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The Steps to War: World War One

What one incident can you find that kicked off world war one?

- Get into groups of four and discuss work quick 5-10 minutes max!

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The Concert of Europe

This was a period of no fixed alliances from 1815-1879

Nations could, and did, go to war with each other and then, a few years later, team up to fight a different enemy

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 made France and Germany bitter rivals

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Alliances: The End of the Concert of Europe In 1879 Germany signs a

permanent alliance with Austria-Hungary called the Austro-German Alliance (the Dual Alliance)

In 1882 Italy is encouraged to join and this creates the “Triple Alliance”

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The German Rationale

The goal of these alliance was to keep France and Russia from creating an alliance against Germany

The German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck feared a two front war

Bismarck forced the Russian government in 1887 to sign “The Reinsurance Treaty” which forced them to remain neutral for 3 years.

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Rival Alliances Form

In 1890 the Reinsurance Treaty lapses and Kaiser Wilhelm II decides it is not needed

France immediately signs a treaty with Russia for mutual protection: The Franco Russian Alliance

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Imperial Conflict European nations

were in competition for colonies around the world

Britain, with the largest empire in the world was the model for all other nations

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Britain and France Settle their Differences

French and British military forces met at a place in the Sudan called Fachoda

The French decide to give in to the British, thereby setting the stage for a later military alliance

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The Entente Cordial

In 1904 the British sign an “entente” (understanding) with the French.

The British agree to help defend France if the neutrality of Belgium or the Netherlands is violated

The new arrangement is called “The Triple Entente” and includes France, Britain and Russia

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Years of Crisis

The Moroccan Crisis – 1905: Germany tests the new Entente

Russo-Japanese War of 1905: Russian fleet destroyed by the Japanese. Imperial ambitions over Manchuria and Korea Japan enters world stage

Bosnian Annexation Crisis 1908-9, Russia fails to aid Bosnians

First and Second Balkan Wars, 1911 & 1912: Ottoman Empire begins to collapse and Russia appears weak

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The Two Alliances Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-

Hungary & Italy) Triple Entente (Britain, France & Russia)

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The Assassination

The Austrian heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated while parading through the streets of Sarajevo on June 28th, 1914 by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian Black Hand terrorist group

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War Becomes Inevitable

On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary delivers an ultimatum to Serbia

Serbia accepts the terms, but Austria declares war anyway

Russia hesitates, but decides to defend Serbia, a Slavic country like Russia

This meant that the other members of each alliance were now at war too

Since the great powers were world powers, it became a world war.

Alliance Clip

Homework

Please read pages 60-69 Answer questions 1-2 on page 65

under Understand and Organize

Tomorrow’s Class: Work Period Page 74: Understand and Organize:

3, 5b, 6, 7, 9 Analyze and Evaluate: 12, 14 Research and Communicate: 18b

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