World War I A World Divided

Causes Imperialism Nationalism Militarism Alliances

Imperialism Imperialism:  When a powerful nation extends and maintains its control over weaker nations or people  European imperial powers were in competition for Africa and Asia  A ticking time bomb for war

Nationalism Nationalism:  A strong feeling of pride in one’s own nation  Created national unity but fueled international rivalry

Militarism Militarism:  The belief in threatening or using military force to solve a problem  “a self-reinforcing cycle of heightened military preparedness”  Between 1908 and 1913, the six “Great Powers” increased military spending by 50% Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia

Alliances Two armed alliances  The Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy  The Triple Entente France, Russia, Great Britain  *Russia pledged to defend Serbia  Austria-Hungary and Russia were rivals in the Balkans  Germany had become the rival of Great Britain and France in Africa Region containing Bulgaria and Serbia

Messy Allegiances

The Balkans

Messy Allegiances The Schlieffen Plan

Messy Allegiances

“Europe today is like a powder keg and the leaders are like men smoking in an arsenal. A single spark will set off an explosion that will consume us all.”

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

War Breaks Out! June 28, 1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the city of Sarajevo  Ferdinand = the heir to the Austria-Hungary throne (next in line be ruler)  Killer = A Serbian nationalist seeking independence for his people Part of the “Black Hand”  Wanted Serbian independence Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia  Remember Russia pledged to defend Serbia… uh oh…  Due to overlapping alliances, much of the world was at war within weeks

War Breaks Out!

Gavrilo Prinzip Ferdinand’s killer

War Breaks Out! This is where things get really confusing… Austria-Hungary SerbiaAustria- HungaryRussiaSerbia Russia GermanyAustria-Hungary Germany FranceRussia GermanyGreat Britain BelgiumGermany France Belgium A war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia meant a war between Austria- Hungary and Russia, Serbia's traditional ally. That meant war between Russia and Germany, Austria-Hungary’s ally. And that meant war between Germany and France, Russia’s ally. And that meant war between Germany and Great Britain, Belgium’s protector because Germany invaded France through Belgium.

Confused yet?

But Wait… There’s more…? Italy refused to join Germany and Austria-Hungary and left the Triple Alliance. Instead, The Ottoman Empire joined to form The Central Powers  Central Powers: Austria-Hungary, Germany, and The Ottoman Empire  Allied Powers (formerly the Triple Entente): France, Great Britain, and Russia Italy decided to wait until there was a clear winner before picking sides. They eventually sided with the Allied Powers, fighting against their former alliance.

War Breaks Out!