WWI

Nationalism The growth of nationalism- people with the same ethnic origin, language, & political ideas along with a deep devotion to one’s nation—caused intense competition among Europe These countries were competing for territory (economic & colonial conflicts)

Intense nationalism in the nations of the Balkans led to demands for independence among Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians, and others. Nationalism

Imperialism and Militarism Imperialism, and the quest for colonies sometimes pushed European nations to the brink of war and intensified the sense of rivalry and mistrust. The nations of Europe took pride in having strong militaries and being prepared for war. This led to a dangerous arms race, especially between Great Britain & Germany. Glorifying military power is called militarism.

Tangled Alliances Growing rivalries and mutual mistrust had led to the creation of several military alliances among the Great Powers as early as the 1870s

Tangled Alliances Unification of Germany by Otto von Bismark Tension between France and Germany Dual Alliance: Germany-Austria-Hungary Triple Alliance: Italy joins

Triple Alliance (1881)

Tangled Alliances In 1890, Germany’s foreign policy changed dramatically. That year, Kaiser Wilhelm II—ruler of Germany—forced Bismarck to resign. Wilhelm let his nation’s treaty with Russia lapse in 1890. Russia formed a military alliance with France in 1892 and 1894. Such an alliance had been Bismarck’s fear.

Tangled Alliances Wilhelm starts building up his navy. Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, & Russia Triple Entente against Triple alliance

Military Alliances Before World War I

Crisis in the Balkans With a long history of nationalist uprisings and ethnic clashes, the Balkans was known as the “powder keg” of Europe.

By the 1900s the Ottoman Turks had collapsed and formed new nations In 1908, Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbian leaders were outraged and tensions between the two nations rose. Crisis in the Balkans

The beginning of the end: beginning of World War I On June 28, 1914 the heir to the throne of Austria, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated He was shot by a Serbian Nationalist The beginning of the end: beginning of World War I

The War Begins July 28, 1914: Austria declared war on Serbia. Russia, the protector of Serbia, mobilizes its forces toward the Austrian border. The War Begins

The Great War Very much a European conflict They will try to pull in colonial allies The Great War

Battle of Gallipoli: Hope to defeat the Ottoman Empire, a central powers ally Also want to open a supply line through region to Russia. Effort ends in costly Allied defeat. War affects the World

War Affects the world Battles in Africa and Asia Allies take control of German holdings in Asia and Africa. Britain and France use their colonial subjects to help in war effort War Affects the world

War Affects the World America Joins the Fight Germany seeks to control Atlantic Ocean to stop supplies to Britain. Germany uses unrestricted submarine warfare, and ships near Britain are sunk without warning. Germany halts this policy in 1915 after the sinking of the Lusitania angers the United States War Affects the World

RMS Lusitania arriving in New York on her maiden voyage arriving in New York in September 1907. Upon its sinking by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, 1,198 people died when the ship went down.

War Affects the World America Joins the Fight Zimmerman Telegram—effort to enlist Mexico in war against the United States—angers the United States. The United States declares war against Germany in April 1917 joining the Allies. War Affects the World

War Affects the Home Front Governments Wage Total War World War I becomes a “total war”—nations devote all resources to war. Governments take control of the economy to produce war goods. Nations turn to rationing—limiting purchases of war-related goods. Propaganda—one sided information to build morale and support for the war. War Affects the Home Front

Trench warfare

Trench warfare

Propaganda

The Allies Win the War The Central Powers Collapse With Russia gone, Germany moves most forces to Western Front Engage in major fighting; Allies force Germans to retreat. Allies win war; armistice—end of fighting—signed November 1918. The Allies Win the War