WWI causes

1)  Militarism: The belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.


Alliances: A union or association formed for mutual benefit between countries or organizations.


Imperialism: a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.


Nationalism: Patriotic pride for your nation 


2) The spark that started World War I was the assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie.


3) 1915: Sinking of the Lusitania: The boat was sunk by a German U-boat in just 20 minutes. The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany.  

    1916: Sussex Pledge: The Sussex Pledge was a promise by the Kaiser regarding the conduct of attacks on merchant ships by German U-boats 

    1917: Zimmerman Note: Secret telegram sent on Jan. 16, 1917, by German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann to Count Johann von Bernstorff, the German ambassador to the United States.

    1918: Unrestricted Sub Warfare:  a type of naval warfare in which submarines sink vessels such as freighters and tankers without warning

     
     

Propaganda

Propaganda is information that is spread for the purpose for promoting some cause. Propaganda was used in WW1 as in any war, but in World War One, the lengths to which governments would go to in an effort to blacken the enemy’s name reached a new level. Techniques included; newspaper prints, posters and public speeches. All forms of information were controlled so people only got to know what the government wanted them to know. Aims of propaganda were to recruit soldiers keep up/boost morale, support the war effort, government, encourage hatred of the enemy and protect civilians. Newspaper headlines were printed and designed to create chaos regardless if they were true or not. Their goal was to show that "our" side was fighting a moral war and that the enemy were cold-blooded cruel killers (which again, was to create chaos). Posters were a popular way to convince men to enlist in the war and a way to raise money and resources to sustain the military campaign. 


Government issued poster advertising different ways to prepare homes for winter in order to conserve fuel for the troops.













Military service offered young men the chance to travel the world and see places they could never otherwise have visited. 













A draft was quickly established, but men were urged to enlist for service. This poster portrayed military service as heroic.














The government’s first task was to convince citizens that they must support the war. Here, a woman dressed in the stars and stripes represents America and American liberty.