World War I

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World War I
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Key Facts

• Started in 1914 and ended in1918.
• It was also called The Great War and the War
  to End All Wars
• Woodrow Wilson was president (elected in 1912).
• It started in Europe, but before it ended, many
  nations in the world were involved.
• There were two sides Allied Powers and Central
  Powers.

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How was the US Involved?

• The Atlantic Ocean separated Europes problems
  from the US, so Americans were not concerned.
• President Wilson had peace talks with both sides
  to end the war.
• In 1915, German submarines sunk the Lusitania,
  killing 198 Americans.
• The US learned of a plan to make Mexico fight
  against the US and claim Texas as their own.
• Can you guess what happened next?

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US Involvement, cont

• The US declared war on March 31, 1917

5
Causes of the War

• Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was
  killed by a terrorist from Serbia on June 28,
  1914.
• One month later, Austria-Hungary declared war on
  Serbia. In little time, Germany joined the war
  with Austria- Hungary against Serbia.
• Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, and
  the Ottoman Empire became whats called the
  Central Powers.

6
Causes, cont.

• In turn, Serbia sought help from Russia and
  France.
• Serbia, Russia, France, United Kingdom, Belgium,
  Montenegro, Japan, and the United States all
  became whats called the Allied Powers.

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Effects on the World

• First use of many deadly weapons like machine
  guns, flamethrowers, hand grenades, army tanks,
  and poison gas.
• 10 million soldiers were killed
• Bolshevik Revolution in Russia caused growth in
  communism.
• All countries were in financial debt.

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Effects on the World, Cont
President Wilson

• Central Powers were defeated, their empires were
  destroyed, and new boundary lines were drawn.
  Germany lost most of its land and military.
• Women in Germany, Great Britain, and US were
  given the right to vote.
• In 1919, a treaty was signed to officially end
  the war. It was called the Treaty of Versailles.
  
• President Wilson attended to support his
  Fourteen Points. Out of the treaty came The
  League of Nations to prevent further outbreaks.

President Wilson and his wife
President Wilson
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Effects on American Life

• 112,000 soldiers lost their lives, some due to
  the influenza epidemic in 1918.
• This was the first war when women could
  officially serve in the armed forces.
• Labor shortages provided numerous jobs for women
  like hauling ice, making weapons, and working on
  the railroad.
• The ratification of the19th Amendment gave women
  the right to vote in 1920.

10
Effects on American Life, cont

• Jazz music became popular, making Louis Armstrong
  and Duke Ellington music stars.

Duke Ellington
Louis Armstrong
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Conclusion

• President Wilson said it was The war to end all
  wars.
• Was that what happened?
• Some people believe that World War II started
  because of unresolved conflicts in World War I.
• What do you think?
• Tune in for facts on World War II at a later
  date.

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Credits

• Pictures in slides 1,8,9,10, and 11 are courtesy
  of American Memory.
• Pictures in slides 3,4,5,6, and 7 are courtesy of
  Microsoft Office Design Gallery Live.
• Pictures in slides 2 and 4 are courtesy of
  Microsoft Office Clip Art.