5 Causes of WWI

It was nothing short of MANIA(disorder characterized by great excitement and

uncontrolled, often violent behavior)

ANIA

• disorder characterized by great excitement and uncontrolled, often violent behavior

• Many historians characterize the causes of WWI as being widespread mania throughout Europe

ilitarism

Militarism - When the military runs the government and is the primary focus of the nation

• European countries begin an Arms Race

– A competition to be larger than the opposing armies

– Have better equipment/weapons than their military equipment

• Seeing Germany’s large army, France also expanded their army

• Both doubled in size from 1870-1914

• Great Britain focused on their Navy.– Their goal was to have a Navy 2.5 times the size of

whoever had the second largest navy

How might Militarism start a war?

In a militaristic country, government leaders are often seen wearing military uniforms daily

lliances

Alliance - An agreement between countries to support each other (usually in times of war)

• After several European conflicts, France and Germany (and others) hurry to form alliances with other countries in case of another war

• Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy• Triple Entente (or the Allies) – France, Russia, Great

Britain• Russia is also allied with Serbia and GB is also allied

with Belgium• Although each belong to an alliance, both GB and

Italy secretly intend to remain neutral if a war starts• Neutrality - The policy of a nation that does not

participate in a war betweenother nations

How might Alliances start a war?

Countries in an Alliance are called “Allies” (plural) or an “Ally” (singular)

ationalism

Nationalism - Devotion and loyalty to one’s own country or culture of a country

• Every country in Europe thinks they are “simply the best; better than all the rest.” – very proud of home country

• Government leaders were quick to defend their country’s honor

• Both leaders and citizens believed they were unbeatable in a war

• OR – those that recently lost wars wanted to get back at the victors and win back the respect they lost

• When leaders called on citizens to join their armed forces and go to war – few questioned why

How might Nationalism start a war?

Nationalists sometimes oppose their own government leaders in the name of saving their country from people they consider “outsiders”

mperialism

Imperialism - Extending a nation’s authority by taking other nations and territories, and claiming economic and political rights over them.

• Great Britain, Germany and France (and others) needed foreign markets after the Industrial Revolution

• Competed over the best lands to control; sometimes leading to conflicts

– Africa - Great Britain, Germany, and France competed (Britain and France are able to settle differences; not Germany)

– Also, Ottoman Empire was crumbling apart: Austria-Hungary, Balkan countries, and Russia wanted the land

How might Imperialism start a war?

Imperialism is a big word for expanding an empire while at the same time increasing wealth and resources

ssassination

Assassination – the planned murder of a politically important person

• Austria-Hungary controlled many little countries, each with different nationality groups (races of people)– Bosnia (Slavic), wants to leave A.H. and join

Serbia (Slavic). Austria-Hungary won’t let them.

• Archduke Francis Duke Ferdinand (next to A.H. throne) assassinated in Bosnia by an extreme Serbian Nationalist

– Germany pledges to support A.H. if they declare war on Serbia

– War w/ Serbia would mean war w/ Russia and France

How might an Assassination start a war?

Gavrilo Princip, the assassinator of Ferdinand, was too young for the death penalty by only a few days. He died in prison of tuberculosis with one arm amputated