World War I Begins

1. What are the four main causes of World War I? Give an example for each as to why it was a cause.

Nationalism- Many feared Germany's growing power in Europe.
Imperialism- As Germany industrialized, it competed with France and Britian in the contest for colonies.
Militarism- Germany had set up an army reserve system that drafted and trained young men. Also Germany extended its naval base so that it could compete with Britian.
Alliance System- The Triple alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungry, and Italy.

2. How did the June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand become the spark for WWI?

Because after Archduke was killed by a Serbian the Austrians wanted to go to war with Serbia and get that land and then after that with all of the alliances one thing lead to another and a lot of countries were joining in on this controversy creating a World War.

3. What happened within the first few months of fighting?

The Germans swept across Belgium as thousands of civilians fled in terror.

4. Generally, why did the United States want to stay out of the war?

The United States was divided between who they would want to ally.

5. Specifically, Why did the following groups of Americans tend to oppose U.S. participation in the war? Naturalized citizens; socialists; pacifists; parents.

Naturalized citizens- Watched the war closely because that is the country that they immigrated from.
Socialists- Thought that the war as a capitalist and imperialist struggle between Germany and England to control markets and colonies in China, Africa, and the Middle East.
Pacifists- Thought that the war was evil and that the United States should set an example of peace to the world.
Parents- Didn't want their children having to die in the war.

6. How did Germany respond to the British naval blockade of Germany’s ports? What was the U.S. response?

American ships carrying goods to Germany refused to challenge the blockage and seldom reached their destination. Germany found it increasingly difficult to import foodstuffs and fertilizer for crops. Also then Germany did a counter blockage to Britian just with submarines.

7. What forced the United States into the war?
That neithe Germany or Britain would remove their blockages.