The Causes of the First World WarWWI: 1914-1918

MRS. BURNS, MODERN WORLD HISTORY, 2014

MAIN Causes

Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

Others add Diplomacy (or lack thereof)

Key Question 1:

Why was there increasing tension between the Great Powers, 1890-1914? Did the alliance system make war more likely? How far did colonial problems create tensions between the

Great Powers? Why were problems in the Balkans so difficult for the Great

Powers to solve? How important was the Kaiser in causing the worsening

international situation? Why did the arms race escalate, 1900-1914?

A. The Alliance System

In 1914, the most powerful countries in Europe were members of two opposing alliances: The Triple Alliance (1882), and the Triple Entente (1907).

Triple Alliance- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente- England, France, Russia

The Triple Alliance (aka, The Central Powers)

1. Germany- Kaiser Wilhelm II:

created German colonies in Africa- to rival Br and FrOrdered the building of a large German navy to

compete with BrBuilt up the Triple Alliance from fear of being

‘surrounded’ by Fr and RusExpanded the German army to compete with Russia

The Triple Alliance (aka, The Central Powers)

2. Austria-Hungary: made up of many different ethnic groups that wanted

independence Emperor, Franz Joseph, wanted to increase A-H’s influence

and power, so joined the Triple Alliance Serbs wanted to join with Serbia Czechs and Slovaks wanted their own state Serbia was becoming stronger, and being supported by

Russia

The Triple Alliance (aka, The Central Powers)

3. Italy: By 1882, the Italian government was looking

to create new colonies in Africa, and also to extend its influence, so it joined the Triple Alliance.

The Triple Entente (1907)

1. Britain-

-large navy

-huge empire (including India, Africa, Far East)

-1st involved with France in the Entente Cordiale in 1904

-very concerned with Germany’s military growth, the threat to its colonies, and peace in Europe

The Triple Entente

2. France-

-France was defeated in 1871 in the Franco- Prussian War

-France was worried about Germany’s military strength

-France formed an alliance with Russia in 1894

-France wanted to regain Alsace-Lorraine

-France wanted Britain to become more involved in preserving peace in Europe

The Triple Entente

3. Russia-

- largest of the Great Powers

- most underdeveloped

- 1905- lost a war with Japan, and Russia ended up in civil war/uprising

-Tsar Nicholas II wanted to:

- build up the Russian army

- keep close links with Serbia and other Slav groups

- maintain close ties with France and Britain

The Arms Race

COUNTRY NUMBER OF SOLDIERS IN 1914

Germany 4.500.000

Britain 750.000

France 3.750.000

Austria 750.000

Russia 1.250.000

Italy 750.000

Naval Arms Race

Britain always had a large navy (an island), but then Kaiser Wilhelm wanted to build up the German navy.

1906: British launched the new battleship, the HMS Dreadnought:

Larger, more heavily armed than any other ship

Kaiser decided to build Dreadnoughts to keep up (as other battleships were now obsolete)

Naval Arms Race:Number of Dreadnoughts built, 1906-1914

YEAR BRITAIN GERMANY

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

Total: 29Total: 17

Plans for War:All the Great Powers had war plans in place, due to the complicated alliance system

Germany: The Schlieffen Plan

Germany to sweep quickly through Belgium, defeat France, then cross to the East to fight Russia

*to avoid a two-front war*

Plans for War:

France: Plan 17

France would invade Germany through Alsace-Lorraine Britain: BEF

Britain would support the French army with a small but highly trained and mobile expeditionary force. They would rely on the navy to blockade German ports and use its forces overseas to harass the Germans. There were approx. 600,000 troops in the BEF, and 29 Dreadnought battleships.

Plans for War:

Austria: Plan R

Austria would invade Russia with thousands of troops and attack Serbia at the same time.

Russia: The Russian plan relied on using the huge army to defeat any enemy. There were about 3 million troops, but they were poorly trained and equipped.

Events leading to War:

Moroccan Crises, 1905 and 1911: Kaiser Wilhelm had begun creating an African empire to compete

with Britain and France. He also wanted to show his interest in north Africa, so in 1905 he visited Morocco and made a speech encouraging it to seek independence.

The French also wanted control of N. Africa- furious with Kaiser 1906- Algeciras conference held to reduce tensions- Kaiser was

opposed by both Br and Fr

1907- Entente Cordiale (Br and Fr) extended into the Triple Entente (adding Russia)

Kaiser saw this as another reason to feel encircled and undermined 1911- another Moroccan Crisis- Fr would take over Morocco and

give money to Ger. For their loss of trade Kaiser sent a gunboat to Agadir Another conference held- Br and FR supported each other again.

France took over Morocco and Germany was given land in C. Africa to make up for it.

The Balkan Wars (1910-1914)

SE Europe Politically unstable Many nationalities Turkey had been ruler there, but their power declining New countries there often in conflict Russia an Austria both wanted control of the Balkans

Key Question 2:

Why did the First World War break out on 1914? Why was Franz Ferdinand assassinated in 1914? How did the assassination of Franz Ferdinand lead to the outbreak

of war? How far were the actions of Austria-Hungary, Britain, Germany and

Russia responsible for the outbreak of war? How far did the Schlieffen Plan contribute to the outbreak of war?

The Final Straw: The Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Summer 1914- The heir to the Austrian throne and his wife were murdered by the Serbian supported terrorist group “The Black Hand” while visiting Sarajevo.

The Austrian Government blamed Serbia Austria issued an ultimatum to Serbia- Serbia refused.

Austria declared war on July 28.

The Road to War

28 June- Heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot in Sarajevo. 23 July- Austria delivers ultimatum to Serbia, whom they blame for

the murders. 24 July- Serbia accepts most of the demands- suggests mediation 25 July- Austria rejects the Serbian proposal and begins to mobilize

its troops. Russia tells Austria that they will also mobilize. 28 July- Austria declares war on Serbia 30 July- Russia orders mobilization of its troops. Germany warns

Russia: if you continue to mobilize, you risk war with Germany. Russia continues

1 Aug- Germany declares war on Russia. Italy declares it will remain neutral (despite alliance)

3 Aug- Germany declares war on France 4 Aug- Germany invades Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan.

Later that day, Britain declares war on Germany.

Mobilization

Speed was vital for victory. Once a country began to mobilize (move) and transport its troops to the front line, then the enemy had to do the same or risk immediate defeat.

Therefore, once mobilization began, it was very hard to stop.

Exam Practice

“The system of Alliances made war more likely.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.