Causes of World War I

Hear ye, Hear ye

Causes of World War I

WWI started in 1914 and ended in 1918.

There are 4 main causes of World War I:

• Nationalism

• Industrialism

• Imperialism

• Secret Treaties

The TeamsThe Allies (also called the Triple Entente)

• France

• Great Britain

• Russia

• The United States (joined later in 1917)

The Central Powers (also called the Triple Alliance)

• Germany

• Austria-Hungary

• Italy

• The Ottoman Empire (joined later)

Cause #1: NationalismThe belief that your country is the best

By 1914

• Europe had not had a major war in a while

• Most countries were doing pretty well

• There were a lot of grudges between countries

• Germany and France (Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871)

• Russia and Ottoman Empire (wars on and off, 1760s, 1870s)

• Austria-Hungary and Russia (on and off war,1730s, 1760s, 1810s)

• Germany and EVERYONE (the Kaiser was kind of a jerk)

• Most people thought their country was the best in the world and were willing to prove it

Rosie the Riveter

Cause #2: IndustrialismMaking things better and faster with machines• Over the past few decades, machines

started making things better.

• Led to better ships, supplies, materials… and then weapons

• With more products comes a lot more money for industrialized nations

• With relative peace in Europe, countries are making A LOT of bigger and more powerful weapons… and are now ITCHING to use them in combat.

• Leads to heavy militarization

• Before, the country with the most soldiers would likely win.

• Nations with smaller populations can now make awesome weapons and win against bigger nations.

HEAVILY-INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS BY 1914

Germany (best industry in the world)Great BritainAustria-HungaryThe United StatesFrance

Cause #3: ImperialismWhen a country adds overseas land to their empire. • Many countries were EMPIRES at this time,

meaning that they were in charge of other countries around the world.

• There was a lot of money to be had in owning other countries

• The more land you acquired, the better and more powerful your country was.

• All their resources are yours!!!

• Diamonds in southern Africa

• Gemstones in Asia

• Oil in Middle East (lubricated machines)

• Fishing in coastal areas (whale oil powered lamps and lubricated machines)

• Taxes on local populations

• Countries were competing with each other since the “Scramble for Africa”

• At least 1 country upset because they didn’t have a large empire (Germany)

Cecil Rhodes: The world’s biggest jerk!

COUNTRIES WITH LARGE EMPIRES

Great Britain (world’s largest empire)

• “the sun never sets on the British Empire”

France

The Ottoman Empire

Russia

Cause #4: Secret Alliances

• Because of the peaceful time, nationalism, and the new weapons… Countries formed alliances with each other

• Made in secret, very confusing

• No one knew who was allied with who

• Why a problem?• Countries competing for

resources

• Grudges from previous conflicts

• If war starts, you don’t know who has your back.

ALL OF THIS LEADS TO…• Long-standing grudges (everyone hates Germany, everyone looks down on the

Ottomans)

• Confusing treaties

• “If you Germany is attacked by Russia, Austria-Hungary will provide monetary aid but will not arm her troops unless Great Britain mobilizes. If Austria-Hungary provides resources, then Germany will add 20,000 troops to defend the southern border against a French attack…”

• “My country can totally beat up your country”

• Just dying to try out their new weapons (machine guns, artillery, battleships, etc)

• Europe is ready for war… all that is needed is a spark to set it all off…

• To Be Continued…

• 1914- Austria-Hungary Empire

• Empire of hundreds of ethnic groups, all wanting more independence

• Emperor Franz Joseph a stern, military guy

• “Crush all who oppose”

• “…but he’s getting kinda old”

THE SPARK

THE TALE OF ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND AND GAVRILLO PRINCEP

• Archduke of Austria-Hungary

• Next in line when Emperor dies

• Serbia wants its own nation, Emperor Joseph refuses and puts down riots

• Serbia worried that Franz will be just as cruel when he takes over

• Franz Ferdinand

• Very decent human being

• Made plans to dissolve Austria-Hungary Empire and form a “United States” type government where each group got its own nation

• Would have been an outstanding ruler.

FRANZ FERDINAND

He doesn’t even see it coming…

• Many ethnic groups protesting, rioting, pushing for a country of their own

• Many groups are formed for rebellion, many terrorist groups to fight back.

• The Black Hand

• Small terrorist cell in Serbia

• Discovers Archduke Franz Ferdinand coming to capital city, Sarajevo, to “inspect the local troops”

• “Happening” to visit on the day of Serbia’s “rebellion holiday”

• Celebrate nearly overthrowing Austrian rule

• Assume this is a cover to investigate the riots

• Form a plan to kill Franz during his parade through town with bombs.

• Young Gavrilo Princep is the “gunman”

• Responsible to kill Archduke if bombs fail.

THE BLACK HAND

• Archduke visits

• Never been to Sarajevo before

• Streets crowded with spectators

• Black Hand members line the rooftops with their homemade bombs

• Bombs bounce off his car and blow up in the crowd.

• Archduke shows his character

• Orders his officers to help the wounded, unconcerned for himself.

• Gets out to help too.

• Escape

• Gavrilo approaches on foot with pistol, Archduke’s car drives off.

ASSASSINATION THAT STARTED A WAR

• Gavrilo missed his chance

• leaves, walks a few blocks, stops at a corner stand to buy a roast beef sandwich.

• Archduke’s men get lost

• Never been to Sarajevo before

• Zigzagging frantically through the alleyways of Sarajevo to escape.

• Gavrilo purchases sandwich, turns to see a confused cavalcade of cars coming towards him.

• Hanging out the side of the front car is the confused Archduke

• Less than 10 feet away the car stops to get directions.

• Gavrilo walks up and makes the kill, shooting both shots of his pistol

• Killing the Archduke and his wife

• Kids are instantly made orphans.

FATE

Some people are just destined to die

• Austria-Hungary demands the guilty parties

• Serbia refuses to turn over prisoners, swear to punish the culprits themselves.

• AND NOW THINGS GET INTERESTING…

• Russia steps in

• Pushing for more land from the eroding A-H Empire for years

• Claiming they are the “Protector of all Serbs”

• Opportunity to add Serbia to Russian lands

• Germany gives Austria-Hungary a “blank check” of support

• “We will stand by you no matter what and support you unconditionally against Russia if war starts”

• Kaiser Wilhelm immediately goes on holiday.

• Leaders of Russia and Germany are relatives even

• Germany feels disrespected by Europe, not able to get imperial land during “scramble”, has tried to steal land from others in the past.

• Austria-Hungary sends ultimatum to Serbia

• Turn over prisoners by midnight or else

THE SPARK

Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany

• June 28th 1914- Franz Ferdinand assassinated

• July 5th- Germany gives “blank check”

• July 23rd- Austria-Hungary gives ultimatum

• July 31st- Germany warns Russia to stop mobilizing army, Russia promises they are mobilizing against A-H only.

• August 1st- GERMANY DECLARES WAR ON RUSSIA

• August 3rd- GERMANY DECLARES WAR ON FRANCE

• August 4th- Germany invades Belgium to cross into France, BRITAIN DELCARES WAR ON GERMANY

• August 7th- British forces arrive in France, both Britain and France lose in a battle against the Germans.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS TO START WWI