Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism MAIN Causes of WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

NATIONALISM Definition: “strong devotion to one’s national group or culture.” Began in 1800’s Germany and Italy were new New countries and power struggles Balkan Peninsula SE Europe (ex: Serbia) Areas w/certain ethnic groups might want freedom from an empire or bigger country Serbs had Serbia, but many lived outside borders  Serbia wanted to expand borders Austria-Hungary wouldn’t let Serbia expand

IMPERIALISM Definition: “the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.” Germany, France, Russia, and Great Britain = IMPERIAL nations To keep imperial lands safe from conquest by other imperial countries, MILITARISM grew

ALLIANCES Countries allied to protect themselves again MILTARISM from other countries Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Triple Entente united Russia and France (which had already allied) with Great Britain Alliances should keep war from starting because no country should want to start war with a different country and its allies as well

MILITARISM Massive military buildup To protect overseas colonies and IMPERIALISTIC powers Did they want to protect the people in the colonies or their own interest? Size of armed forces and navy’s grew sharply Especially in Germany Why Germany? Germany had practically no overseas land to protect. Countries with military were already to use them as soon as any trouble erupted – “Trigger-happy”