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Countdown to WWI

Countdown to WWI. The Unification of Germany. Franco-Prussian Wars of 1870-1871 Germany establishes itself as a main European power Possess one of the most powerful armies in the world Germany now had ability to exercise large control over continental Europe. The Unification of Germany.

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Countdown to WWI

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  1. Countdown to WWI

  2. The Unification of Germany • Franco-Prussian Wars of 1870-1871 • Germany establishes itself as a main European power • Possess one of the most powerful armies in the world • Germany now had ability to exercise large control over continental Europe

  3. The Unification of Germany • Prussia declared the new German Empire on January 18th, 1871 at the Palace of Versailles • This is a slap in the face to France • Germany annexes Alsace and Lorraine

  4. The Unification of Germany • Otto Von Bismarck's Foreign Policy • Recognized the danger of a two-front war • Realpolitik • Protect and advance Germany’s interests • Prevent a general European war • Isolate potential enemies (France) • Not upset Britain

  5. The Two-Front War

  6. The Unification of Germany • Kaiser Wilhelm II rises to power • forces Bismarck’s resignation • Germany Unified but Europe is not • The system of alliances is put to the test, trust systems breakdown

  7. Unification of Germany • Weltpolitik (World Policy) • Germany no longer satisfied with be only a large power in continental Europe • Begins an aggressive policy to expand their power, even if that means war • Weltpolitik primarily a naval policy • “Our future lies on the sea”

  8. Unification of Germany • Wilhelm frustrated with German geographical position • Aim was to transform into a global power by aggressive diplomacy and began building a large navy with the Dreadnought “We also [want to] claim our place in the sun”

  9. The Powder Keg

  10. The Powder Keg • Refers to the Balkans in the early part of the 20th century • A number of overlapping claims to territories led nationalistic tensions and imperialistic ambitions

  11. The Powder Keg • The First and Second Balkan Wars caused new territories to claim independence from the Ottoman Empire (now known as Turkey) • Confusion ensued between Russia and Austria-Hungary about who controlled certain territories

  12. The Powder Keg • Pan-Slavism • Viewed themselves as the leader of all Slav nations • A movement in the mid-19th century aimed at uniting all Slavic peoples • Particularly strong in the Balkans where Slavs had been ruled by other empires for centuries

  13. The Powder Keg • Supported by Russia • Viewed themselves as the leader of all Slavic nations • A large portion of territory needed to unify the Balkans was under Austro-Hungarian control • Therefore, strongly apposed by Austro-Hungary

  14. July Crisis of 1914 • Gavrilo Princip- a member of the Black Hand • Assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28th, 1914 • Heir Presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne

  15. Gavrilo Princip

  16. July Crisis of 1914 • Austria-Hungary saw the assassination of the Archduke as an opportunity to assert themselves • Franz Ferdinand was not viewed with great favour by Franz Josef, the current ruler of Austria-Hungary or his government

  17. July Crisis of 1914 • German’s support gives Austria-Hungary a boost of confidence and gives Serbia an ultimatum • The ultimatum is extensive and Austria-Hungary never intended for Serbia to agree to the conditions outlined • Amazingly, Serbia agrees to everything but point #6

  18. July Crisis of 1914 • July 28th – Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia with Germany’s “Blank Cheque” backing their army • July 29th – Russia supports Serbia and mobilizes troops along the German and Austrian borders • July 31st – Kaiser Wilhelm, realizing what is happening, desperately attempts to halt Russia but it’s too late

  19. July Crisis of 1914 • August 1st- Germany declares war on Russia • August 3rd – France supports Russia, Germany declares war on France

  20. August 4th • Germany, using the Schlieffen Plan, intends to march through neutral Belgium to attack France quickly • Britain warns Germany to halt plans, Germany refuses to stop their plan • Britain declares war on Germany

  21. The Schlieffen Plan

  22. The Alliances • The Triple Entente • Britain, Russia and France (in 1915 Italy joins) • The Triple Alliance • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • Based on the Alliance wording, Italy only had to go to war if a country attacked a member of the alliance, since Austria-Hungary and Germany declared war they were off the hook

  23. The Great War Begins

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