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The First World War Central power Allies power

Germany Russia
 War involving nearly all the nations of the world Austria-Hungary France
 1914-1918 Ottoman Empire Great Britain
Long term - Bulgaria Italy
Japan
1. Alliance system United States (1917)
2. Imperialist Competition Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the war?
3. Stockpiling of Weapons America was isolationist
 Short term - Assassination of Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

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2. Unlimited submarine warfare

• the US involved • 1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine warfare” in the war zone
Blockade 3. Zimmerman note
• Britain blockaded (stopped) all German ships going to America  US intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico,
• Germany announced a submarine war around Britain It promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back in return for an
• In May, 1915 Germany told Americans to stay off of British ships alliance
Zimmerman Note + the sinking of 4 unarmed American ships led to a
• They could/would sink them declaration of war
• Lusitania torpedoed, sinking with 1200 passengers and crew (including 128 Russia left the war after its communist revolution in 1917
Americans
Convincing the American People
• Was eventually found to be carrying 4200 cases of ammunition
Idealism two goal for War
• The US sharply criticized Germany for their action
War to End All Wars
• Germany agreed not to sink passenger ships without warning in the future
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Making
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the World Safe for Democracy 4

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Fourteen point • African American

President Wilson’s Plan for after the war • Black soldiers still served in Segregated Units
Fourteen promises, including freedom of the seas & a League of • Great Migration” - thousands of African Americans moved North to work
Nations to work for peace in factories
What did the US do to help
Supplies
US provided the food, money, and fresh toops needed to win the war
How did the War Affect the US
Women
Women filled factory jobs
May have led 19th Ammendment after the war (Gave women the right
to vote
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