The Great War Begins

What Would You Do?

One day after school you see two groups of schoolmates involved in

a fight. Both sides yell to you to join in and

help their side. What are the advantages and

disadvantages of remaining neutral and staying out of the fight?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting involved?

If you do get involved how do you decide what group to join?

Alliances in Europe

Great Powers in Europe Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy,

Britain, France and Russia Start to distrust each other Group together/form treaties to

protect each other

Alliances were intended to keep peace so that no one would dare attack the other but the opposite happened

Map of Europe

Alliances

Triple Alliance Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary Later they become known as the

Central Powers

Triple Entente France, Britain and Russia Later they would become known as the

Allies

What two large alliances formed

before the beginning of World War I?

What were each called during the

war?

Underlying Causes of WWI

Nationalism

Imperialism

Militarism/Competition

System of Alliances

Nationalism European powers were jealous of

each other and guarded their status (rank, prestige)

Especially strong in Germany and France

Russia Sponsored a plan called pan-Slavism

which said all Slavic people shared a common nationality.

Russia was the largest Slavic community and so they felt obligated to protect all Slavs

In 1914 when they defend Serbia war will erupt!!

Imperialism

Overseas rivalries divided European nations

Competition for colonies almost brought France and Germany to war over Morocco

Britain and France also kept up with the competition and got colonies in Africa and Asia

To protect their empires they had to build up their militaries…

Militarism/Competition Militarism

Glorification of the military and led to arms race

Germany was growing into an economic and military powerhouse

Britain felt threatened by this growth

With tensions on the rise great powers began to build up their armies and navies Worst rivalry was between Britain and

Germany

System of Alliances

All these mutual hostilities, jealousies, fears and desires led Europe to sign treaties of assistance that committed them to support one another

If one country was attacked the other had to protect that country and help them fight

What were the underlying causes that led to WWI?

Assassination Sparks War!! A conflict between Austria-Hungary

and Serbia would soon erupt in war Crisis begins when Archduke Francis

Ferdinand announced he would visit the capital of Bosnia. At the time Bosnia was under the control of Austria-Hungary but it was also home to many Serbs

News of this visit angered many Serbian nationalists

Assassination Sparks War!! Members of a Serbian terrorist group

known as the Black Hand fired on both the Archduke and his wife Sophia who died on the spot

Austria Strikes Back Hungary wanted to maintain peace but

Austria was adamant about going to war. Germany tell Austria that they will back

them 100% no matter the cost Austria send Serbia an ultimatum – to

avoid war Serbia must end all anti-Austrian aggression and punish any Serbian official involved in the murder plot and would allow Austria to join the investigation

Their refusal to meet all the demands allowed Austria on July 28, 1914 to declare war on Serbia

Alliances Kick In

The war between Serbia and Austria might have been just a small war but because of the system of alliances drew the great powers deeper into conflict

Russia and France back Serbia Russia ask France to join their side and

they do so When Germany demands that France

stay out but they refused and Germany declare war on France

Alliances Kick In

Italy and Britain remain neutral (take neither side) initially

General Alfred von Schlieffen developed Germany’s military policy

Germany’s location presented the possibility of a two-front war with France in the West and Russia in the East

Schlieffen Plan was designed to avoid this problem

Alliances Kick In

Schleiffen said Germany should attack France first because it would take Russia’s military would be slow to get going

But the plan required going through Belgium so Germany attack them too

This act outrages Britain and they join forces with France

How did the alliance system deepen the

original conflict between Austria-

Hungary and Serbia into a general war?

Reaction to War

Governments on both sides emphasized that their countries were fighting for justice and a better world

Young men rushed to enlist, cheered on by their women and elders

Now that war had come it seemed like an exciting adventure