Causes of World War OneCauses of World War One

Today’s Objective

• Understand the situation that allowed one assassination in Europe to start the Great War (later known as World War One)

World War One - Causes

• WWI was triggered by Archduke Francis Ferdinand’s assassination

• The Archduke was next in line to be ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

• The event was just a trigger though

World War One - Causes

• In the early 1900s, the Balkan region in Europe had been called a “powder keg” – meaning one spark and it could blow up into war

Pictured: a cartoon depicting Germany, France, Russia, Austria-Hungary and Britain attempting to keep the lid on the simmering cauldron of imperialist and nationalist tensions in the Balkans to prevent a general European war.

World War One - Causes

• There are several different factors that led to this situation

• Major factors include:– Alliances– Imperialism – Militarism– Nationalism

Causes - Alliances• Several European alliances were made

between 1879 and 1914

Causes - Alliances

• Alliance – an agreement between two or more countries to help each other if needed

Some of the Major European Alliances Prior to 1914

• Dual Alliance, 1879– Germany and

Austria-Hungary

• Franco-Russian Alliance, 1894– France and Russia

• Triple Entente, 1914– France, Russia, and

Britain

Causes - Imperialism

• Imperialism – when a country takes over new lands and makes them subject to their rule

Causes - Militarism

• Militarism – when a country gives the army and militia forces high profiles

Tanks on parade in London at the end of World War One

Causes - Nationalism

• Nationalism – being a strong supporter of the rights and interests of one’s country

Causes of World War One

• Prior to the war, there had been tension between powerful European countries such as Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary over colonial issues

Causes of World War One

• There had been tension between France and Germany since 1871 when Germany was victorious in the Franco-Prussian WarThe Battle of Mars-la-tour during the

Franco-Prussian War

Causes of World War One

• Different crises almost led to war prior to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand:

• Two that came close: – The Moroccan Crisis– The Bosnian Crisis

Allied Powers: tanCentral Powers: pink

Neutral countries: green

Crises – Moroccan Crisis

• Germany supported Moroccan independence, France wanted to Keep Morocco

Allied Powers: tanCentral Powers: pink

Neutral countries: green

Crises – Bosnian Crisis

• 1908 – Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia

• Serbia thought it should be theirs

• This created tension between Austria-Hungary, Serbia, and Serbia’s ally Russia

Allied Powers: tanCentral Powers: pink

Neutral countries: green

• In 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand would be the spark that started World War One

Countries involved in WWI, with Allied Powers green and Central Powers yellow

Causes of World War One

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family. Archduke was heir to

the throne in the Austrian Hungarian Empire. His

assassination June 28, 1914 eventually led to WWI.

Garvillo Princip, a Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke. He was

trying to gain allowances for his fellow Serbs who lived under Austrian rule.

Franz Ferdinand’s funeral procession

franz

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Alliance Chain Reaction

• When the Archduke was assassinated, Bosnia along with Serbia were annexed to Austria-Hungary.

• Austria-Hungary was convinced Serbia has something to do with the killings.

• They used this excuse to declare war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.

• This set off the chain reaction of alliances throughout Europe.

Chain Reaction, Continued

• July 29, 1914- Russia (Russia was Serbia’s protector) began mobilization.

• Germany demanded Russia stop. They didn’t. Germany declared war on Russia.

• Russia’s ally France declared war on Germany.

• Germany declares war on Belgium.

• Great Britain declared war on Germany.

Schlieffen Plan

• Quick sweep through France to knock the French out of the war then turn east and defeat Russia.

• Germany is between France and Russia. • This plan was put in order to avoid fighting both

countries at the same time.• Germany had to pass through Belgium to get to France• Belgium was neutral.• Germany hoped Britain would stay out of the war. • The invasion of Belgium brought Britain into the war. • 1 week after the conflict started all of Europe’s great

powers were involved.

Archduke and Wife Assassinated

Austria-Hungary Declares war on

Serbia

July 28, 1914

Russia Begins Mobilization

July 29, 1914

Germany Declares war on Russia

August 1,1914

Russian’s ally France readies

troops

Germany Demands Russia

Stop

Germany’s

Schlieffen Plan

Britain Enters War after invasion of

Belgium

August 4, 1914

Central Powers and Allies Formed

WWI Alliances

Central PowersoGermany

oAustria-Hungary

oOttoman Empire

oBulgaria

Allies

oRussia

oFrance

oSerbia

oGreat Britain

oItaly

oRomania

Discussion Question

• What could have been done differently to prevent World War One from happening?

Bibliography

• “Firstworldwar.com." First World War.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2014.

• "World War One - Causes." From Ancient Times to the 20th Century. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2014.