World War I Outbreak of War in Europe

Causes of WWI Key Terms M M ilitarism A A lliances I I mperialism N N ationalism The policy of building up military forces or threatening armed aggression An agreement between nations to come to the defense of each other if attacked by another nation. The attempt by a nation to control the political, economic, and cultural affairs of another nation Pride in and devotion to one’s country

Germany Leaders – Kaiser Wilheim (King) – Otto von Bismark (chancellor)

Germany Nationalism had fueled German Unification – Blood and Iron policy – 1871: the German nation was formed from a group of independent nation-states with a common heritage Bismarck transformed the nation into a industrial and military power

Germany Foreign Policy – Establish alliances to prevent Russia and France becoming allies – Increase military strength – Increase German influence in world affairs

France Wanted to regain role as a power in Europe History of conflict with the German states – Competition for territory in Africa – Territorial disputes over the border – Franco-Prussian War Suffered humiliating defeat to the Germans Lost territory on its border (Alsace Lorraine) Began to build up its military to get revenge La Revenge

Great Britain Had a large empire Had a large empire – “Sun never sets on the British Empire” powerful army/navy powerful army/navy Saw German industrialization and militarization as a potential threat Saw German industrialization and militarization as a potential threat – Led Britain to form close ties with France

Russia controlled by a autocratic czar (king) – Czar Nicholas Romanov II – Repressed the people – Opposed reforms Led to a growing opposition to the rule of the Czar Promoted Pan-Slavism – Nationalist movement to unite Slavic people in E. Europe – Came to the defense of Slavic people in the Balkans Serbia

Ottoman Empire A once powerful empire that was losing its power A once powerful empire that was losing its power History of conflicts with Russia History of conflicts with Russia Had good relations with Germany Had good relations with Germany

Austria-Hungary Leader: Leader: – Franz Joseph – The Dual Monarchy Austrian monarch and Hungarian monarchs shared power

Austria-Hungary Controlled many different ethnic groups Controlled many different ethnic groups Nationalism fueled ethnic minorities desire for independence from Austria Nationalism fueled ethnic minorities desire for independence from Austria – Balkans (Serbs and Croats) – Czechs – Poland “The Powder Keg of Europe”

System of Alliances The Triple Entente The Triple Alliance Germany Austria Hungary Italy Ottoman Empire will become allies later forming the Central Powers Russia Great Britain France

The Balkan Powder Keg Serbian nationalists wanted to unite Serbs in the Balkans Serbian nationalists wanted to unite Serbs in the Balkans – Create a Slavic state – Austria-Hungary opposed this effort Austria- Hungary annexed Bosnia- Herzegovina Austria- Hungary annexed Bosnia- Herzegovina – Large number of Serbs – Angered Serbian nationalists

The Spark Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism June, 28, 1914: Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, Assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Hungary in Sarajevo

Archduke Franz Ferdinand & His Family

The Assassination: Sarajevo

The Assassin: Gavrilo Princip Gavrilo Princip

THE ALLIANCE SYSTEMS GO INTO ACTION ? ? Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia Russia mobilizes army to the border with A-H Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France Great Britain declares war on Germany

Outbreak of War Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for death of Archduke and makes harsh demands Serbia refused to comply with demands Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia (July ) Russia moves troops to border with Austria and Germany Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France Germany invades Belgium as part of plan to invade France (August 3, 1914) Great Britain declares war on Germany

Points for Discussion What are the four primary causes of WWI What is the immediate cause of WWI