Causes of World War I

1. Causes of World War I

2. Let’s take a poll… with which of these statements do you most agree? • A) “War should be avoided at all costs” • B) “War should be fought only to save innocent lives” • C) “War is a noble pursuit” • D) “War should be used to gain territory and increase power” • Why do you feel this way?

3. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT WWI • Started on July 28, 1914 • Ended November 11, 1918 • Almost 8 million died because of the war • Russia having the most : 1.7 million • 22,000,000 wounded • MAP OF EUROPE GREATLY CHANGED

4. BEFORE

5. AFTER

6. Alliances –agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another • European powers formed rival alliances to protect themselves • PROBLEM: One event could drag all countries involved into a conflict Causes of WWI – MANIA! Nationalism –extreme pride in one’s country Imperialism –when one country controls another country economically and/or politically. Militarism- policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war (ARMS RACE) Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand

7. World War I will see the largest and most destructive forces on the planet engage in a war that will consume millions. There was a race for creating more weapons of mass destruction among nations There was a desire to create a large amount of weapons as well as building up a nation’s army and navy Militarism

8. Militarism • Between 1908 and 1915 military spending increases by 50% in European countries. • As army size increases in one country, rival countries also enlarge armies.

9. Nations build up militaries, advanced weapons in preparation for war • By 1914 armies in Europe have grown massively Russia – 1.3 million soldiers France, and Germany – 900000 soldiers each Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Britain (250000-500000 soldiers each)

10. Naval Arms Race • Britain and Germany become involved in naval arms race • Britain builds HMS Dreadnought • Germany responds by building “dreadnought” of its own • Soon all European nations building increasingly larger and more powerful ships.

11. Tensions Increase • As militaries become stronger tensions between countries increase. • Countries trust each other less. • Military response becomes more acceptable than diplomacy. • Partially due to military personnel in key leadership positions

12. Triple Alliance vs. Triple Entente • The Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy was counter-balanced by the Triple Entente of France, Russia, and Great Britain. • As a result, by 1907 Europe was divided into two armed and rather fearful camps.

15. Triple Alliance Triple Entente Alliances

16. More Alliances • Germany also allied with Ottoman Empire. • Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary have treaties with Bulgaria. • Russia has treaties with Serbia. • Russia supports Balkan Nationalism, and Balkan independence. • Great Britain guarantees neutrality of neutral countries, such as Belgium, and the Netherlands.

17. Nationalism • Okay, so there are multiple definitions of nationalism: • Extreme pride in one’s country • The idea that people with the same ethnic origins, language, and political ideals had the right to form sovereign states through the process of self-determination. Due to Nationalism… • Nations begin competing, ethnic tensions and international rivalries increase

18. Nationalism • Alsace-Lorraine • French territory taken by Germany after fighting in 1871 • Countries now Building up to fight Over the border

19. Nationalism • STRONG IN THE BALKAN AREA • Ottoman Empire  ruled the Balkan area for 400 years • Balkans • Albanians, Greeks, Romanians, and Slav • Each group was struggling for their own independence • BOSNIA • Area of great hostility • Austria- Hungary annexed Bosnia as one of its territories in 1908 • Serbia was newly independent and thought that Bosnia should be one of their territories • THIS BECAME AN AREA OF CONFLICT

20. Imperialism • Virtually all the major powers were engaged in a scramble for empire to bolster their economies • The fiercest competition was between Britain and Germany and between France and Germany

21. Imperialism • Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. • These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa. • Clash of France against Germany and Britain in North Africa • In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia.

22. The“Spark”

23. THE BLACK HAND • Black Hand: Serbian nationalist group • The main objective of the Black Hand was the creation, by means of violence, of a Greater Serbia.

25. Assassination • Franz Ferdinand is heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28th, 1914.

26. Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand who believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia.

27. Secret Alliances used: • Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; the alliance system pulls all of Europe into the conflict

28. Domino Effect Austria Hungary blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia. Germany pledged their support for Austria -Hungary. Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

29. Domino Effect Germany declares war on Russia. France pledges their support for Russia. Germany declares war on France. Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.