1. Causes of World War I
American History

2. MANIA
Militarism (weapons race) Alliances Nationalism Imperialism Assassination

3. Europe’s Great Powers
Germany Great Britain Russia Italy Austria-Hungary

4. Causes of World War I
An uneasy peace grips Europe… efforts for peace are challenged
Nationalism rises
Fierce competition between countries
By 20th century rivalry exists between Europe’s great powers
Nationalism – patriotic feelings or efforts, an extreme form of this marked by feelings of superiority over other countries

5. Causes of WWI Why compete with each other? Imperialism Militarism
Materials and markets for selling them
Territorial disputes (ex: Franco-Prussian War)
Imperialism
France vs. Germany (fighting for Morocco)
Militarism
Arms race leads to big military power
Militarism – glorifying military power and keeping army ready for war

6. Causes of WW1 Tangled alliances
Instead of creating peace, alliances lead to war
Otto von Bismark forges an early pact
Created the Triple Alliance (Italy, Germany, and A- H) against France
Also allies with Russia
However Russia and A-H are enemies

7. Causes of WW1 Shifting Alliances threaten peace
1890 Kaiser Wilhelm forces Bismark to resign
Germany looses alliance with Russia
Russia joins France
Potential for two front war
Germany envies Great Britain & challenges them by building ships to become equal in naval power

8. Causes of WW1 Great Britain is alarmed! They enlarge their naval fleet
Enter the Triple Entente, another alliance, with France and Russia
This alliance does not agree with fight ALONGSIDE one another, but they won’t fight against each other

9. Causes of WW1 Balkans considered a “Powder keg”
Many different groups of ethnicities all living in the same small area
Histories of nationalist uprisings

10. MANIA Causes of WW1 Spark that starts “The Great War”
“Black Hand” assassinates Franz Ferdinand (and wife)
Serbian terrorist organization
Ferdinand is the heir to the A-H throne
Considered a good excuse to punish Serbia
MANIA