Lesson Two: Causes of WWI World War I Lesson Two: Causes of WWI

Nationalism Extreme love and adoration of ones country. Leads to contempt to other nations. Many different nationalities and heritages in close proximity. Rise in nationalism throughout the 19th century. Many large groups didn’t have a nation of their own. Italy became a nation during this time period. Split up into smaller sections controlled by ruling families or factions. Sometimes by other nations; southern by Spain and northern by Austria. Main leader to free and form independent nations was Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1861. Germany was also split into 40 different states. Largest was Prussia. Strong military power, control over other states, very powerful Prime Minister in the 1860s Otto von Bismarck. Wanted to unite into one strong Germany, with powerful force and ruthlessness. Took control for himself. States then joined together and invaded France.

Nationalism cont. Germans punished and humiliated French military, government and people. Forced to give up the Alsace-Lorraine region. French controlled but bordered Germany. German states joined together permanently and Wilhelm I, the Prussian king, became the German Kaiser, or king. Unification benefited Germany; became powerful and industrialized nation. Wilhelm II took over and shook up country. Issue whether or not to join in race for conquering other nations and setting up colonies, like other European nations. Debate removed Otto von Bismarck from power because he didn’t. King did.

Imperialism Practice or action of one nation taking over a smaller, or less powerful, one for land, money, resources, or people. Many European countries did this across globe. England example of this. Queen Victoria spread English empire so that the “sun never set on it.” Had colony on every continent on globe. Brought England great wealth, resources, prestige and competition. Other nations looked at them to spread their influence as wide. Area that impacted most during 19th century Africa. Slaves not being traded anymore, wanted Africa’s vast resources. Convert Africans (missionaries), sell goods to them and take control of land they lived on. Not successful in converting savages, yet introduced them to new technologies. Explorers like David Livingston map “unknown” areas of Africa. Gave companies and governments target areas for expansion. Led to the Berlin Conference of 1884. Decided rules for taking over land in Africa and how should be divided.

Militarism Not done nicely or peacefully. Many lives lost and ruined. Intense campaigns took place in North Africa where French took over Tunisia and Algeria, while British invaded Egypt to protect Suez Canal. Linked Indian Ocean to Europe. India was colony of Britain. To keep taking over lands, had to strengthen and improve military. Most European added new weapons, and massive amounts of military machines. Definition: build up of a country’s military.

Systems of Alliances Entangling treaties and friendships that bound nations together. During time nations competing with one another for land and nationalism boiling in Europe. Smaller nations aligned with larger ones; afraid they would be taken over. Wanted to be with others of similar interest. Main example was Serbia. They were threatened by Austria-Hungary. Serbia aligned with Russia. Russia wanted to make sure it had access to the Balkans and route to Mediterranean Sea. Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy signed a pact that if they were attacked by either France or Great Britain they would all join in. Triple Entente: France, Russia and Great Britain signed a pact because worried about German Military.

Europe Summer of 1914 Austria-Hungary wanted to push southward; not popular country in the Balkan region of Southern Europe. June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand traveling through Balkan province of Bosnia-Herzegovina when he and his wife was shot and killed by a Serbian assassin Gavrilo Princip. Ferdinand was heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne. He was nephew of the king and became heir after his cousin committed suicide and his father passed away. July 28, 1914: The Austrian-Hungarian gov’t claimed work of the Serbian gov’t and declared war on Serbia. August 1, 1914: Germany declares war on Russia. Then France on Germany. August 3, 1914: Germany declares war on France (via Belgium). August 4, 1914: Great Britain declares war on Germany (longstanding pact with Belgium that would protect each other.)