The Great War. In Europe, military buildup, nationalistic feelings, imperialism, and rival alliances...
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Transcript of The Great War. In Europe, military buildup, nationalistic feelings, imperialism, and rival alliances...
The Great War
• In Europe, military buildup, nationalistic feelings, imperialism, and rival alliances set the stage for a continental war.
• One European nation after another was drawn into a large and industrialized war that resulted in many casualties.
Causes of World War I
• Militarism – policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war.
• Alliance System – both public and secret alliances drug most of the continent of Europe into war.
• Imperialism – industrialization led to competition for materials and markets and resulted in territorial disputes.
• Nationalism – a deep devotion to one’s nation.
• Shifting Alliances– 1890, Kaiser Wilhelm II, built up navy, let
treaty with Russia lapse.– Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, and
Russia
Crisis in the Balkans
• ‘Powder Keg’ of Europe• Serbian nationalism – supported by
Russia, opposed by Austria-Hungary.• Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and
Herzegovina in 1908, Serbia outraged.
A Shot Rings Throughout Europe
• June 28, 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand and wife Sophie assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.
• Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an Ultimatum.
• July 28, 1914 – Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
• Russia mobilized troops to borders of both Austria-Hungary and Germany.
• Germany declared war on Russia, then on Russia’s ally France.
The Schlieffen Plan
• German plan to avoid a two-front war.• Sweep through Belgium, quickly defeat
France, then turn to face Russia.• ‘Poor Little Belgium’• August 4, 1914 – Great Britain declared
war on Germany for invading neutral Belgium.
• The Schlieffen Plan Failed.
The Schlieffen Plan
European Nations Take Sides
• Central Powers – Austria-Hungary, Germany (Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire later joined in hopes of regaining lost territories.)
• Allies – Great Britain, France, Russia (Japan within weeks, later Italy)
• It Begins – in late summer, 1914, millions marched happily off to what they thought would be a short war.