1. The Road to World War I

2. Nationalism Nationalism- the unique cultural identity of a people based on common language, religion and national symbols European nation-states emerged in the late 19th century and competed over colonies and trade Nation-states are political units consisting of an independent state inhabited predominantly by people sharing a common culture, language, history, etc...

3. Alliances During the late 19th century Europe’s great powers divided into two loose alliances: Triple Alliance (formed in 1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Triple Entente (formed in 1907): France, Great Britain, and Russia Several crises in the early 20th century tested the alliances Between 1908 - 1913 Russia and Austria- Hungary competed for influence in the Balkans

5. Internal dissent Industrialization in Europe created new social classes: captains of industry and businesspeople grew wealthier than aristocrats a new middle class consisting of small business owners, factory managers, and professionals laborers in factories and mines made up the working class

6. internal dissent By the mid-19th century, the working class began to influence politics in Europe and the Americas Socialist labor movements, which sought to alleviate the social and economic problems created by capitalism, had grown in power by the early 20th century As Socialist power grew, some conservative leaders feared that European nations were on the verge of revolution

7. Militarism Militarism- aggressive preparation for war was growing in Europe. Conscription, a military draft, was common practice in Western Europe; one to three years mandatory military service was the norm. European armies doubled in size between 1890 and 1914 Russian army had 1.3 million men France and Germany 900,000 each

8. Militarism As armies grew, the influence of military leaders increased. Military leaders created plans for mobilizing millions of men and supplies in the event of war and argued that their plans could not be changed. In the political crises of 1914, leaders made decisions for military reasons instead of political ones

9. The outbreak of war: Summer 1914 The Serbian Problem Once ruled by the Ottoman Empire, Serbia, with support from Russia, was determined to create an independent Slavic state on the Balkan peninsula. Austria-Hungary, which had Slavic minorities, was determined to stop Serbia.

10. The outbreak of war: Summer 1914 The Serbian Problem- “Serbia will some day set Europe by the ears, and bring about a universal war on the Continent...I cannot tell you how exasperated people are getting here at the continual worry which that little country causes to Austria under encouragement from Russia...It will be luck if Europe succeeds in avoiding war as a result of the present crisis.”

11. Assassination in Sarajevo June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary and his wife, Sophia are killed in the Bosnian city of Sarajevo by a members of the Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist group, want Bosnia to be free from Austria-Hungary. Austro-Hungarian government did not know if the Serbian government was involved in the assassination or not, but wanted to respond with military force.

12. Austria-Hungary Responds Austrian leaders wanted to attack Serbia but feared Russian intervention on Serbia’s behalf, so they sought the backing of their ally Germany. Germany gave Austria-Hungary their full support, even if it meant was with Russia. Austria-Hungary gave Serbia an ultimatum, which is rejected On July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

14. The Guns of August Russia was determined to help Serbia and on July 28, Czar Nicholas II ordered partial mobilization of Russian troops against Austria- Hungary. Russian military leaders said partial mobilization was not possible- mobilization plans were based on total war with Germany and Austria-Hungary. They argued that mobilizing only against Austria-Hungary would create chaos in the military. The czar ordered full mobilization and Germany considered this an act of war.

15. The Conflict Broadens Germany warned Russia that it must halt its mobilization within 12 hours, but Russia ignored the warning and Germany declared war on August 1. Germany’s military plan called for a two-front war against France and Russia- the Schlieffen Plan. To attack France, Germany wanted to go through Belgium, a neutral nation.

16. The Conflict Broadens On August 3, Germany declared war on France and gave an ultimatum to Belgium demanding the right of German troops to pass through Belgian territory. On August 4, Great Britain declares war on Germany for violating Belgian neutrality.