Causes of WWI: “MAIN”

Militarism

Alliances

Imperialism

Nat’lism

“MAIN” / Long term causes: / Militarism / Alliances / Imperialism / Nat’lism / Long term causes: / Militarism / Alliances / Imperialism / Nat’lism

M: Militarism or Arms Race / Armies and navies were greatly expanded / FR & DE - armies 2x in size / Naval expansion competitive - especially btwn DE and GB / British Dreadnought / Conscription = military draft / Ex. GB & US / Armies and navies were greatly expanded / FR & DE - armies 2x in size / Naval expansion competitive - especially btwn DE and GB / British Dreadnought / Conscription = military draft / Ex. GB & US

M: Militarism / Plans for mobilization / Ex. Schlieffen Plan / German Chief of Staff Alfred von Schlieffen / 2 front war scenario / Outlined a plan to conquer FR w/in 5 wks b4 RU could effectively mobilize for war on the E. Front (estimated at 6 wks) / Plans for mobilization / Ex. Schlieffen Plan / German Chief of Staff Alfred von Schlieffen / 2 front war scenario / Outlined a plan to conquer FR w/in 5 wks b4 RU could effectively mobilize for war on the E. Front (estimated at 6 wks)

A: Alliances / The forming of alliances between European countries / Three Emperors League - DE, AH, RU / Dual Alliance after RU backed out / The Triple Alliance - DE, AH, IT / The Triple Entente – FR, GB, RU / The forming of alliances between European countries / Three Emperors League - DE, AH, RU / Dual Alliance after RU backed out / The Triple Alliance - DE, AH, IT / The Triple Entente – FR, GB, RU

A: Alliances Continued / Secret Franco-Italian Alliance / IT neutral if DE attacked FR / Triple Alliance meaningless now / Reinsurance Treaty – DE & RU / If FR v. DE / If RU v. AH / Franco Russian Agreements / Secret Franco-Italian Alliance / IT neutral if DE attacked FR / Triple Alliance meaningless now / Reinsurance Treaty – DE & RU / If FR v. DE / If RU v. AH / Franco Russian Agreements

A: Alliances Continued / Entente Cordiale – GB & FR / Triple Entente with RU / Not militarily binding, but a “moral obligation” / Treaty of London 1839 / Committed GB to defend BE neutrality / RU pledge to protect Serbia / Entente Cordiale – GB & FR / Triple Entente with RU / Not militarily binding, but a “moral obligation” / Treaty of London 1839 / Committed GB to defend BE neutrality / RU pledge to protect Serbia

I: Imperialism / GB, DE, FR needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Rev. / These countries competed for econ expansion / GB, DE, FR needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Rev. / These countries competed for econ expansion

N: Nat’lism / Different ethnic groups struggling for independence and unification / Ex. Serbia thought Bosnia should be under their control as opposed to AH since Serbs + Bosnians are both Slavic / Bismarck built a DE Empire / FR wanted Alsace-Lorraine back from DE / Different ethnic groups struggling for independence and unification / Ex. Serbia thought Bosnia should be under their control as opposed to AH since Serbs + Bosnians are both Slavic / Bismarck built a DE Empire / FR wanted Alsace-Lorraine back from DE

Short term causes / June 28, 1914 / Archduke Francis Ferdinand / Heir to AH throne / Assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Serbian nationalists / Black Hand / AH convinced that Serbian gov’t had conspired against them / June 28, 1914 / Archduke Francis Ferdinand / Heir to AH throne / Assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Serbian nationalists / Black Hand / AH convinced that Serbian gov’t had conspired against them

Aftermath of Assassination / DE pledged full support aka “Blank Check” to AH / FR strengthened backing of RU / AH made impossible demands  Serbia / DE pledged full support aka “Blank Check” to AH / FR strengthened backing of RU / AH made impossible demands  Serbia

Declaration of War / July 28 AH declared war on Serbia / July 29 RU ordered a partial mobilization only against AH / August 1 DE declared war on RU / August 3 DE declared war on FR / DE invasion of Belgium to attack FR prompted GB to declare war on DE / July 28 AH declared war on Serbia / July 29 RU ordered a partial mobilization only against AH / August 1 DE declared war on RU / August 3 DE declared war on FR / DE invasion of Belgium to attack FR prompted GB to declare war on DE