The Road to War (Causes of W.W.I) Ch. 29 Section 1

Setting the Stage At the turn of the 20 th Century, the nations of Europe had been at peace with one another for nearly 30 years.At the turn of the 20 th Century, the nations of Europe had been at peace with one another for nearly 30 years. Efforts to outlaw war and achieve a permanent peace had been gaining momentum in Europe.Efforts to outlaw war and achieve a permanent peace had been gaining momentum in Europe. However, below the surface of peace and goodwill, several forces were at work that would help propel Europe into war.However, below the surface of peace and goodwill, several forces were at work that would help propel Europe into war.

The Great War Several factors lead to World War I, a conflict that devastates Europe and has a major impact on the world. Today we are going to explore the M.A.I.N (causes of W.W.I)

Militarism Militarism- A glorification of armed strength.Militarism- A glorification of armed strength. There was a growing race to arms.There was a growing race to arms. When the possibility of war became apparent most of the European nations prepared.When the possibility of war became apparent most of the European nations prepared. Built Large ArmiesBuilt Large Armies Made complex mobilization plans.Made complex mobilization plans. Mobilize – to get into any position to be ready for war.Mobilize – to get into any position to be ready for war. Store of ammunition for British trench mortars

Alliances Growing rivalries between countries led nations to make alliances with one another. The Great Powers of Europe had formed two camps. The alliance system had be designed to keep peace in Europe but it helped push the continent to war.

Between 1864 and 1871, Prussia’s blood and iron chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, freely used war to unify Germany.Between 1864 and 1871, Prussia’s blood and iron chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, freely used war to unify Germany. After 1871, Bismarck declared Germany to be a “Satisfied power.” He then turned his energies to maintaining peace in EuropeAfter 1871, Bismarck declared Germany to be a “Satisfied power.” He then turned his energies to maintaining peace in Europe Bismarck saw France as the greatest threat to peace (France still wanted revenge for its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War).Bismarck saw France as the greatest threat to peace (France still wanted revenge for its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War). Therefore, he wanted to isolate France.Therefore, he wanted to isolate France. In 1879, Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary and 3 years later, Italy joined the two countries.In 1879, Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary and 3 years later, Italy joined the two countries. In 1881, Bismarck took yet another possible ally away from France by making a treaty with Russia.In 1881, Bismarck took yet another possible ally away from France by making a treaty with Russia.

In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy changed dramatically b/c Kaiser Wilhelm II forced Bismarck to resign and he became ruler.In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy changed dramatically b/c Kaiser Wilhelm II forced Bismarck to resign and he became ruler. Besides wanting to assert his own power, the new Kaiser was eager to show the world just how mighty Germany had become. Besides wanting to assert his own power, the new Kaiser was eager to show the world just how mighty Germany had become. Wilhelm let his nation’s treaty with Russia lapse in 1890 and Russia responded by forming a defensive military alliance with France in 1894.Wilhelm let his nation’s treaty with Russia lapse in 1890 and Russia responded by forming a defensive military alliance with France in Bismarck’s fear b/c war with Russia or France would force Germany to fight a two-front war.Bismarck’s fear b/c war with Russia or France would force Germany to fight a two-front war. Next, Wilhelm began a tremendous shipbuilding program to equal that of Great Britain.Next, Wilhelm began a tremendous shipbuilding program to equal that of Great Britain. Alarmed, Great Britain made an alliance with France and Russia.Alarmed, Great Britain made an alliance with France and Russia.

Triple AllianceTriple Alliance GermanyGermany Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary ItalyItaly Formed in 1882Formed in 1882 Triple Entente Britain France Russia Formed in 1907 Europe Divided

Imperialism Imperialism was another force that helped lead to war.Imperialism was another force that helped lead to war. Imperialistic nations did not have equal shares of land and riches.Imperialistic nations did not have equal shares of land and riches. Countries became rivals, trying to outdo each other.Countries became rivals, trying to outdo each other. France and Germany, each seeking control of parts of Africa, almost came to war twice.France and Germany, each seeking control of parts of Africa, almost came to war twice. Such competition bred mistrust. Such competition bred mistrust.

Nationalism Nationalism helped unify the people of a country.Nationalism helped unify the people of a country. Helped promote competition between countries.Helped promote competition between countries. By 1900 six nations were rivals for power in Europe.By 1900 six nations were rivals for power in Europe. The Great Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and France.The Great Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and France.

M.A.I.N Causes of WWICauses of WWI M-MilitarismM-Militarism A-AlliancesA-Alliances I-ImperialismI-Imperialism N-NationalismN-Nationalism

Spark By 1914, rival alliances, nationalism, imperialism, and an arms race had brought Europe to the brink of war. All that was needed was a spark to light the fuse.By 1914, rival alliances, nationalism, imperialism, and an arms race had brought Europe to the brink of war. All that was needed was a spark to light the fuse.

Trouble in the Balkans The spirit of Nationalism would become a problem for some nations.The spirit of Nationalism would become a problem for some nations. Austria-Hungary looked to extend its influence on the Balkan Peninsula.Austria-Hungary looked to extend its influence on the Balkan Peninsula. However much of the Slavic Speaking population struggled for their independence.However much of the Slavic Speaking population struggled for their independence. Serbs living in Austria-Hungary wanted to be part of Serbia (a neighboring country). Many of these Serbs lived in Sarajevo (City in Austria Hungary)Serbs living in Austria-Hungary wanted to be part of Serbia (a neighboring country). Many of these Serbs lived in Sarajevo (City in Austria Hungary) The Austrian Emperor sent his nephew Franz Ferdinand to Sarajevo to try to improve relations with the Serbs. The Austrian Emperor sent his nephew Franz Ferdinand to Sarajevo to try to improve relations with the Serbs.

The Shot Heard Around the World In June 1914, a Serbian shot and killed the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary— Franz Ferdinand.In June 1914, a Serbian shot and killed the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary— Franz Ferdinand. Gavrilo Princip- shot Ferdinand and wife.Gavrilo Princip- shot Ferdinand and wife. Propelled Europe and its allies into what would become known as the "War To End All Wars".Propelled Europe and its allies into what would become known as the "War To End All Wars".

Franz Ferdinand Gavrilo Princip