Causes of World War I

World War I

World War I was also known by the following names:

1. The Great War2. The war to end all wars3. The trench war

Long term causes of World War I

A. ImperialismB. NationalismC. MilitarismD. The Alliance SystemE. International Anarchy

http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/victorians/exhibition/greatexhibition.html

Inventions

ColonizationFactories

A. Imperialism• European countries felt superior to

other nations, especially in Africa and Asia. Imperialistic nations were in competition to control weaker nations and sometimes went to war over the areas.

B. NationalismNationalism created “Pan-isms”.

• Pan-Germanism was Germany’s desire to protect all German-speaking nations (i.e. Austria-Hungary)

• Pan-Slavism was Russia’s desire to protect Slavic-speaking people (i.e. Serbia)

C. MilitarismBecause European countries were colonizing and competing for other nations, they needed strong militaries to protect their colonies and prevent rebellions in them.

Rifle grenade

D. The Alliance SystemTensions between countries caused

by imperialism and nationalism and the build-up of militaries led to the establishment of alliances: Triple Alliance & Triple Entente

E. International anarchyThere was no way to prevent

war between nations…there was not an international peace-keeping organization.

Immediate cause of World War I

June 1914 Archduke (Austria-Hungary) Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian national. Bosnians (South Slavs) did not like being ruled by Austria-Hungary.

July 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia when Serbia refused Austria-Hungary’s demands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vaRWhADXwU

Alliance system

Because Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia came to the aid of Serbia.

Germany, then declared war on Russia and France.

Britain declared war on Germany when it moved through the neutral nation of Belgium.

World War I begins….

Allied Powers

Central Powers

Warm Up

1. What were the 5 long term causes of WW1?2. Due to nationalism, what nation did Germany

protect? Why?3. Due to nationalism, what nation did Russia

protect? Why? 4. What was the immediate cause of WW1?

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