M = Militarism A = Alliance System I = Imperialism N= Nationalism Causes of World War One M = Militarism A = Alliance System I = Imperialism N= Nationalism

Europe 1914

Europe Today

Europe

Imperialism Britain, France, and Germany. Britain and France had large overseas empires in Africa. Germany also wanted an overseas empire, however, they started late in “the Race for Africa”. As a result, Germany decided to cause trouble between France and Britain. Instead of breaking up the “Entente Cordiale”, Britain joined with France and Russia to form a closer relationship

Imperialism Austria – Hungary, Russia and Serbia. The Balkans:- A group of countries in the South East of Europe. As a result of the Balkan Wars the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) collapsed and several countries became independent: Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. Both Russia and Austria Hungary wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea through the Straits of Constantinople. At first Austria- Hungary agreed that Russia should have this access, then changed their minds. This caused a bitter rivalry between Russia and Austria-Hungary. Serbia became the most powerful Balkan country. Austria- Hungary and Serbia became rivals. Russia and Serbia became allies.

Militarism The Naval Arms Race Increase in Armies Germany:- Number of soldiers: 1880 = 1 300 000 1914 = 5 000 000 France:- Number of soldiers: 1880 = 740 000 1914 = 4 000 000

The Naval Arms Race Britain is an island therefore the Royal Navy was very important to Britain: to defend the country, the overseas empire and for trade. Britain used the “Two Power Standard”. This meant that the Royal Navy had to be bigger than the next two largest navies combined. Kaiser Wilhelm wanted to become a “Great Power”, to do this he needed to have a large navy to challenge Britain. 1900 German Navy Law:- ordered the building of 41 battleships and 60 cruisers. 1906:- Britain launched HMS Dreadnought. The most powerful warship of its time. Germany were worried by this; the German sailors called their own ships the “five minuters”! So Germany responded by building their own “dreadnought”. Britain responded by building a “super- Dreadnought”. By 1914 when war began Britain had 29 Dreadnought- class warships to Germany’s 17. Britain and Germany had become major rivals.

The Alliance Systems By 1914 there were two main systems of Alliances in Europe. One Alliance consisted of Austria-Hungary and Germany. This was known as the Dual Alliance. The members of the other Alliance were France, Russia and Great Britain. This Alliance was known as The Triple Entente. If war started between two countries in each of the different Alliances, the remaining countries would enter into the war.

The Alliance System