What Caused World War I?
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Transcript of What Caused World War I?
What Caused
World War I?
Caused majority ethnic groups to discriminate against minority ethnic groups within their nation
Territorial disputes ◦ExamplesAlsace-LorraineBalkan Wars
Nationalism
Nations in Europe - 1914
Smaller ethnic groups within large empires, such as the Serbs in Austria-Hungary, were trying to gain their independence
Long-standing rivalry between Aus-Hung. & Russia, the “protector of the Slavs”
Destabilization of Old Empires
Ethnic Groups in Europe - 1914
Competition for land, resources and locations for naval bases◦Over 60 years!
“Have Nations” ~ Britain, France, Russia
“Have Nots” ~ Germany & Austria Hungary
Imperialism
Glorification of the military = Arms race◦Protect growing empires◦Display national pride
Not so much a question of ‘if’ a war would take place, but ‘when’
Military plans made well before the war started
**Chart on page 283**
Spirit of Militarism
Triple Entente: Britain, France, and Russia
Triple Alliance : Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and German
Secret treaties◦“Blank Check” from Germany to Aus-Hung.
◦One goes to war, they all go to war
Entangling Alliances
“Survival of the Fittest” theory newly applied to nations
Social Darwinism
Austria-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire in danger of crumbling
European nations greedy for landGermany becoming a threat◦equally as rich as Britain◦caught up in industry◦biggest army in Europe
Change in Balance of Power
Europe was a powder
keg waiting to explode into war…
NATIONALISM!! Caused increased competition & heightened rivalry amongst powerful nations◦Super-patriotism◦Race for land/resources◦Arms race◦Destabilization of old empires
What’s the Biggest Cause?
What was the ‘spark’ that finally set it off!?!?
If Archduke Franz Ferdinand had not been assassinated, do you think WWI
would have happened?
Why did nations join World War I?Country Allied With Reasons for Entering
Austria-Hungary Germany Wanted to punish Serbia for encouraging
terrorism
Germany Austria-Hungary Stood by its one dependable ally, A-H
Serbia Russia Attacked by A-H after assassination of
Ferdinand
Russia Serbia, France, Britain Wanted to defend Slavic peoples in Serbia
France Russia & Britain Wanted to avoid facing Germany alone at a
later date
Belgium Neutral Invaded by Germany
Britain France & Russia Outraged by invasion of Belgium