Road to WWI Darrenkamp

A “Snapshot” of the Players European nations were very competitive at the end of the 19 th century. Many European nations were becoming powerful, and some who had been powerful, were losing power… Here were the major “players”

Great Britain Richest trading nation Very successful industrial nation Largest empire in the world Most powerful navy Island nation…natural barrier to invasion

France A strong power in Europe for a LONG time Strong army Angry at Germany because of loss to Germany in 1870 War (Franco-Prussian War), where Germany took over Alsace-Lorraine region…. FRANCE WANTED IT BACK…was waiting for a chance!!!

Germany New nation (1870) under Kaiser Wilhelm II Wanted to be considered a major power Developed well trained army – Continued to build military (competition/security) Well developed industry Competitive…felt threatened by Britain and France both economically and militarily MILITARISM

Austria-Hungary Old Empire…used to be powerful Continued problems with different ethnic groups… – Many people wanted to rule themselves…this threatened the small group that was in charge! Mostly Germans and Hungarians were in charge… Austria wanted to prevent groups breaking away (Think Domino’s) Worried that Serbs in A-H would break away and wanted to join Serbia. Allied with Germany

Russia Had the most land and largest population Ruled by Tsar Nicholas II (weak ruler) Weak nation (Economic/Political problems) – Most people were poor peasants/uneducated – Industry wasn’t developed…VERY little modernization – People angry that they were beaten in Russo- Japanese War in Wanted elected government. Didn’t like Tsar. Protective towards many ethnic groups in Balkan area…(Serbs, for example)

Now…add the “isms” Nationalism: Being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one’s country. – Throughout Europe… Militarism: Army and Military forces have a lot of power in the government. – Arms competition between France, Germany, Britain Imperialism: A strong country taking over and controlling a weaker one. – Europe…competition between Br/Fr/Germany

Alliance: Generally motivated by FEARS ( ) 1879: DUAL ALLIANCE – Germany/A-H (protect from Russia) 1881: AUSTRO-SERBIAN ALLIANCE – A-H/Serbian alliance (protect Serbia from Russian control) : THREE EMPEROR’S LEAGUE – Germany/A-H/Russia (Tries to bring stability to area…FAILS)

Alliance: Generally motivated by FEARS ( ), Cont. 1882: TRIPLE ALLIANCE – Germany/A-H/Italy (designed to stop Italy from taking sides with Russia) : AUSTRO-GERMAN-ROMANIAN ALLIANCE – Germany/A-H/Romania (designed to protect from Russian intervention in Balkans) 1894: FRANCO-RUSSIAN ALLIANCE – France/Russia (designed to protect from Austria- Hungary and Germany)

Alliance: Generally motivated by FEARS ( ), Cont. 1904: ENTENTE CORDIALE – Britain/France form an Alliance 1907: TRIPLE ENTENTE – Britain/France/Russia (protect from declining relationship between Germany/Britain and Germany/Russia) 1907: ANGLO-RUSSIAN ENTENTE – Britain/Russia form an Alliance

Influences on Alliances: The Schlieffen Plan (1905) In “case” of a war… German plan to hold off Russia, and attack France through Belgium…take Paris. THEN…turn and focus attention on defeating Russia. Does this sound a bit AGGRESSIVE, considering the war doesn’t START until 1914??

Influences on Alliances: Bosnian Crisis of 1908 Austria-Hungary takes over Bosnia – Serbia gets mad…thinks that territory should be theirs – A-H mobilizes for war… – Germany, due to alliances also mobilizes…fear of Russia getting involved – Russia backs down 1911: War in Balkans…they kick Turkey out of area… – Now, deciding who should belong to who… – Austria-Hungary forces Serbia to give up land… THIS ANGERS SERBIA…..

And the “FINAL STRAW”… Sarajevo, 1914 Sarajevo is part of Bosnia at this time… Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Heir to A-H throne) assassinated by Serbian nationalist. – Was a member of a revolutionary group called the Young Bosnians that wanted independence from A-H. – No connection was found to the Serbian government, but A-H wanted to use the excuse to crush Serbia QUICKLY LEADS TO WAR