1. AP European History U13: WWI Ms. Tully
I. Prelude to War
AP European History
U13: WWI
Ms. Tully

2. A. The Bismarckian System
Systems of alliances
New unified GR upset balance of power
Three Emperor’s’ League: GR, A-H, RS

3. B. The Balkans: Decline of Ottoman Power
Decline of Ottoman Empire, Rise of Nationalism
A-H & RS both want territory
Conflict in 1876 – Serbia & Montenegro declare war on Ottomans
Treaty of San Stefano
Congress of Berlin

4. C. New Alliances RS ended Three Emperors’ League in 1879
1879 – Bismarck makes alliance with A-H
1881 – GR forms secret alliances with A-H & RS = Alliance of Three Emperors
1882 – Italy joins GR & A-H = Triple Alliance of 1882
1887 – RS declined to renew alliance, Bismarck suggested RS-GR Reinsurance Treaty
1890 – Emperor William II dismissed Bismarck

6. D. New Directions and New Crises
William II dropped Reinsurance Treaty
1894 – Alliance between FR & RS
GR policies pushed BR away
1905 – GR upset over FR expansion into Morocco
1907 – Triple Entente of BR, FR, RS

7. E. Crisis in the Balkans, 1908-1913
Bosnian Crisis of Austria annexed Bosnia & Herzegovina
RS threatened war against A-H
1912 – First Balkan War – Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro & Greece formed Balkan League, defeated Ottomans

8. – Second Balkan War – Greece, Serbia, Romania & Ottomans against Bulgaria 5. London Conference – Arranged by A-H after Balkan Wars, created independent Albania 6. Europe on the brink of war

9. F. Outbreak of War Increasing tension in Balkans
Assassination of Francis Ferdinand June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo
Heir to A-H throne with wife Sophia
Assassinated by Serbian revolutionaries – “Black Hand”

10. 5. A-H wanted revenge – delivered ultimatum to Serbia
6. GR’s “Blank check”
7. A-H declared war on Serbia July 28, 1914

11. G. Declarations of War
Military war plans aggravated diplomatic and political decisions
July 29, 1914 – Tsar Nicholas II ordered full mobilization of RS army
Aug.1, 1914 – GR declares war on RS
Schlieffen Plan
Aug. 2, 1914 – GR sends ultimatum to BLG demanding right to march thru
Aug. 3, 1914 – GR declares war on FR
Aug. 4, 1914 – GB declares war on GR
All great powers of EU entered war

12. H. Contributing Factors
Nationalism  competition instead of cooperation
Internal Dissent  not every ethnic group had its own nation-state, growing Socialist labor movements
Militarism  growth of mass armies, military influence in politics
A-H’s desperation to survive  rash decisions
GR expanded small war into big war  invasion of BLG

14. Study Questions
How did Bismarck’s system of alliances help maintain peace? How did Kaiser William II’s actions destabilize Bismarck’s system?
Discuss the diplomatic developments that led to the creation of two rival blocks of power in Europe by 1914.
What role did nationalism play in the outbreak of the First World War? What impact did the Congress of Berlin (1878) have on the Balkan area? What were the origins and causes of the Third Balkan War in 1914?
Which of the major powers do you believe was most responsible and least responsible for the war? Explain.