 In examining both tragedies and accomplishments in the past, we are usually interested in the questions of how and why. These questions start the search for causes: what were the actions, beliefs, and circumstances that led to these consequences?

 Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Austria  Bosnia was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, but had a large Serbian population  Many Bosnians and Serbians believed that Bosnia should be part of Serbia

 June 28, 1914 – a member of a Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand shot and killed the archduke while he was on a visit in Sarajevo, Bosnia

 Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbians for the tragedy and turned to Germany for support  The Austrians gave Serbia a list of ultimatums, which they were unable to meet – so Austria- Hungary declared war on Serbia

 Russia supported Serbia, and declared war on Austria-Hungary.  Germany supports Austria-Hungary, and declares war on Serbia and Russia.  France supports Russia and declares war on Austria-Hungary and Germany.  Britain tries not to get involved, but when Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares war on Germany & its alliances.

 Many believe that Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination was the cause of the war, but the actual causes are more complicated  There are four main causes:  M ilitarism  A lliances  I mperialism  N ationalism

 when the military is given a high profile by the government and is used to settle disputes.  The growing divide in Europe led to an arms race between France and Germany.  France and Germany’s armies more than doubled from

 There was intense competition between France and Germany to gain control of the seas.  In 1906 the British army produced the “Dreadnought”; a highly effective battleship.  Following this, Germany produced their own dangerous battleships.

 An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries to give each other help if needed.  Alliances may be secret or public, but if one ally declares war on a country, the other allies must follow suit.  Even if countries do not want to be part of conflict, such as England, they can be dragged in by these alliances.

 European alliances going in to WW1:  Triple Alliance/Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy  Triple-Entente: Britain, France, Russia

 Imperialism is when a country takes over another country or land and makes them subject to their rule.  This “collection” of colonies adds to their wealth and power.  How did the affect WWI alliances?

 Britain already had land on 5 continents by 1900, and France controlled large areas of Africa.  Germany had only recently started to acquire colonies, and Britain/France’s large “collection” only contributed to the rivalry with Germany.

 Nationalism is a strong feeling of support and pride for one’s country or culture.  After the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna had been held and left both Italy and Germany divided states. However, a feeling of nationalism reunited Italy in 1861 and Germany in  France felt separated because the Alsace- Lorraine region of the country had been given to Germany at the end of the Franco-Prussian war.

 Areas of Austria-Hungary and Serbia also had different nationalist groups who wanted freedom from the states in which they lived (such as the Serbians in Bosnia).  The major powers were “jingoistic” – ultra- nationalistic.  Countries who shared language or cultural links felt an allegiance to each other. Thus- nationalism encouraged the creation of alliances.