1. World War I “The Great War” --the war to end all wars--
Causes of the War
Level 2

2. Essential Question
What were the causes of World War I

3. Four Main Causes of WW I
Nationalism – Strong feelings people have for their own country
“Extreme Pride for your own country”
Europe was a small place
with many Developed
& Competing Countries

4. 2) Imperialism – The struggle or competition for colonies around the world

5. What is the message?

6. 3) International Rivalries
The nations of Europe wanted to weaken their rivals and strengthen alliances.
Build large Armies for Defense & Strength
This leads to a great “Arms Race”
Example
1) Germany’s new navy challenged
Britain's long standing naval supremacy
2) Germany’s disciplined army scared its neighbors France & Russia

7. The Dreadnought Battleship -the most powerful war machine on earth
Britain Started building & Germany quickly followed
Started the “Arms Race”

8. Militarism & Arms Race Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers
[Germany, Austro-Hungary, Italy, France, Britain, Russia] in millions
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1914
$94
$130
$154
$268
$289
$398
Increase in Defense Expenditures
France
10%
Britain
13%
Russia
39%
Germany
73%

9. 4) System of Alliances
Attempt by each country to gain security through alliances (Metternich System)
Tried to find – “Balance of Power”
Many Alliances were done in secrecy “entangling alliances”
Two Main Alliances
Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, Russia (Allies)
Central Powers – Germany, Austro-Hungary,
Ottoman Empire

10. The Major Players: 1914-17 Allied Powers: Central Powers:
Nicholas II [Rus]
Wilhelm II [Ger]
George V [Br]
Franz Josef [A-H]
Enver Pasha [O.E/Turkey]
Pres. Poincare [Fr]
Victor Emmanuel II [It]

11. Pan-Slavism: The Balkans, 1914
The “Powder Keg” of Europe
Russia
Austro-Hungary
Ottomans
All wanted control of the Balkans

12. The “Spark” That Starts the Great War

13. Archduke Franz Ferdinand & His Family – Heir to throne in Austro-Hungary

14. The Assassination in Sarajevo

15. The Assassin: Gavrilo Princip Serbian Nationalist
Wanted to free the Slavic people in Austro-Hungary
-Liberate the Balkans

16. Who’s To Blame?

17. Domino Effect
Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia.
Germany pledged their support for Austria -Hungary.
Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

18. Domino Effect Germany declares war on Russia.
France pledges their support for Russia.
Germany declares war on France.
Germany invades Belgium on the way to France.
Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.