The Road To War
1914
Causes of World War 11. Emergence of
Germany as a major power
1900 Most German speaking people are united under one nation – Germany
Wish to be recognized as a world power
Wants colonies and territory
Causes of World War 12. Imperialism (Clash of Empires)
The Act of empire building
Britain, France, Spain and Portugal have many colonies = big Empires
Germany wants an empire too
Causes of World War 1
3. Naval / Arms Race
Britain had the largest Navy – to protect its empire
Germany wanted a navy too, to acquire colonies and then protect them
Britain saw Germany’s naval growth as a direct threat!!!
Causes of World War 1
4. Nationalism
Pride in one’s country
Citizens were prepared to do anything for their nation – even go to war
5. The Alliances of WWI
Causes of World War 1
6. The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
Austrian heir, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife are killed by a Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand, in Sarajevo, Bosnia – a state within the Austro-Hungarian Empire
The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……
Black Hand – Serbian Nationalist Terrorist group. Resent being a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Serbia historically closer to Russia not Austria-Hungary Kill the A-H heir
The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……
Summer 1914
Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated at Sarajevo
June 28
July 23
July 25
July 28
Austria sends ultimatum (list of demands) to Serbia
Serbia replies, rejecting them
Austria invades Serbia
July 29 Russia mobilizes
Alliances kick in
The SPARK - the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Continued……
Summer 1914 - continued
July 29- Russia mobilizes army along borders with Austria and Germany- Germany declares war on Russia
August 3 - France mobilizes forces to assist Russia- Germany declares war on France
August 4 - 5
Germany invades Belgium as a way to get to France Britain declares war on Germany – protecting Belgium
Canada and the British Empire are at war
World War 1 Begins The Schlieffen Planhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/western_front/index_embed.shtml
Designed to prevent a war on two fronts
Take France in 6 weeks, by surprise by going through Belgium
Once France falls, move troops east to fight Russia
World War 1 Begins Schlieffen Plan – Why
it Failed!1. Belgium had a treaty
with Britain, France and Germany guaranteeing its neutrality
2. German Generals altered the plan causing German troops to turn south towards Paris earlier than originally planned
Britain objected when Germany invaded Belgium This was their reason to go to war
German troops encountered both French troops moving out of Paris and British from the Channel ports
World War 1 Begins
German advance was halted on the Marne River – both sides “dug-in” extensive trench systems protected by artillery and machine guns
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