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European Nationalism
The European nations had large ideals and expectations for how their countries were expanding. Italy, for example, wanted territories in Africa, even though she barely had enough power to do it. Also, the Russians wanted to expand south towards the Balkans. Many European countries wanted a lot of territory and inter-nation unity. -
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Expanding European Militaries
The European powers have always had a tense rivalry between them, and one way to show off their power was their military. From 1910 to 1914, French defense increased by 10%, while Britain increased by 13%, and Russia increased by 39%. However, the most improved and largest military was Germany, who increased by 73%. These expansions also led to people feeling as if a war were about to start, which raised tensions and anxiety. -
European Imperialism
Many countries had territory around the world. Great Britain had India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, and parts of Northern Africa. Russia had Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, the Ukraine, Georgia, central asia, Kazakhstan, and parts of east Asia. The United States had the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. France had Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, West Africa, India, and islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific. -
Germany's Blank Check
After hearing the news of Archduke Ferdinand's assassination, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany vows to help Austria-Hungary, even if it means going to war with Russia. -
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
While on a trip to Bosnia with his wife, a group of Bosnian Serbs planned the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. After a few failed attempts, and a chance encounter, the Archduke and his wife were fatally wounded by 19 year old Bosnian Serb, Gavrilo Princip. -
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The Alliance System Pulls all of Europe in the War
After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, which led to a chain reaction of countries declaring war on their ally's enemies. First, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, which led Russia to declare war on Austria-Hungary, which therefore made Germany declare war on Russia. Then, France declared war on Germany, which made Germany declare war on neutral Belgium to get to France. Finally, Great Britain entered the war and decalred war on Germany. -
Start of World War I
Since the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, a string of alliances soon brought the entirety of Europe into war. A month later, after Germany's violent entrance into neutral Belgium, Great Britain could no longer stand by idly. Within hours of the attack, Great Britain was fighting the war with the rest of Europe. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The passenger boat, the Lusitania was nearing the coast of Ireland when it was struck by a German torpedo, which instantly started sinking it. From this moment on, America's animosity towards Germany increased to the point where America joined the war... 2 years later. -
Germany Resumes Submarine Warfare
After promising passivity, the Germans went against their word and convinced the government that submarines were an essential part of German warfare. They were then given permission to use them. -
Zimmerman Telegram
A telegram from the German foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, to the German-Mexican ambassador proposing an alliance between the two countries. Germany promised to return Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Mexico if they worked together to defeat the United States. The telegram was intercepted and within a month America had joined the war. -
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United States' Involvement in the War
The United States entered the war mainly because the German's use of submarine warfare, and the Zimmerman telegram. Americans felt growing animosity towards the Germans and it heightened with the Zimmerman telegram and led to U.S. involvement. American soldiers were very unprepared for battle, and were slaughtered in the beginning, Then, after training, they helped turn the tides around on the Germans and eventually won the war. -
Effects of the Great War
By the end of the war, there were over 9 million soldier, sailor, anf flyer casualties; and another 5 million civilian casualties. It involved 28 more countries and caused more than $186 billion than any other previous war in history. It also left more than 7 million men permanently disabled. It led to the downfall of four monarchies: the Russians, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Turkey. It was one of the causes of the Great Depression in the thirties, and led to the rise of Adolf Hitler. -
Treaty of Versailles
A peace treaty signed by the Allied Powers to negotiate the end of the Great War. It made Germany liable for paying off the damage done to French soil, and created new boundaries for the country. Some right-wing Germans considered it a betrayal, and several politicians were assassinated by terriorists because they thought they were responsible, Many German citizens were angered by the treaty, and many thought that it was too strict and unreasonable. -
The Rise of Hitler
After being rejected from art school and getting accepted into the Nazi party, Adolf Hitler quickly climbed the ranks and was soon named the leader of the Nazi party. After a few years of being involved with the party, he was tried for treason and put in jail. It was in jail that he wrote Mein Kampf, which detailed all of his goals and ideas for Germany. After he was released from jail, he made sure to follow through. He climbed the ranks of German government, and was soon named chancellor. -
The Dawes Plan and the Young Plan
When Germany's payments after the war stopped coming in because of hyperinflation, Charles Dawes came up with the Dawes plan. It said that Germany's payments would be reduced over time, though no final price was given. The Young plan, made in 1928, agreed to reduce Germany's payments even more and have it payable over 58 years. -
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The Great Depression and Stock Market Crash
Because of the failing economy and low demand for products in high stock, the country experienced a bit of a downturn. With people using credit for everything and going into debt, there was no money to pay for things anymore. The stock market crashed on October 24, 1929, or otherwise known as Black Thursday. During the thirties, the economy was in the biggest ditch it had ever been in, and no one could figure out how to fix it. However, once World War 2 started, the economy picked back up.
