Causes of World War I (Immediate Causes)

I. Imperialism Competition between France, Great Britain, Germany and, Italy in Africa. Disputes between Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Serbia over the condition of the Balkans.

Imperialism Continued… Russia wanted Serbia as the core of an independent Slavic state -Yugoslavia. “Pan-Slavism” Unification and cooperation of all Slavic people. This could provide the Russians with access to warm water ports. Austria-Hungary viewed the Balkans as potential colonial territory.

II. Nationalism Intense feelings of national pride were built up and encouraged in all the major powers. Example - The French were taught to want revenge for the loss of Alsace-Lorraine.

III. Militarism The technological revolution created an arms race across Europe. The major powers needed to build new weapons to compete with their potential rivals. Germany & France- Competition for army sizes and artillery.

Militarism Cont… Germany & Great Britain - Naval arms race. This was a major competition in naval construction and technology. It represented a serious threat to Great Britain’s naval supremacy. It was the first time Germany could potentially threaten Britain’s trade on the high seas.

IV. Inter-tangling Secret Alliances Due to the upset in the European balance of power caused by German unification, nations looked for allies to improve their own security. Allied Powers (Triple Entente) – Great Britain, France, Russia, and Serbia.

Inter-Tangling Alliances Cont… Dual Alliance between France and Russia was intended to provide mutual support if either were attacked by Germany. Great Britain would defend France only if Germany attacked her, and if it threatened British interests. Britain would not tolerate France or Germany occupying Belgium. (This is the Entente part)

Inter-tangling Secret Alliances Cont… Central Powers (Triple Alliance) - Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. This alliance system along with the other existing tensions pulled Europe into war when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Serbia in 1914. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and Germany follows suit.

V. Economics Great Britain felt threatened by Germany’s rapid industrial and economic growth (Germany’s factories were out-producing Britain’s) Britain feared Germany may cut off necessary naval trade routes to England.