1. Do You Think WWI was AVOIDABLE??!
Mrs. Gurzler
World History

2. Cause #1: Rise of Nationalism
Intense competition among nations.
Rivalry between Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, and France.
Demands for independence in the Balkans.

4. Cause #2: Imperialism
Quest for colonies sometimes pushed European nations to the brink of war.
Sense of rivalry and mistrust deepened.

5. Cause #3: Militarism
In order to be great, they had to have a powerful military.
Important to be able to mobilize quickly.
Made the people feel patriotic.
The entire able-bodied population are preparing to massacre one another; though no one, it is true, wants to attack, and everybody protests his love of peace and determination to maintain it, yet the whole world feels that it only requires some unforeseen incident, some unpreventable accident, for the spark to fall in a flash… and blow all of Europe sky-high.
~Frederic Passy, Nobel: The Man and His Prizes

6. Cause #4: Alliances
Bismarck thought France was threatening peace. Formed the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy. Made a treaty with Russia.
Bismarck is forced to resign – Russia forms treaty with France. Kaiser Wilhelm II creates a navy, as large as the British.

7. Cause #4 continued…
Great Britain FREAKS OUT and forms the Triple Entente with France and Russia.
If they start to fight, it would drag all other countries into the war.
French cartoon, showing Kaiser Wilhelm biting the world – showing that he was greedy.

9. Cause #5: Crisis in the Balkans
“Powder Keg” of Europe
Serbia, full of Slavs. Russia supported them. Austria-Hungary opposed them.
Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia-Herzegovina (full of Slavs). Serbia was angry, tensions rose.

11. Cause #6: Assassination
Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, visited Bosnia, assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a part of the Serbian Black Hand (terrorist group).
Austria declares war on Serbia. Russia mobilizes army on Austrian border.
WAR BEGINS….

12. Do you think World War I was avoidable?
Assignment!
After looking through your notes, answer the following question with AT LEAST three reasons why:
Do you think World War I was avoidable?