World War 1 began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Serbian terrorists. Major powers in Europe were pulled into the war due to a web of alliances. The United States initially remained neutral but entered the war in 1917 after German U-boats sank American ships. Over 4 million American troops were deployed and helped turn the tide of the war. Germany surrendered in 1918, ending World War 1 after over 37 million casualties. The Treaty of Versailles assigned blame and reparations to Germany but failed to achieve a lasting peace.

1. World War 1 and the United States By Matt Wise Clipart by Microsoft

2. Europe in the Early 20th Century Time of Great Change Technology, Human Rights, Culture Growing Populations Expansionist Idea

3. United States During the early 20th Century Rise of Big Business Racial Tensions Foreign Policy Isolationism

4. Causes of World War 1 Nationalism Competition between Nations Militarism Alliances

5. Nationalism Pride in ones own country Unifying factor within a country Own country is seen as superior Causes tension between nations

6. Competition Countries Competing for Dominance Colonization of new lands Competitive Industry and Technology Competing to be the Best

7. Militarism The Buildup of the Armed Forces New Technology New Weapons Population Increase Allows for Bigger Armies

8. Alliances Triple Entente UK, France, Russia, and the US Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy Large Nations against each other

9. Spark that Started the War Assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 Serbian Terrorists Alliances Declare War Start of WW1

10. Major Conflicts Marne: 2 Battles Sept 6 1914 and again in 1918 Ypres Oct 14, 1914 Suez Canal Feb 3 1915 Picture: PhillipC., “World War 1 Tank, Masterton, New Zealand, April 2009”. May 7, 2009. via Flickr on Creative Commons

11. America and WW1 Isolationism Stay out of European Conflicts US Neutral Could Trade With Both Sides British Blockade Stopped German Supplies Germans use Unrestricted U-Boat Warfare

12. America Enters the War Unrestricted German U-Boat Warfare Lusitania 1915 Sunk by German Sub in Atlantic 128 Americans Died Zimmerman Telegram-Jan 1917 US enters the war on April 6, 1917 Picture: bobster885., “Recruiting Poster, 1915”., March 17, 2009 via Flickr on Creative Commons

13. America in the War Draft 4 million men Huge Industrial Boom Sent Supplies and Men to Europe Major Battles 2nd Battle of the Marne 1918

14. End of the War Germany Surrendered Armistice on Nov 11, 1918 Casualties: 37 million total 16 million deaths, 21 million wounded Treaty of Versailles-June 28, 1918 Germany responsible for war Pay reparations

15. Wilsons 14 Point Plan Wilson’s plan of peace Treaty to make all people safe League of Nations Early United Nations Global Community US Congress Fails to ratify the Treaty of Versailles Will not join League of Nations

16. Closing WW1 left Europe torn apart US starts to rise as a world power European Economic Depression Leads to future rise of dictators

17. Sources Boyer, Paul S., Clark, Clifford E., Hawley, Sandra., Kett, Joseph F., Rieser, Andrew., Salisbusy, Neal.,Sitkoff, Harvard., & Woloch, Nancy. (2010). The Enduring Vision: A history of the American People. Boston: Wadsworth PBS.(1996-2004). The great war and the shaping of the 20th century. Retrieved October 3, 2009. from: PBS at: http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/