World War I Causes

1. World War I Causes

2. 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

5. Karl Marx1818-1883 • German philosopher, political economist, historian, political theorist, sociologist, communist & revolutionary • Ideas created foundation of communism • Argued capitalism would produce internal tension and lead to destruction. • Created “ The Communist Manifesto” (1848)

6. Charles Darwin 1809-1882 • Wrote: • “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, 1859 • All plants and animals have evolved over a long period of time • Those who survived had adapted to the environment • The Descent of Man, 1871 • Ideas highly controversial; gradually accepted

7. Now for a bit of humor The continuing Evolution of man

8. The Causes of World War I Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

9. Militarism • Militarism - Building up weapons and forces to get ready for war

10. Militarism • Germany was competing with the UK to build battleships • The British feared an attack on their Empire, so they built even more battleships

11. Militarism • Germany was competing with Russia and France to expand their armies

12. Militarism • World War I was the first war in which advanced weaponry and tactics were used • 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

15. Alliances • Alliance - Agreement or promise to defend and help another country, with military help if necessary

16. Alliances • Aid – Supporting another country with the use of goods • Treaty – An agreement to not attack each other

17. Alliances • By 1914 all the major powers were linked by a system of alliances. • The alliances made it more likely that a war would start. • Once started, the alliances made war more likely to spread.

18. Alliances • By 1907, Europe was divided into two armed and rather fearful camps

19. Alliances Triple Alliance Triple Entente Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Great Britain France Russia

20. Alliances

23. Imperialism - When one country takes over another territory to try to build up an Empire Empire – Where a powerful country controls several less powerful countries Imperialism

24. All the great powers were competing for colonies and territory The fiercest competition was between Britain and Germany and between France and Germany Imperialism

25. 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 Imperialism

28. The British did not want Germany involved in Africa Imperialism

29. In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia The Austrians did not want Serbia or Russia in the Balkans Imperialism

30. Nationalism – having pride in your country, willing to defend it • Annex – to add as an extra part • Think: What are some holidays wherepeople celebrate pride in their heritage? Nationalism

31. This was an age when all nations wanted to assert their power and independence • Ottoman Empire  ruled the Balkan area for 400 years Nationalism

32. The Balkan Area • Balkans • Albanians, Greeks, Romanians, and Slav • Slavs in Austria-Hungary, aided by Serbia and Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule • Each group was struggling for their own independence Nationalism

33. 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 Nationalism

34. Key Figures Kaiser Wilhelm II • Aggressive foreign policy – wanted Germany to be a “Bully” • Built up German army and navy • Determined to make Germany a top nation • Distrusted by other powers “Germany must have its place in the sun” “The world belongs to the strong.”

35. Key Figures Count Berchtold • Austrian Foreign Minister, later Prime Minister • Hated Serbia, wanted a reason to have a war with them

36. The“Spark”

37. The Crisis • June 28, 1914 • Heir to the Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand, visits Sarajevo • Sarajevo was the capital of Bosnia, recently grabbed by Austria • Sarajevo was the center of Slav nationalism

39. The Crisis Seal of the Black Hand group 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.

40. The Crisis • “Black Hand” terrorists attack on the Arch Duke • Bomb attempt in the morning fails to kill the Arch Duke • Later in the day, Serb nationalist GavriloPrincip shoots Archduke and his wife

41. The Crisis • Austrians blame Serbia for supporting terrorists • Austrians, supported by Germany, send Serbia a tough ultimatum • Serbia agrees to all but two terms of the ultimatum • Russia prepares troops to support Serbia

42. The Crisis • Germany demands that the Russian army stand down • Germany declares war on Russia

43. 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.

44. 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.