The Great War: The War to End All Wars Causes of World War I

Causes of World War I World War 1 was also known as: The War to End All Wars The First Modern War The Imperialist War The Trench War The Great War

Europe during the war Europe before the war Europe before the war The Allied Powers The Eastern Front The Western Front WW1 is a two-front war because Germany has to fight the Allies on both sides The Central Powers

Russia turns Communist (USSR) Europe before the war Europe after the war Europe before the war New countries! Divided empires! New countries! New countries! New countries! New countries! Divided empires! New countries! Russia turns Communist (USSR)

What Caused World War 1? Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

Imperialism In 1898, England & France argued over rights to the Sudan in Africa (the Fashoda Incident) In 1899, Germany, England, & Russia argued over rights to build a railroad in India The Industrial Revolution led to hostile competition as imperialists fought over the same colonies In 1905, 1908, & 1911, Germany & France almost went to war over Morocco

Militarism Europeans believed their national power was determined by their military strength (militarism): The Industrial Revolution led to large, advanced armies & navies with new industrial weapons Because European countries tried to keep up with each other, an arms race began; This made it difficult to settle minor problems by talking things out

The European Arms Race: England & Germany competed to create the largest navies in Europe

Nationalism France wanted revenge against Germany for its loss during the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 Nationalism created feelings of great pride & united the citizens of a country & led some countries to want revenge for previous wars German “Hymn of Hate” song: Hate by water & hate by land; Hate of the heart & hate of the hand; We love as one; We hate as one; We have but one foe alone: England

The Slavic peoples wanted to unite & form a Slavic nation (Yugoslavia) but Austria-Hungary did not want this to happen Nationalism also divided people; The most tense place in Europe by 1914 was the Balkans as Serbia, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, & Romania all broke from the Ottoman Empire to make new nations

Pan-Slavism in the Balkans, 1914 The Balkans became a “powder keg” waiting for a spark to blow up

Alliances Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy made up the Triple Alliance England, France, & Russia made up the Triple Entente No nation wanted to fight in a war by itself so nations formed alliances: These alliances did not make Europe more secure, they made it more tense

Causes of WWI By 1914, Europe was in a bad position: Powerful European nations had large armies & navies Militarism supported the idea that war can be good & can bring glory to nation & its people (Nationalism) Nations were tied together by alliances, so if one country went to war, the others had to go too

The Spark What was the ignition point for WWI? The assassination of the Austro- Hungarian archduke, Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie

Archduke Franz Ferdinand fact file Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne Unpopular due to his marriage to Sophie who was considered to be of lower class Visited Sarajevo in 1914 in an attempt to improve relations between the monarchy and the Bosnian people

Tensions in the Balkans Russia & Austria-Hungary wanted to control the Balkans Austria-Hungary wanted to stamp out growing Slav nationalism Russia saw herself as protector of the Slavs Both wanted access to the Mediterranean Sea 1908: Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia

Reactions to the annexation Bosnians angry: wanted freedom from Austria-Hungary to form a strong Slav state with Serbia Serbians concerned about Austria-Hungary’s aggression

The Black Hand Society Fierce Slav nationalists: hated Austria and prepared to kill for freedom Goal: creation of a Greater Serbia Secret society with links to the Serbian government and army "...before God, on my honour and my life, that I will execute all missions and commands without question. I swear before God, on my honor and on my life, that I will take all the secrets of this organization into my grave with me."

28th June 1914 Saw opportunity to assassinate the future Emperor of Austria-Hungary

Days that Shook the World The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand Part 1 Part 2 Part 3- stop at 4 minute mark

The Assassin: Gavrilo Princip

The War Begins On July 23, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia: Either allow Austria-Hungarian officials to investigate the assassination …OR… Go to war On July 28,1914 Serbia declined the ultimatum & Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

Hurray! War is great! Let’s go beat those Germans!

How was WW1 a “world” war?

How was WW1 a “world” war?

Essential Question What four factors led to World War I? What alliances were formed? What role did nationalism play in causing WWI? What is militarism?

Roots of WWI Video (5:36)

What were the M.A.I.N Causes of WWI? Map Activity