World War I Overview

Assassination and Outbreak of War

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in April 1914 triggered a series of political crises across Europe.
• The event catalyzed alliances and tensions, leading to the start of World War I.

Major Alliances

• The war involved two main factions:
  • Allies: Great Britain, France, and Russia.
  • Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

United States Neutrality

• In 1914, the United States declared neutrality under the Neutrality Act of 1914.
• President Woodrow Wilson sought to keep the U.S. out of the conflict, emphasizing peace and diplomacy.

Factors Leading to U.S. Involvement

• Three critical factors led to the U.S. entering World War I in 1917:
  • Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany's policy of attacking merchant vessels without warning, jeopardizing American ships.
  • Propaganda Campaigns: Influential campaigns heightened public opinion against the Central Powers.
  • Zimmerman Telegram: A secret communication from Germany proposing a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S., which was intercepted and made public.

Shift in War Dynamics

• The entry of the United States into the war in 1917 shifted momentum toward the Allies, enabling a series of victories against the Central Powers.

Conclusion of the War

• An armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, effectively ending hostilities.
• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, formally concluding World War I and establishing conditions that would contribute to World War II.