WWI Background

Causes of WWI Four long term causes Basically, Germany Nationalism: a deep devotion to ones own nation and culture Leads to competitive and antagonistic rivalries among nations Imperialism Germany industrialized to complete with France & Britain in contest for colonies.

Causes of WWI Militarism: the development of armed forces & use them as a tool of diplomacy. This coupled with Nationalism is worrisome. Alliance System Two major alliance systems developed Allied Powers: France, Britain, and Russia (later USA) Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

Assassination Leads to War Balkan Peninsula  “the powder keg of Europe” European countries were competing for influence in the land Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, visited the Bosnian capital and a Serbian nationalist shot and killed him & his wife. Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia. Why would this spark a full out world war? The Alliance System pulled one nation after another into the conflict. Germany obligated by treaty with Austria-Hungry, declares war on Russia Germany declares war on Russia’s ally, France Germany invades Belgium  Britain declares war on Germany & Austria-Hungry