacked, therefore Britian acted. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German U-boat torpedoed the RMS Lusitania. The Lusitania was a British ocean liner heading to England from New York. Over 1,100 people died, 120 of those people were American. This was a main reason for the future invoment of the U.S. in the war. -
Germany's resumption of unrestricted subarmine warfare
Germany lifted it's previously suspended subarmine warfare policy, therefore making unrestricted subarmine warfare allowed in the surrounding waters. Germany sunk multiple ships inlcuding the Lusitania after this policy was lifted -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was a message from the German Foreign Secretary Authur Zimmerman that was sent to the German ambassador then to Mexico proposing an alliance aggreement. The aggreement would be between Mexico and Germany against the United States if they attacked. This message was all over American newspapers which alerted everyone. -
The US enters the war
The United States declared war on Germany two days after the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives endorsed the declaration, That is when the United States formally entered the war after President Woodrow Wilson wanted to remain neutral which most Americans favored. -
The effects of World War I
The final death and casualty count of World War I is over 35 million. Poland became independent, the Austro-Hungarian empire seperated to become Austria and Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, Poland and Yugoslavia become countries due to the split of Austrio-Hungary. Disillusionment was very present after the war. People lost hope and lost trust in their politcial leaders. People were angry and were not going to settle for that. -
Treaty of Versailles
The people of Germany as if this treaty was unfair for them. They had to take responsibility for the war and their military was limited which most of the population didn't like. Germany was in a state of chaos and everything was falling down for them. -
Dawes Plan and Young Plan
The Dawes and Young plans were created to make a plan for the problems Germany was having with paying the reparations. The Dawes plan was made specifically to help get Weimar Germany's economy back to a form of stability. The Young plan was made to support the Weimar government. Both helped enough, but the reparations were still a problem for Germany even after the plans were made. -
The Great Depression
The most discussed cause of the Great Depression is the crash of the stock market in 1929. When America discovered the stock market towards the end of the 20's they went right into it. When the stock market crashed, people got scared. Banks took away peoples saving and investments. People were mad and shaken up since this was only 11 years after World War I. -
The Rise of Hitler
When the country was not content with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler started making his voice heard and promised to overturn the aggreements. When the Great Depression happened, it caused a rise in support of the Nazi Party and they became the largest party in the German parliment. Although, a few years later in the parliment elections they lost support and it's clear they will not get to the point they want. Hitler was later appointed chancelor of Germany.
