1. US History, Fall 2008 Unit 3

2. Tinder Box: 1 a : a metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for striking a spark b : a highly inflammable object or place 2 : a potentially explosive place or situation

3. The war started July 28, 1914 when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. By the second week of August the five major European empires were all at war There were four main causes to WWI

4. 1. NATIONALISM Devotion to Nation/State Unifies people and divides them Can you explain why this might be? Nationalism used to unify Germany in 1871

5. NATIONALISM (continued) Nationalism led to unrest in the Balkans 1. Part of Austria-Hungary Empire 2. Peoples in Balkans wanted to be an independent nation 3. Known as “powder keg” of Europe because of the nationalistic rivalries there

6. Ethno-Linguistic Map of Europe Before 1914 (What does “ethno-linguistic” mean, anyway?)

8. 2. MILITARISM Environment glorifying military spirit and need of constant preparation for war Fierce competition between countries encouraged militarism By 1914, Germany had the largest army and navy Great Britain had most powerful navy in the world All European countries had huge standing armies

9. 3. IMPERIALISM Acquiring empire - Control of one people without the consent of the governed European countries wanted empires in Africa and Asia They competed for markets, resources, and raw materials European countries kept large militaries to protect or maintain control of colonies

10. 4. ENTAGLING ALLIANCES A defensive alliance is when each member pledges to come to the assistance of the other member(s) if attacked The Triple Alliance or Central Powers 1. Germany 2. Austria-Hungary 3. Italy

12. MORE ALLIANCES The Triple Alliance made France nervous, so they formed their own alliance The Triple Entente or Allied Powers 1. France 2. Great Britain 3. Russia In 1904, Russia formed an alliance with Serbia The alliance system committed not only countries to the alliance but their colonies as well

13. THE POWEDER KEG EXPLODES Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated July 1914 Austria-Hungary blames Serbia and declared war Russia, allied to Serbia, declared war on Austria-Hungary This brought in all of the alliances into play

14. In thinking about the causes of WWI, how does this cartoon illustrate the connection between alliances and imperialism?

15. Which of the 4 causes of WWI does this cartoon best depict?

16. Now, answer this question: How can Europe prior to WWI be described as a tinderbox?