Militarism

Militarism is when there is a competition between countries to build up the size and strength of their armies and navies.

One example of militarism before WWI was the competition between France and Germany. The armies of both France and Germany became twice as big between 1870 and 1914. They competed to see who would be more powerful and have more military might.

The British and Germans practiced militarism as well. The British introduced a powerful military ship called the “dreadnought.” (see the picture on the right). Germans soon followed and made their own battleships.

The chart shows how much money each country spent on supplying each soldier with military equipment.

Discussion Questions:In general, how does the amount of money spent by each country change over time? Why would nations spend so much money on the military, during a time of peace?

AlliancesAn alliance is a secret agreement between countries. European countries signed a lot of secret agreements and entered alliances before World War I. In the agreements, they promised to protect each other in case one country was attacked. If one country in the treaty was invaded or hurt, their ally was forced to go to war against their enemy. By 1914, there were several alliances. The two most important were the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.

“Should one of the two empires be attacked by Russia, the Contracting parties are bound (obligated) to come to the assistance of the one attacked with the whole war strength of their Empires.”

- Alliance between Austria-Hungary and Germany October 7, 1879

Discussion Questions:Which countries were part of the Triple Alliance (Central Powers)?Which countries were part of the Triple Entente (Allies)?What problems could arise from having too many alliances?

NationalismDuring this time, there were strong feelings of nationalism in European countries. People loved their nation so much they were willing to die for it. The people in each country loved their homeland and thought it was better than all the others. Nationalism was strong in both Germany and France. After losing a war (Franco-Prussian War) with Germany and having to pay money and give over territories, France to become a powerful country again. Many of the French people wanted revenge on Germany.

PAN-SLAVISM Pan-Slavism was a movement that tried to bring together all Slavic peoples (an ethnic group in Eastern Europe). Serbia was a small Slavic country that wanted independence from being controlled by Austria-Hungary (a very large, powerful empire). Russia was the largest Slavic country and it was ready to defend its fellow Slavic people in Serbia from Austria-Hungary. This led to tension between Russia and Austria-Hungary.

Quotes Showing European Nationalism:1. “Have but one thought: To reestablish France’s forces, gather her energy, increase her anger...Then one day she will take back Alsace-Lorraine (from Germany).” - Victor Hugo

2. “We will get our place in the sun, Germany is the strongest country in Europe.” -German official

3. “We must be the protectors of our Slavic Brothers” - Czar Nicholas II

Discussion QuestionHow can Nationalism be both positive and negative?

Imperialism Imperialism is when a stronger country takes over a weaker country politically, economically and socially. (But you already knew that!)

Britain, France, Germany, and other nations competed for colonies and economic power. Britain and Germany also competed industrially. Germany had industrialized rapidly, and the British felt threatened by this. Because of both Britain and France competed with Germany, the two countries began to form close ties with each other.

“In the last fifty years, the imperialism by all European states has poisoned international relations. There are no more areas of the world to conquer, but we (all the European countries) still hunger for the same resources. Policies of revenge, expansion, and greed have contributed to the growing problems in Europe” -Count Brockdorff-Rantzu, leader of the German delegation to Versailles

The map shows the overseas territories of European countries before World War I.

Assassination

1. Archduke (Prince) Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary is assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist.2. Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for the assassination. Germany supports Austria-Hungary’s actions.3. Serbia refuses to accept guilt and Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia.4. Serbia’s friend Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary and Germany.5. Germany declares war on Russia and France, Russia’s friend. It invades Belgium in order to get closer to France.6. Britain defends Belgium and declares war on Germany

Date Declarer On1914

July 28 Austria-Hungary SerbiaAugust 1 Germany RussiaAugust 3 Germany FranceAugust 4 United Kingdom GermanyAugust 6 Austria-Hungary Russia

Serbia GermanyAugust 11 France Austria-

HungaryDate Declarer On

August 12 United Kingdom Austria-Hungary

November 1

Russia Ottoman Empire

November 2

Serbia Ottoman Empire

November 5

United Kingdom, France

Ottoman Empire

1915May 23 Italy Austria-

HungaryAugust 21 Italy Ottoman

EmpireAugust 27 Italy Germany