Document A What were the underlying causes of World War I? 1. World War I began in 1914. 2. The countries of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy made up the Triple Alliance. France, England,, and Russia are all part of the Triple Entente. 3. Yes, Germany had a legitimate reason to worry, with Russia on their eastern border, and France was on their western border, it would have been hard to fight a war on two borders. 4. If Italy switched sides, they would abandon Germany and Austria-Hungary. 5. If this map were my only evidence, it would suggest that if a nation in one alliance were to attack a nation in another alliance, it’s possible for six nations to quickly find themselves at war. *** Which bucket would you place this document in? ***

Document B What was the underlying cause of WWI? August 5, 1914 is significant because it is within a week of the start of the war. If you look closely at the cartoon, it reveals why the war started. The cartoonist was an American named John T. McCuteheon. The cartoonist information is significant because it shows the opinion of an unbiased observer. The “Crime of the Ages”, is the stabbing to death of the “Peace of Europe”. You can see her lying on the table in the background with a dagger in her. The cartoon shows each country pointing the blame at another. Eventually revealing how alliances can quickly bring outside countries into a war. The hand could represent a number of things. The cartoon show that childish nations that were locked together by alliances, all pointed the blame to someone else for killing the “Peace of Europe”. It was obvious that alliances were a big part of the problem. ***Which bucket would you place this document in? ***

Document C What was the underlying cause of WWI? In 1890, Germany and Austria-Hungary spent about 42 million pounds. In 1914, their spending increased to about 150 million pounds. In 1890, Great Britain, Russia, and France spent about 100 million pounds. In 1914, their spending increased to about 225 million pounds. Great Britain spent the greatest percent on its navy. They wanted a strong navy to defend their island. 4. Yes, there is evidence to support the claim that an arms build up was an underlying cause of World War I. Austria-Hungary and Germany nearly quadrupled arms spending from 42 to 150 million pounds. An argument can be made that a military build-up can serve as a deterrent to war. This idea was used during the Cold War.

Document D What was the underlying cause of WWII? Von Bulow worried about England, France, and Russia, because these three countries had been acquiring colonies around the world. An anvil is a heavy block of steel with a flat, smooth top on which objects like horseshoes are beaten and shaped with a hammer. Von Bulow means Germany will either be the aggressor or the victim, beater or the beaten, the winner or the loser. It looks like Germany would likely hammer England, France, and Russia. Von Bulow would have supported Darwin’s idea. What Darwin believed about animals, von Bulow believed about nations. Von Bulow gave his speech 15 years before the start of the war, and he talked about survival of the fittest – kill or be killed. This required an arms build-up because Germany lagged behind Britain in armaments. Alliances would have helped balance power. Arms were considered the hammer of war.

Document E – The British Octopus What was the underlying cause of WWI? This cartoon was written in German and created in 1917, three years into the war. Freiheit der Meere means “Freedom of the seas”. England der Blutsauger der Welt means “England, the bloodsucker of the world”. The main point made by the cartoonist is that British colonialism is sucking natural resources out of Africa, Asia, Australia, and even South America. It also shows that Germany is justified in being at war with England. Yes, Germans should worry about the freedom of the seas. In 1914, British naval expenditures were over 40 million lb compared to about 20 million lbs in Germany. Document E suggests “colonialism” is the underlying cause of war. In particular, it shows Germany to be fearful of two things: one, the number of colonies Britain has control over, two, their control over the seas. If England gobbles up the world’s resources, its economy, its navy, and its military will be strong. Germany will be left with table scraps and will become a second-class nation.

Document F – Size of Colonial Empires in 1913 What was the underlying cause of WWI? The total area for British colonies is approximately 12,740,000 square miles. The Triple Entente held a combined total of 17,180,000 square miles. The combined area held Germany and Austria-Hungary was 1,139,000 sq miles. A large colonial population could provide cheap labor, soldiers, and markets for buying the manufactured goods of the mother country. The colonial gap was a big problem for Germany and Austria-Hungary. The lack of colonies meant fewer natural resources and fewer markets for selling their goods. This economic weakness made Germany and Austria-Hungary an anvil, not a hammer. Economic desperation could easily lead to war. Forming alliances and building up arms can help a nation acquire and hold onto colonial possessions. Colonialism was the driving force leading to war.