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Nationalism
Nationalism is the devotion to one's nation. This sparked international and domestic tension. In the late 1800's, many Europeans began to oppose the idea of a nation as a collection of different ethnic groups. They believed that a nation should express the nationalism of a single ethnic group. -
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Imperialism
Imperialism is the policy in which strong nations extend their political, military, and economic control over weaker territories. During the Imperialism Era, powerful nations engaged in a race to extend their influence around the world. -
Militarism
Militarism indicated a rise in military outlay, an increase in military and naval forces, and a preference for force as a solution to problems. During this time, there was a growth in military influence on policy marketing. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Wife, Sophie
On this day, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife left for a routine visit to Sarajevo. Young Bosnians were ethic Serbs who believed that Bosnia belonged to Serbia and saw Franz as a tyrant. After the Archduke's driver made a wrong turn, Gavrilo Princip, one of the conspirators, spotted the couple in the car and pulled out a pistol, firing twice. First Sophie and then Franz died. -
Germany's Blank Check to Austria-Hungary
On this day, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany pledged his country's wholehearted support for whatever action Austria-Hungary chose to take in its dispute with Serbia. Confident in Germany's support, they sent a harsh ultimatum to Serbia which demanded Serbia's full cooperation in investigating Ferdinand's assassination. When Serbia rejected the ultimatum, Austria-Hungary declared war. -
The Start of WWI
WWI began when Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia. Because of the alliance system, warfare spread quickly. Great Britain, which had treaties with France and Belgium, immediately declared war against Germany. In less than a week, the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, were at war against the Allied Powers of Britain, France, Russia, and Serbia. The Ottoman Empire eventually joined the Central Powers. -
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Alliances
World war started as a local war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia in 1914. It evolved into a war that included 32 countries. Allies included Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States, who fought against the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. -
Germany's Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
In February 1915, German submarines violated neutral rights. Germany began sinking allied ships using U-boats, or submarines. Germany helped to keep the United States out of war by eventually promising not to sink any more passenger ships. This promise, would eventually be broken. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A British passenger ship, Lusitania, was on a cruise off the coast of Ireland. The German submarine, U-20, sighted the ship and launched a torpedo into its starboard side. Sinking within 20 minutes, nearly 1,200 passengers died. Among those passengers were 128 Americans. -
Zimmerman Telegraph
German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmerman sent a telegram to Mexico. This note proposed an alliance with Mexico, proclaiming that if the United States declared war on Germany, Mexico should declare war on the United States. In return, after a German victory, Mexico would get back Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. However, the telegram was intercepted by the British who then gave it to U.S officials. -
U.S Enters the War
In early 1917, two events took place that helped push the United States into war. In January 1917, German Minister Arthur Zimmerman sent a telegram to Mexico proposing an alliance against the United States. However, this telegram was intercepted by the British. Following this, Germany once again declared unrestricted submarine warfare against Britain. On April 2, 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. Congress then responded with a declaration of war on this day. -
Effects of WWI
WWI caused the downfall of many monarchies such as Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary,, and Russia. With troops traveling all across the globe, influenza spread quickly killing more than 25 million people. The total number of military and civilian casualties rounded up to nearly 40 million. Up to 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. -
Treaty of Versailles
In early 1919, the successful allies held a peace conference in Versailles, Paris. Allied leaders blamed Germany for starting the war and insisted Germany make reparations for war damages. However, various peace treaties created as many problems as they solved. In Europe, Germans found themselves attached to non-German nations. German-Americans thought the treaty was too harsh towards Germany, especially the clause that suggested Germany provoked the war. However, it was eventually signed. -
Dawes Plan
Late 1923, the Reparation Commission formed a committee. Headed by Charles G. Dawes, the committee presented its proposal in April 1924. Under this plan, Germany's annual reparation payments would be reduced, increasing over time as its economy improves; the full amount to be paid was still to be determined. -
Young Plan
In Autumn 1928, another committee was formed. This time to work out a final settlement with the German reparations problem. In 1929, under chairman Owen D. Young, a plan was proposed that reduced the overall amount of reparations to 121 billion gold marks, almost $29 billion, payable withing 58 years. -
The Great Depression
On September 3, 1929, the stock market began to fall. Prices peaked and slid downward in an unbalanced way. A month later, the bottom fell out. More than 16 million shares were sold as the stock market collapsed in the Great Crash. Causes included uneven distribution of the nations wealth, easy credit hid economic problems and caused more debt, and banks collapsed as frightened depositors tried to withdraw their money. -
Rise of Hitler
In the early 1930s, the worldwide Great Depression hit Germany hard, worsening problems for the country. Antidemocratic parties, especially the Nazi Party, threatened the republic. They opposed socialism, communism, and anything that praised class interests or workers' rights above German ethnic unity. After joining the small Nazi party, this party would soon be led by Adolf Hitler.
