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The Origins of World War I: Europe’s Political Landscape from 1871 to 1914

This overview examines the key factors leading to the First World War, focusing on Europe's dynamics from 1871 to 1914. The unification of Germany under Otto von Bismarck transformed the balance of power, resulting in France's search for revenge after the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. Concurrently, Russia shifted its focus eastwards, while Austria-Hungary faced internal divisions. Britain's industrial power and naval supremacy intensified the rivalry, particularly during the naval race with Germany. Additionally, tensions in the Balkans rose as Serbia sought to unite its people against Austria-Hungary.

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The Origins of World War I: Europe’s Political Landscape from 1871 to 1914

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  1. THE FIRST WORLD WAR: ITS ORIGINS, 1871 - 1914

  2. EUROPE 1860 - 1870 GERMANY UNITED 1871 VON BISMARCK ITALY UNITED 1860 CAVOUR

  3. GERMANY IN 1871 • Germany unified under the leadership of Prussia. • France #1 before German unification • France tried to stop unification by going to war with Prussia in 1870. • France defeated & humiliated by loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany. • Afraid France wants revenge so must make sure army is stronger than France’s. Otto von Bismarck

  4. FRANCE IN 1871 • France was #1 in Europe for 200 years. • Humiliated after defeat in Franco-Prussian with the loss of Alsace-Lorraine • Determined to have revenge so began to build up army La Revenge A-L

  5. RUSSIA IN 1871 • Russia was France’s biggest rival during the Napoleonic Wars. • During 1800s, Russia turned away from European affairs to concentrate on expansion eastwards into Asia. • Russia remained a peasant society, with little industry, and ruled by repression. TSAR NICHOLAS II (1894-1917

  6. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY IN 1871 • Was traditional power of Central Europe for centuries. • Main concern was extending influence into the Balkans • Internal divisions in the empire became apparent and weakened its position as a European power. Franz-Joseph

  7. POPULATION MIX IN AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

  8. GREAT BRITAIN IN 1871 ROYAL NAVY – PROTECTOR OF THE EMPIRE QUEEN VICTORIA INDUSTRIALISATION, EMPIRE AND TRADE • 1st to ‘industrialize’ which made Britain rich and powerful. • Possessed world’s largest empire (1/4 of the Earth) • Main concerns = protecting her empire; developing trade. • Didn’t involve itself in European political and military affairs unless the ‘balance of power’ was threatened.

  9. 1888 – A NEW EMPEROR FOR GERMANY KAISER WILHELM II (1888-1918) HIS PERSONAL AMBITIONS: • obsessed with making Germany a world power. • His actions increased tensions and distrust among European powers. • Germany became caught in an arms race on 2 fronts – military with France, naval with Britain.

  10. Alliances

  11. King George & Kaiser Wilhelm

  12. THE NAVAL RACE 1906-1914 THE GERMAN CHALLENGE TO BRITAIN’S NAVAL SUPREMACY Kaiser Wilhelm and King George V • Traditionally Germany had friendly relations with Great Britain. • Wilhelm’s ambitions for a world empire soured relations between Britain and Germany. Germany would need to build a large navy in order to acquire colonies. This led to a ‘Naval Race’ (1906-1914) • By building a strong navy, Germany pushed Britain into allying with France and Russia in the ‘Triple Entente’.

  13. SERBIA 1908-1914 • Turkey known as the “Sick Man of Europe” because it was losing control over the Balkans. • Both Austria-Hungary and Russia were interested in taking over the Balkans. • By 1900s, many Balkan peoples had won independence from Turkey • Serbia was the most powerful and wished to unite all Serb peoples. • This led to bitter rivalry with Austria-Hungary.

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