World War I The Great War

Do Now What were the main causes of WWI? Hand in packets. Hand in map worksheet. Return any borrowed colored pencils SAT Question of the day!!!!!

Europe was a POWDER KEG waiting to explode HOW DID IT START 4 MAIN causes of WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism Europe was a POWDER KEG waiting to explode 4 long term causes that led to a build-up of tension

MILITARISM Glorification of the military Buildup of weapons and artillery Why would countries need strong militaries?

ALLIANCES How would alliances help to cause a world war? Complicated system of agreements that would drag countries into war even if it wasn’t their conflict With this alliance system, nothing could be kept small or local How would alliances help to cause a world war?

ALLIANCES The Alliance System came down to two large “blocks” Triple Alliance Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Triple Entente Great Britain France Russia The USA would come in later

ENEMIES…AND COUSINS

IMPERIALISM Countries were competing for colonies with the best raw materials Germany, recently united as a country, felt that they were kept out of the best colonies in Africa Many felt that a good war against Britain might get them some colonies

NATIONALISM EXTREME pride in one’s country Other nationalistic traits: Jealousy, envy, revenge, fear, etc.

WWI IS THE FIRST MAJOR WAR WHERE ALL THE MAJOR POWERS WANTED THE WAR TO HAPPEN! France: revenge for the defeat in the Franco-Prussian war, and for Germany “stealing” Alsace-Lorraine Germany: wanted to establish itself as the true superpower in Europe Gr. Britain: wanted to maintain its superpower position, & crush the new German navy Italy: wanted to establish itself as the true superpower in the Mediterranean

WWI IS THE FIRST MAJOR WAR WHERE ALL THE MAJOR POWERS WANTED THE WAR TO HAPPEN! Russia: an unpopular Tsar wanted to gain the support of the people through a quick and victorious war Austria-Hungary: a dying empire, being torn apart by over 30 major ethnic groups, a good war might unify it again All the nations marched off to war willingly Except the US…we didn’t want to be involved in this European conflict

THE BALKANS Bosnians felt abused under the rule of Austria-Hungary Goal: to create a “Greater Serbia” (unite Slavic people) This was strongly supported by Russia

Europe 1914

THE BALKANS

THE “SPARK” June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria’s heir to the throne) was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia Gavrilo Princip: Assassin This is the spark that would ignite the war.

THE RESULT How long do you think it takes for this to happen? The Austro-Hungarians declare war on Serbia Serbia’s ally Russia mobilized to protect Serbia Russia’s ally France mobilized to protect Russia Austria-Hungary’s ally Germany declared war on Russia and France How long do you think it takes for this to happen?

THE CONFLICT EXPANDS Germany swept through neutral Belgium to attack France, violating an international treaty. The violation brought Great Britain into the war By August 15, 1914, Europe was engulfed in war! Within a year, over 60 countries worldwide were involved in the war They all had colonies The colonies started fighting each other

THE FIGHTING SIDES Triple Alliance becomes “The Central Powers” (The Bad Guys) Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria Italy gave up its agreement with Germany & joined the other side Triple Entente becomes “The Allied Powers” or “Allies” (The Good Guys) Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy U.S. would join in April of 1917 Becomes known as “The Great War”

DECLARATION OF WAR BRINGS CHEER TO GERMANY!

BUT HORRORS AWAIT