1. World War I 12.0 Why it Happened

2. The Causes of World War I 1.Militarism 2.Alliances 3.Imperialism 4.Nationalism = MAIN

3. Militarism The glorification of military strength by a country Leads to huge buildup in armies, fortification of boundaries, and start of an Arms Race Germany expands army and navy to compete w/ Britain Britain expands Navy as result.

4. Alliances Formed by European countries during this time of militarism promising to aid one another in case of an attack Creates armored camps w/ nations committed to go to war to defend allies

6. Alliances Triple Alliance –1882 – Germany, Austria, and Italy – Italy would later switch sides Triple Entente – 1907 – France, Russia, and Great Britain Britain promised Belgium neutrality

7. Imperialism Extending power outside a countries borders - colonies Early 1900’s -Competition of empires Britain owned lands on five continents France controlled large areas of Africa Germany entered colonization late

8. Nationalism Pride in one’s country Or…national independence of a culture instead of rule by a foreign power Ex: Serbia

9. World War I - Background The Participants…

10. Italy & Germany Become Nations 1860s – – Italy broke free from Austrian rule and became an independent nation 1870s – – Otto von Bismarck unifies the German states into a single nation = Powerful Militarized Nation in central Europe

11. Bismarck’s Alliance System Germany – great military power Needed to protect Germany from enemies – France

12. The Balkans Located in Central Europe The “Powder Keg” of Europe Very strong spirit of nationalism Many different ethnicities

13. The Balkans Ottoman Empire (Turkey) – Ruled the Balkans – 1400s – 1800s Throughout the 1800s the major ethnic groups of the Balkans fought for their independence

14. The Greeks Revolted in 1820 Gained independence

15. The Romanians Revolted in 1859 Gained independence

16. Slavic Countries Revolted after war between the Ottoman Empire and Russia Bulgarians, Montenegrins, Serbs gain independence

17. Russia Balkans – ethnically Slav Russia sees herself as protector of the Slavs – Genuine attachment = chief ally Russia – having trouble with Revolutionaries (Lenin) = sees war as way to re-establish order

18. Bosnia & Herzegovina Occupied by Austria-Hungary Serbia had just gained independence – Saw Bosnia as its rightful territory

19. Bosnia & Herzegovina 1908 – – Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia Created open hostility w Slavs The “Powder Keg” becomes unstable – going to Blow Up!!!