4 M.A.I.N. Causes of World War I

“M” stands for Militarism Conscripting soldiers, longer training periods, modern weaponry to gain military superiority

Armament industry- Krupp in Germany and Schneider in France encouraged increased production of military equipment

Germany had a military tradition celebrating armed force

Britain regarded the Germany naval program as a threat to British security

“A” stands for Alliance System Guaranteed support of all if one is attacked

Triple Alliance- Germany, Austro-Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente- Britain, France, and Russia

Map of Europe before WWI

“I” stands for Imperialism Russia and Austro-Hungary rivals in the Balkans

Britain and Germany competed for Markets and imperial control in Africa and Asia

Germany and France clashed over Morocco 1905, 1911 Panther

“N” stands for Nationalism France wants the French-inhabited provinces of Alsace-Lorraine, lost in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, back

Serbia wanted Austro-Hungarian territory inhabited by Slavs Subject peoples- Slavs, Czechs, Slovaks, and Poles- wanted independence

Intense patriotism assured support for warlike measures

Incident that started the war June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by a Serb nationalist. Also a Scottish Rock band