The Causes of WWIThe Causes of WWI

IB 20IB 20thth Century Topics Century Topics

The Causes of WWI are…The Causes of WWI are…

NationalismNationalism ImperialismImperialism The Alliance SystemThe Alliance System MilitarismMilitarism The Assassination of Archduke The Assassination of Archduke

NationalismNationalism Nationalism means being Nationalism means being

a strong supporter of the a strong supporter of the rights and interests of rights and interests of one’s own country. one’s own country.

This can be good and This can be good and bad. bad.

Nationalism as a Cause of WWI: Nationalism as a Cause of WWI: Italy and GermanyItaly and Germany

During the Congress of Vienna (the During the Congress of Vienna (the meeting to put Europe back together after meeting to put Europe back together after Napoleon was put into exile), the countries Napoleon was put into exile), the countries of Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia of Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia created a new Europe that left Germany created a new Europe that left Germany and Italy divided and basically getting the and Italy divided and basically getting the raw end of the deal. raw end of the deal.

Strong nationalist movements led to the Strong nationalist movements led to the reunification of Italy (1861) and Germany reunification of Italy (1861) and Germany (1871)(1871)

Nationalism as a Cause of WWI: Nationalism as a Cause of WWI: FranceFrance

France lost land to France lost land to Germany at the end Germany at the end of the Franco-of the Franco-Prussian War, which Prussian War, which left nationalist left nationalist groups in France groups in France dead-set on getting dead-set on getting that land back. that land back.

Nationalism as a Cause of WWI: Nationalism as a Cause of WWI: Austria-Hungary and SerbiaAustria-Hungary and Serbia

There were opposing nationalist groups There were opposing nationalist groups within these countries and each one within these countries and each one wanted their own land and government. wanted their own land and government.

ImperialismImperialism

Imperialism is when a country takes over Imperialism is when a country takes over new lands or countries and then subjects new lands or countries and then subjects the people to its rule. the people to its rule.

Imperialism as a Cause of WWIImperialism as a Cause of WWI

The rise of Industrialism meant that The rise of Industrialism meant that countries needed new markets to get countries needed new markets to get resources from and sell their goods. resources from and sell their goods.

Britain, France, and Germany had growing Britain, France, and Germany had growing rivalries with each other over who ruled rivalries with each other over who ruled the lands in Africa. They quickly tried to the lands in Africa. They quickly tried to claim the land for themselves (this is claim the land for themselves (this is known as the Scramble for Africa)known as the Scramble for Africa)

The Alliance SystemThe Alliance System

An alliance is an agreement made An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries to give between two or more countries to give each other help (financially, militarily, and each other help (financially, militarily, and through goods and services) when they through goods and services) when they need it. need it.

When an alliance is signed, those When an alliance is signed, those countries become known as allies. countries become known as allies.

Alliances as a Cause for WWI: Alliances as a Cause for WWI:

There were many alliances made between There were many alliances made between the years 1879 and 1914 the years 1879 and 1914

These alliances were important to causing These alliances were important to causing WWI because they meant that many WWI because they meant that many countries had no choice but to declare war countries had no choice but to declare war if one of their allies did first. if one of their allies did first.

See handout. See handout.

MilitarismMilitarism Militarism is when Militarism is when

a country or a country or government places government places high importance on high importance on military forces. military forces. Building many Building many

weaponsweapons Enlisting many Enlisting many

soldierssoldiers

Militarism as a Cause of WWI:Militarism as a Cause of WWI:

Tensions that were growing in Europe led to Tensions that were growing in Europe led to an arms race (building more weapons than an arms race (building more weapons than the enemy)the enemy)

French and German armies doubled between French and German armies doubled between 1870 and 19141870 and 1914

Britain and Germany were competition with Britain and Germany were competition with each other for who controlled the seas each other for who controlled the seas (invention of battleships)(invention of battleships)

Countries began laying out war plans and Countries began laying out war plans and maps of where to attack. maps of where to attack.

AssassinationAssassination

The short-term cause of WWI was the The short-term cause of WWI was the assassination of Austrian archduke Franz assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife on June 28Ferdinand and his wife on June 28thth, 1914., 1914.

Ferdinand was the heir to the Austria-Ferdinand was the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne. Hungarian throne.

He and his wife were murdered in He and his wife were murdered in Sarajevo, Bosnia by a Serbian Nationalist, Sarajevo, Bosnia by a Serbian Nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, who worked for an Gavrilo Princip, who worked for an organization known as the Black Hand. organization known as the Black Hand.

Assassination as a Cause of Assassination as a Cause of WWI:WWI:

Immediately following the assassination Immediately following the assassination Germany pledged its full support to Austria-Germany pledged its full support to Austria-Hungary and pressured them to declare war on Hungary and pressured them to declare war on Serbia.Serbia.

France strengthened its backing of Russia. France strengthened its backing of Russia. Austria-Hungary was convinced that the Austria-Hungary was convinced that the

Serbian government was behind the Serbian government was behind the assassination and issued Serbia an assassination and issued Serbia an unacceptable ultimatum, and Serbia agreed unacceptable ultimatum, and Serbia agreed almostalmost entirely. entirely.

Assassination as a Cause for WWI: Assassination as a Cause for WWI: The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect

Austria-Hungary still wasn’t satisfied, and Austria-Hungary still wasn’t satisfied, and declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914

Russia, in support of their Allie Serbia, Russia, in support of their Allie Serbia, declares war on Austria-Hungarydeclares war on Austria-Hungary

Germany declares war on Russia, and two Germany declares war on Russia, and two days later on France. days later on France.

Germany’s invasion of Belgium (who Germany’s invasion of Belgium (who declared it was neutral) to attack France, declared it was neutral) to attack France, leads Britain to declare war on Germany. leads Britain to declare war on Germany.

Thus, WWI had begun. Thus, WWI had begun.