1. Marching Toward War Chapter 13 Section 1

2.  WWI - Roots of War.asx WWI - Roots of War.asx

3. Main Idea  In Europe, military buildup, nationalistic feelings, and rival alliances set the stage for a continental war.  Ethnic conflict in the Balkan region, which helped start the war, continued to erupt in that area in the 1990s.

4. Introduction  For about 30 years Europe had been at peace.  Efforts were made to outlaw war and achieve permanent peace.  By 1900, there were hundreds of peace organizations.  Some Europeans believed that war was a thing of the past.  Yet Europe was on the edge of a massive war.

5. Leading up to WWI  The Rise of Nationalism  Imperialism and Militarism  Tangled Alliances

6. The Rise of Nationalism  Nationalism can be a unifying force, but it can also cause intense competition.  By the turn of the 20 th century, a fierce rivalry had developed among Europe’s Great Powers.  Germany, Austria- Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy and France.

7. Rivalry Among Euro Nations  1. Competition for materials and markets.  2.Territorial disputes.  3.Nationalism led to demands for independence.

8. Imperialism  European nations had been competing for colonies in Africa and Asia.  This competition led to increased rivalries and mistrust.

9. Militarism  A dangerous arms race had developed.  Nations believed that to be great you must have a powerful military.  By 1914, all of the Great Powers, except Great Britain, had large standing armies.  Militarism – the policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war.  A race to build a bigger and stronger military than your neighbor.

10. Tangled Alliances  Growing rivalries and mutual distrust led to the creation of several military alliances.  Alliance system had been designed to keep peace in Europe.  Instead, it helped push the continent to war.

11. Bismarck Forges Early Pacts  Bismarck had used war to unify Germany.  He then turned his energy to maintaining peace in Europe.  Bismarck felt that France still wanted revenge for the Franco-Prussian War.  Threat to peace  Bismarck wanted to isolate France.  Formed alliance with Austria-Hungary.  Later Italy joined.  Russia soon signed a treaty with Germany.

12. Shifting Alliances Threaten Peace  Kaiser Wilhelm II forced Bismarck to resign as Prime Minister.  Wilhelm let treaty with Russia lapse.  Russia responded by forming an alliance with France.  Bismarck’s biggest fear.  If Germany went to war with either, they would have to fight on two fronts.

13. Triple Entente  Wilhelm II began a shipbuilding program to compete with the British navy.  British became scared and formed an alliance with France.  Britain made another alliance with both France and Russia – Triple Entente.  Assured that Britain would not fight against France or Russia.

14. Crisis in the Balkans  Balkan Peninsula was home to an assortment of ethnic groups.  The area had a long history of nationalist uprisings.  Known as the “powder keg” of Europe.

15. A Restless Region  By the early 1900s, the Ottoman Empire, which included the Balkan region was in decline.  Serbia – Slavic population; wanted to absorb the rest of the Slavs.  Russia also had a large Slavic population and supported Serbia.  Austria-Hungary opposed the idea.

16. Austria-Hungary  1908 – AH took over Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Both had large Slavic population.  Serbians were mad.  Tensions rose.  Serbia vowed to take Bosnia and Herzegovina.

17. A Shot Rings Throughout Europe  1914 - Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the AH throne, and his wife visited Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia.  Couple was shot by Gavrilo Princip, a 19 year old Serbian and member of the Black Hand.  Secret society committed to ridding Bosnia of Austrian rule.

18. The Ultimatum  Austria used the murders as an excuse to punish Serbia.  Austria presented Serbia with an ultimatum containing many demands.  Serbia knew that a refusal would lead to war.  Agreed to many demands.  Austria would not negotiate and declared war.  Russia ordered the mobilization of troops toward the Austrian border.