Introduction to World War I

    The first World War is the name given to a very complicated series of events that took place, mainly in Europe, in the years between 1914 and 1918.  The war destroyed men, treasure, and empires and contorted those who survived it.  It enormously speeded shifts of power, most notably the United States, to economic and military powers.  It also led to a decline of the Great Powers of Europe to control their own destinies. 

    As we study this unit, we will pay close attention to the effect this war had on the great European powers of this era as well as how unprepared we as a nation were for becoming a superpower.  We will also analyze how the events at the end of the war, in particular the Versailles Treaty, would lead to the rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany which would later be a major cause of World War II.

    Finally, one last question that we will consider throughout this unit is;  If World War I is sometimes called "The War to End all Wars" why did it not end all wars?

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