The Causes of World War I1914-19181914-1918

Europe Before World War IEurope Before World War I

Causes of World War I

Militarism Alliances Nationalism Imperialism Assassination

1. Militarism1. Militarism

Nations were Nations were

building powerful building powerful armed forces—armed forces—militarism.militarism.

By 1890, the By 1890, the strongest army strongest army was in Germany.was in Germany.

They were They were competing competing against the British against the British who were known who were known for their strong for their strong navynavy..

2. Alliances By By 1914, Europe had 1914, Europe had

2 major alliances2 major alliances:: A. The A. The Triple EntenteTriple Entente- - later known as later known as the the Allies Allies B. The B. The Central PowersCentral Powers

The The AlliesAllies Consisted ofConsisted of FranceFrance Great BritainGreat Britain Russia Russia

****Italy joined in 1915Italy joined in 1915****Russia had a separate Russia had a separate

agreement with Serbiaagreement with Serbia**The U.S. joins this side **The U.S. joins this side

in 1917in 1917

The The Central PowersCentral Powers Consisted of:Consisted of: GermanyGermany Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary The Ottoman The Ottoman

EmpireEmpire

3. Nationalism NationalismNationalism-is fierce/ -is fierce/

extreme loyalty to a extreme loyalty to a nation.nation.

In the In the early 1900s early 1900s nationalism nationalism was was strong in Germany & strong in Germany & France.France.

Germany was proud of Germany was proud of their their industrializationindustrialization & & militarizationmilitarization——while France was a bit while France was a bit jealous.jealous.

They were also jealous They were also jealous because they lost some because they lost some land to the Germans land to the Germans during the Franco-during the Franco-Prussian WarPrussian War..

While in Eastern Europe Russia supportedRussia supported

something called something called Pan-Pan-SlavismSlavism——where all where all Slavic people share an Slavic people share an identity—among these identity—among these people were the people were the Serbians.Serbians.

Serbia is located on Serbia is located on the Balkan Peninsulathe Balkan Peninsula

                                                                

           

4. Imperialism European countries European countries

were competing for were competing for colonies around the colonies around the globe—this is called globe—this is called imperialismimperialism..

Germany was trying to Germany was trying to keep up with France & keep up with France & Great Britain.Great Britain.

Serbia

Serbia was an Serbia was an independent country independent country but lots lived under but lots lived under Austria-Hungary’s Austria-Hungary’s rulerule—Russia’s —Russia’s competition.competition.

Other groups were Other groups were also oppressed.also oppressed.

Imperialism in AsiaImperialism in Asia

Imperialism in AfricaImperialism in Africa

5. Assassination On 6/28/1914, the heir to Austria-Hungary’s throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, visited Sarajevo, Bosnia.

The neighboring Serbs were mad because it was a symbolic date in their history.

A Serbian terrorist named Gavrilo Princip shot & killed the archduke & his wife.

What was his motive?What was his motive?

1.1. He was He was part of a part of a terrorist group called terrorist group called the the Black HandBlack Hand..

2.2. Serbia was free BUT Serbia was free BUT Bosnia—home of Bosnia—home of many Serbs--was many Serbs--was controlled by controlled by Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary whom they hated.whom they hated.

Alliances come into play… A-H blames Serbia for

the murder. They demand all violence toward their country to stop.

Serbia agreed to some of it but not all. Austria-Hungary declares war & on 7/28/1914--WWI officially begins.

I’ve got your back… Austria-Hungary was Austria-Hungary was

backed by Germany.backed by Germany. Serbia was backed by Serbia was backed by

Russia who’s allies Russia who’s allies were France and Great were France and Great Britain.Britain.

It was ALL OUT It was ALL OUT WAR!WAR!

                                     

What was supposed to be a “summer war” turned out to be the biggest war that the world had ever seen up until that point!

Propaganda was used by both sides.

SOOOOO…whose fault was it? YOU DECIDE!