1. Setting the Stage for World War I

2. Bell Ringer What unites people? What unites people? What divides people? What divides people? What causes alliances to form? What causes alliances to form? Should you always support a friend no matter what he or she does? Should you always support a friend no matter what he or she does?

3. Background Information Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) Goal of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (Blood & Iron) was to unify Germany under Prussian Control Goal of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (Blood & Iron) was to unify Germany under Prussian Control France loses Alsace-Lorraine to Germany France loses Alsace-Lorraine to Germany Increased tensions between the two nations Increased tensions between the two nations Bismarck feared retaliation of France, so he aligned Germany with Russia, Italy, & Austria-Hungary Bismarck feared retaliation of France, so he aligned Germany with Russia, Italy, & Austria-Hungary Wanted to isolate France from continental Europe Wanted to isolate France from continental Europe

6. New Leader Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes ruler of Germany in 1890 Kaiser Wilhelm II becomes ruler of Germany in 1890 Grandson of Queen Victoria Grandson of Queen Victoria Cousin of George V of England and Nicholas II of Russia Cousin of George V of England and Nicholas II of Russia Proud & stubborn man Proud & stubborn man Forces Bismarck to resign because he did not want to share power with anyone Forces Bismarck to resign because he did not want to share power with anyone

7. We have conquered for ourselves a place in the sun. It will now be my task to see to it that this place in the sun shall remain our undisputed possession, in order that the sun's rays may fall fruitfully upon our activity and trade in foreign parts... The more Germans go out upon the waters, whether it be in journeys across the ocean, or in the service of the battle flag, so much the better it will be for us. A speech by Kaiser Wilhelm to the North German Regatta Association, 1901 Kaiser Wilhelm II Germany begins to build its own colonial empire Begins shipbuilding program in an effort to make the German navy equal to Britain’s

8. Shifting Alliances In 1890 Wilhelm II let Germany’s treaty with Russia lapse In 1890 Wilhelm II let Germany’s treaty with Russia lapse Russia turns around and signs a treaty with France Russia turns around and signs a treaty with France Britain forms the Triple Entente with Russia & France guaranteeing Britain would not fight against them Britain forms the Triple Entente with Russia & France guaranteeing Britain would not fight against them

11. Imperialism Nations of Europe Nations of Europe competing with one another for colonies in Africa & Asia

13. Militarism Nations took a militaristic stance in order to acquire & protect colonies Nations took a militaristic stance in order to acquire & protect colonies Dissuade aggression by rivals Dissuade aggression by rivals Britain introduced 1 st dreadnought Britain introduced 1 st dreadnought Nations wanted to be able to mobilize quickly in case of war Nations wanted to be able to mobilize quickly in case of war Having a large army made citizens feel patriotic Having a large army made citizens feel patriotic

15. Nationalism United under Nationalism United under Nationalism Germany & Italy had great feelings of national pride because they had only recently become united, independent countries Germany & Italy had great feelings of national pride because they had only recently become united, independent countries Torn Apart by Nationalism Torn Apart by Nationalism Austria-Hungary had problems with nationalism because many of their people were ethnic minorities Austria-Hungary had problems with nationalism because many of their people were ethnic minorities

16. Nationalism In the Balkans People with diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds, languages People with diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds, languages As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations were born As Ottoman Empire receded, new nations were born Russia & Austria competed for control of new nations Russia & Austria competed for control of new nations Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in 1908 & Serbia resents this Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia in 1908 & Serbia resents this

18. Assassination of the Archduke Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria visited Bosnian capital on June 28, 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria visited Bosnian capital on June 28, 1914 7 assassins from the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, plot against him 7 assassins from the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, plot against him 19 year old Gavrilo Princip shot the Archduke and his wife 19 year old Gavrilo Princip shot the Archduke and his wife

20. Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum Germany gives “blank check” of military support to Austria-Hungary Germany gives “blank check” of military support to Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary’s severe ultimatum to Serbia Austria-Hungary’s severe ultimatum to Serbia Serbia refuses to let Austria-Hungary’s officials run an investigation in Serbia Serbia refuses to let Austria-Hungary’s officials run an investigation in Serbia Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914

22. The Alliance System leads to War Russia supported Serbia & Germany supported Austria-Hungary Russia supported Serbia & Germany supported Austria-Hungary Russia mobilizes its armies moving toward German & Austrian frontiers Russia mobilizes its armies moving toward German & Austrian frontiers Russia did not back down & France did not declare its neutrality, therefore Germany declared war on the two nations Russia did not back down & France did not declare its neutrality, therefore Germany declared war on the two nations

23. The Schlieffen Plan Germany would fight the French first and then turn its attention towards Russia Germany would fight the French first and then turn its attention towards Russia Germany reasoned that Russia would have difficulty mobilizing its troops because of the lack of railroads in Russia Germany reasoned that Russia would have difficulty mobilizing its troops because of the lack of railroads in Russia Would have to finish off the French fast and then turn its attention to Russia Would have to finish off the French fast and then turn its attention to Russia

25. Germany invades Belgium Germany invades neutral Belgium Germany invades neutral Belgium Great Britain honors the Treaty of London that declared Belgium neutrality and declares war on Germany Great Britain honors the Treaty of London that declared Belgium neutrality and declares war on Germany Alliances Alliances Central Powers: Germany & Austria Hungary (later Bulgaria & Ottoman Empire) Central Powers: Germany & Austria Hungary (later Bulgaria & Ottoman Empire) Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, & Russia Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, & Russia