Lecture #2:

Setting the

Stage for WWI Updated 09/2007

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Objectives:

S2C8PO1 Examine the causes of World

War I:

A. Rise of Nationalism in Europe

C. Rise of ethnic and ideological conflicts- the

Balkans, Austria-Hungary, and the decline

of the Ottoman Empire

I. Background Information

A. Nicknames

1. “The Great War”

2. “The War to End All Wars”

B. M.A.I.N. Causes of the War

1. M – Militarism

2. A – Alliance System

3. I – Imperialism

4. N - Nationalism

II. Militarism

A. Definition- the glorification of armed

strength. (threat or force)

B. 1800’s- large well trained armies.

III. Alliance System

A. Balance of power shifted.

B. 1800’s- countries are forming alliances.

C. Reasons- economic and military power.

D. Triple Alliance

1. Three Emperor’s League (1881)- formed by Bismarck to avoid an alliance between France and Russia.

2. Germany, Austria, and Russia

3. The Triple Alliance

Germany – Italy – Austria/Hungary

E. The Triple Entente (Friendship)

Great Britain – France – Russia

IV. Imperialism A. Definition- the domination of a weaker

country by and stronger one.

V. Nationalism A. Definition- love, pride, and devotion for one’s

country.

B. Causes heated rivalries.

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VI. “Powder Keg” of Europe

A. Geography

1. Balkans- South Eastern European

countries of:

Serbia, Albania, Montenegro

B. Area is important because it gives access to

the Med. Sea.

VII. The Spark

A. Geography- Sarajevo (Bosnia).

B. Event- June 28, 1914 – assassination of

Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the

A-H throne, and his wife

C. Assassin- Princip, a member of a Serbian

nationalist group called the Black Hand.

D. Austria vows to punish Serbia.

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VIII. Ultimatum

A. Definition- a final, uncompromising

demand or set of terms issued by a party

to a dispute, the rejection of which may

lead to a severance of relations or to the

use of force.

B. In response to the assassination.

C. Austria-Hungary/Germany vs.

Serbia/Russia.

D. The following demands were made:

1-Serbian government must suppress all groups that oppose A-H government.

2-Serbia must dismiss school teachers and ban books that did not support A-H.

3-Serbia must dismiss government officials who spoke out against A-H.

4-A-H officials must be allowed to participate in the trials of those accused in the assassination.

E. Serbia had one month to agree or A-H

would use military action.

F. Serbian government accepted the first

three, but rejected the fourth term.

G. July 28, 1914- Austria-Hungary declared

war on Serbia.

IX. Mobilization of Europe

A. Definition- act of preparing one’s army for war.

B. Negotiations failed.

C. Mobilization

1. Russia moves toward Austria-Hungary and

Germany.

2. Germany warns Russia to stop.

D. August 1, 1914- Germany declares war on

Russia.

E. August 3, 1914- Germany declares war on

France.

Quote:

U.S. President Taft

“As I write, Germany is reported to have

declared war against Russia and

France….Nothing like it has occurred

since the great Napoleonic Wars…All of

Europe is to be a battleground…The

future looks dark indeed.”

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Review Questions

1. Name and describe the MAIN causes of

WWI.

2. Describe the spark that started WWI.

3. List the countries that belonged to the

Triple Alliance and Triple Entente.

4. Describe the sequence of events that took

place leading up to the war.