The Causes of WWI

Road to War Early 1900s, Imperialism was main concern in most European nations Nations made many alliances for protection –If attacked, allies defend each other –small conflict could become a war

WWI Starts June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and wife assassinated by Gavrilo Princip –this event triggers WWI –Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

Sarajevo

Australia Entered war together with Britain on 4 August August 1914 Austria-Hungary Declared war with Serbia on 28 July 1914 Declared war with Russia on 6 August 1914 Declared war with Belgium on 28 August 1914 Declared war with Portugal on 15 March July August August March 1916 Belgium Invaded by Germany on 3 August August 1914 Bolivia Severed relations with Germany on 13 April April 1917 Brazil Severed relations with Germany on 11 April 1917 Declared war with Germany on 26 October April October 1917 Bulgaria Declared war with Serbia on 14 October 1915 Declared war with Romania on 1 September October September 1916 Canada Entered war together with Britain on 4 August August 1914 China Severed relations with Germany on 14 March 1917 Declared war with Germany on 14 August 1917 Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 14 August March August August 1917 Costa Rica Severed relations with Germany on 21 September 1917 Declared war with Germany on 23 May September May 1918 Cuba Declared war with Germany on 7 April April 1917 Ecuador Severed relations with Germany on 8 December December 1917 France Invaded by Germany on 2 August 1914 Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 12 August 1914 Declared war with Turkey on 5 November 1914 Declared war with Bulgaria on 16 October August August November October 1915 Germany Declared war with Russia on 1 August 1914 Declared war with France on 3 August 1914 Declared war with Belgium on 4 August 1914 Declared war with Portugal on 9 March August August August March 1916 Greece Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 27 June 1917 Declared war with Bulgaria on 27 June 1917 Declared war with Germany on 27 June 1917 Declared war with Turkey on 27 June June 1917 Guatemala Declared war with Germany on 23 April April 1918 Haiti Declared war with Germany on 12 July July 1918 Honduras Declared war with Germany on 19 July July 1918 Italy Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915 Declared war with Turkey on 21 August 1915 Declared war with Germany on 28 August 1915 Declared war with Bulgaria on 19 October May August August October 1915 Japan Declared war with Germany on 23 August 1914 Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 25 August August August 1914 Liberia Declared war with Germany on 4 August August 1914 Montenegro Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 5 August 1914 Declared war with Germany on 8 August 1914 Declared war with Bulgaria on 15 October August August October 1915 New Zealand Entered war together with Britain on 4 August August 1914 Nicaragua Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 8 May 1918 Declared war with Germany on 8 May May 1918 Panama Declared war with Germany on 7 April 1917 Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 10 December April December 1917 Peru Severed relations with Germany on 6 October October 1917 Portugal Entered war against Germany on 9 March 1916 Entered war against Austria-Hungary on 15 March March March 1916 Romania Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 27 August 1916 Exited war with Treaty of Bucharest on 7 May 1918 Re-entered the war on 10 November August 1916Treaty of Bucharest7 May November 1918 Russia Declared war with Turkey on 2 November 1914 Declared war with Bulgaria on 19 October November October 1915 San Marino Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 3 June June 1915 Serbia Declared war with Germany on 6 August 1914 Declared war with Turkey on 2 November August November 1914 Siam Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 22 July 1917 Declared war with Germany on 22 July July July 1917 Turkey Declared war with Romania on 30 August 1916 Severed relations with United States on 23 April August April 1917 United Kingdom Declared war with Germany on 4 August 1914 Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 12 August 1914 Declared war with Turkey on 5 November 1914 Declared war with Bulgaria on 15 October August August November October 1915 United States of America Declared war with Germany on 6 April 1917 Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 7 December April December 1917 Uruguay Severed relations with Germany on 7 October October 1917

WWI Alliances Central Powers Austria-Hungary Germany Bulgaria The Ottoman Empire Allies Belgium Great Britain France Italy Russia Serbia * plus six other countries

Alliances create a WORLD war Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia Russia comes to aid of Serbia Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France and prepares to invade Belgium Great Britain declares war on Germany Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia France and Great Britain declare war on Austria- Hungary

Causes of World War I Causes of WWI Imperialism Nationalism Militarism Alliances

Imperialism Policy in which stronger nations extend their control over weaker nations –Britain, France, Germany, and Italy competing for land in Asia and Africa –Wanted new markets and resources –Competition led to military conflict

Nationalism Strong feeling of pride, loyalty, and protectiveness towards one’s country –European nations’ need to show power and strength Freedom from foreign rule –France wants Germany to return Alsace and Lorraine lost in Franco-Prussian war People of the same nationality wanted to form their own nation-state –Slavs had a long-term goal to develop their culture and unite into an empire Serbian nationals wanting to unite Bosnia with Serbia Russia – protector of the Slavs

Militarism Glorification of war and the military –Competition for military power and strength Arms race – competition to build up armed forces and weapons Standing armies – soldiers trained and ready to fight Conscription – mandatory participation of civilians in the military, draft Increase in military spending Increasing influence of military in the government –Example: Germany expanded its navy, Britain soon followed with a bigger and better navy

Alliances Partnership agreement to go to war if one country in the partnership is attacked –Aim is to discourage other countries from attacking members of the alliance Triple Entente –France, Russia, and Great Britain Triple Alliance –Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy