1. World War I: Causes of WWI
US History Honors

2. Underlying Causes What Causes Most Wars…
extreme nationalism (super patriotism or love for one’s country)
imperialism spreading the political or economic control of one country over another
militarism using force or the threat of force against another nation
entangled system of alliances (SECRET)
fanatical leaders

3. Underlying Causes Rival Alliances Created a “False Sense of Security”
Triple Entente
Great Britain: King George V
France: Premier Clemenceau
Russia: Czar Nicholas II
Triple Alliance
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm I
Austria-Hungary: Emanuel II

5. What Caused World War I Unrest in the Balkans
Bosnians felt abused under the rule of Austria-Hungary
Goal: to create a “Greater Serbia” (unite Slavic people)
This movement was strongly supported by “Mother Russia”

6. What Caused World War I June 28, 1914
Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Austria’s heir to the throne) was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb Nationalist while on a good will trip to Sarajevo, Bosnia. THIS SPARK WOULD IGNITE THE WAR.

7. What Caused World War I Alliances Unfolded
Austria declared war on Serbia
Russia supported Serbia (mother country with ethnic ties)
Germany sided with Austria and declared war on Russia
France was obligated to help Russia & Great Britain to help France
By August 5, 1914, Europe was engulfed in WAR!!!

8. What Caused World War I
Germany’s “Schlieffen Plan” to avoid a 2 front war failed
Front: zone of conflict between armies
Western Front would mostly be in France
Area between armies was known as “No Man’s Land”
Fighting two fronts puts a giant strain on resources and man power

14. The Fighting Sides
Triple Alliance becomes “The Central Powers” (the Bad Guys)
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria
Italy gave up its defensive agreement with Germany and joined the other side
Triple Entente becomes “The Allied Powers” (the Good Guys)
Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy
United States would join in April of 1917
Eventually over 50 nations were involved in “The Great War”
WW1 Episode 6:25-7:46 & 14:00-15:42