Origins of the Great War

The World c.1900 Still mostly dominated by European powers Industrial revolution led to major social and political changes –E.g. expanded voting rights, mass media, socialist movements Imperialism

Nationalism 19 th Century Europe dominated by nation-states National rivalries intensified Motivated imperial conquests Influenced by Social Darwinism Led to increased militarism “jingoism”

The Alliance System As a result of the Franco- Prussian War, Germany & France were bitter enemies Bismarck’s main concerns were France & Russia Bismarck pursued careful diplomacy Three Emperors’ League –Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia

The Alliance System (cont.) Three Emperors’ League fell apart The Dual Alliance –Germany & Austria-Hungary Italy joined to create the Triple Alliance Alliance of the Three Emperors’ Tensions between Austria- Hungary & Russia caused Russia to end the alliance

The Alliance System (cont.) In 1887 Germany & Russia signed the Reinsurance Treaty In 1890 Kaiser William II forced Bismarck to resign & ended the Reinsurance Treaty In 1894, France made an alliance with Russia

The Alliance System (cont.) Britain’s policy was “splendid isolation” After 1890, increased tensions with Germany caused British policy to change –Economic competition –Germans building up their navy –German support for Boers

The Alliance System (cont.) In 1904 France accepted British rule in Egypt in order to form an “entente” w/ Britain st Moroccan Crisis, drew Britain closer to France British Dreadnought intensified the naval race Germany’s Berlin to Baghdad railroad threatened British interests in the Middle East In 1907 Britain, France, and Russia formed the Triple Entente

Anglo-German Rivalry The Influence of Sea Power Upon History by Alfred Thayer Mahan (1890). Sea power is most important Germany completes its first Dreadnought; Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz further expands naval buildup Public opinion in both countries is influenced by a hostile press nd Moroccan Crisis

Nationalism in the Balkans Ottoman weakness led to the “Eastern Question” Nationalism grew amongst the Slavic populations Austria-Hungary & Russia both believed they could gain territories

Nationalism in the Balkans (cont.) 1878 Congress of Berlin Serbia won independence Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia-Herzegovina Other Balkan states became independent; Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro Three Emperors’ League ended

Nationalism in the Balkans (cont.) Serbia hoped to lead a united Slavic nation-state; Russia supported them In 1908 Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia- Herzegovina; Serbia was outraged Russia also upset, but received no support from Britain & France

Nationalism in the Balkans (cont.) In 1912 Serbia defeated the Ottomans & gained territory on the Adriatic Austria-Hungary forced Serbia to give up the territory & created Albania Russia had promised to support Serbia, but backed down when Germany supported Austria-Hungary

The Outbreak of War Nationalism was a problem for Austria-Hungary In 1914 Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand went to Sarajevo on a goodwill mission Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist

The Outbreak of War (cont.) Austria-Hungary wanted war with Serbia Germany gave Austria- Hungary a “blank check”; urged swift action; hoped to keep the war localized Austria gave Serbia an ultimatum

The Outbreak of War (cont.) Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia Russia began to mobilize Germany was forced to take decisive action, or the Schlieffen Plan would fail

The Schlieffen Plan Germany’s plan for a two- front war Must defeat France first before Russians attack France first; through Belgium; then Russia Invasion of Belgium draws Britain into the war

The Great War Begins Aug. 1, Germans invaded Luxembourg & Belgium; general war begins European armies march off to cheering crowds Both sides confidant that they will return by Christmas