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The Long-Term Causes of World War I: Analyzing Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliances

World War I was shaped by four main long-term causes: nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and alliances. Nationalism fueled rivalries as nations prioritized their own interests—Germany sought expansion, while Russia positioned itself as the protector of Slavic people. Imperialism intensified competition for colonies and resources. Militarism saw nations, especially Germany, enhance military capabilities, leading to an arms race. Alliances were formed to deter war but ultimately entangled nations in conflict, igniting the Great War after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

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The Long-Term Causes of World War I: Analyzing Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliances

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  1. Unit 4: Warfare World War I: 1914-1918

  2. Four MAIN Long-Term Causes • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism

  3. Cause 1: Nationalism • Definition: The belief that national interests and unity should be placed ahead of global cooperation, and foreign affairs should be guided by self-interest • Led to competitiveness and rivalries among nations • Germany (strongest in Europe) wants expansion and new markets • Ethnic and cultural concerns • Russia views itself as the protector of Slavic People • Serbs under Austria-Hungary rule • Balkans as the “Powder Keg”

  4. Cause 2: Imperialism • Definition: The policy of forcefully extending a nation’s authority by territorial gain or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations • Because of nationalism, competition grows to expand empire • Nation’s want new territories • Raw materials • New markets for goods • All nations want to be the best – contest for colonies

  5. Cause 3: Militarism • Definition: The development of armed forces by a country to impose its will • Military spending increases with growing empires • Defend territories • Want best army/navy • At the time, Germany is strongest nation on European continent • Want to compete with British Navy • Arms Race begins, nations got to keep up with everybody

  6. Cause 4: Alliances • Definition: A formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim • Because of 1st three causes, Nations signed treaties, promising assistance in case of attack • Thought to prevent war – nobody would want to disturb alliances • Eventually has counter effect • Pulls nations into war

  7. WWI Alliance Systems • Triple Entente (Allies) – Great Britain, Russia, France • Italy switched here later after war, US joined later • Triple Alliance (Central Powers) – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (switches to Allies), • Ottoman Empire join here later

  8. The Spark • Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to Austrian throne) • Killed by Gavrilo Princip • Serbian nationalist • 1914 – Austria declares war on Serbia • Entangling Alliances • Russia defends Serbia, Germany declares war on Russia and France, Great Britain declares war on Germany and Austria • Great War begins…

  9. US Stance on WWI • US declares Neutrality • Definition: the policy of a nation not participating in a war between other nations • Outcome doesn’t matter – European War • Fight between Britain and Germany over control of region

  10. US Enters WWI • 5 Main Reasons: • US imports to the Allies • German U-boats and the sinking of the Lusitania • The Sussex Pledge • Zimmermann Note • Russia

  11. US Imports to the Allies • US was supplying both sides of the war with weapons; due to the blockade Britain obtain most of our supplies and racked up a debt to the US. • Us decided to join the Allies side so that they can pay off their debt to the United States

  12. German U-Boats and the Sinking of the Lusitania • May 7 1915 • British ocean liner • German U boat (submarine) shot a torpedo and sunk the Lusitania  • On board 1959 • Only 159 where Americans • 128 die • 14 miles of southern Ireland • Wilson tells that the Germans they are not happy about it and to stop killing Americans.

  13. The Sussex Pledge • Germany was sinking different nation’s submarines • Americans on these boats, 80 passengers died or injured • Germany agreed to not sink any more passenger ships, but broke promise • Germany would only stop deadly tactics if US would persuade Britain to lift its blockade against food and fertilizers • If US couldn’t, Germany would consider renewing deadly submarine warfare • If Germany sunk another, we would enter war

  14. Zimmermann Note • Germans sent Mexico a cipher telegram that told them to attack the United States on February 1st • If they did so they would gain the lands they lost in the Mexican Cession • Britain intercepted the letter and sent it to the United States • This was a direct threat to the United States

  15. Russia • The Russian monarchy was replaced with a representative government • Now supports could claim that this was a war of democracies against the brutal monarchies

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