Causes of WWICauses of WWI

Causes of World War I

-National identities became important, people were educated in nationalism at school

-National pride was based upon industrial power and colonies.

-1871: Germany and Italy became countries -wanted to be like Britain /France

-New nationalisms were breaking out through all Europe, like the serbians

1- Nationalism

2- Industrialization

-From 1870 on, industrialization spreads to continental Europe

-Economic competition between nations began-Germany quickly gaining on Britain

-Transport networks, communication, and military advances continued spreading

-Need for markets and raw materials

3- Imperialism

-Nationalism and industrialization tied to colonial power

-Competition for colonies increases tensions-European nations rule Africa and part of

Asia to build empires

4- Militarism-Between 1870 and 1914, European nations

increased their military budget by 400%-Many believed war was coming, but didn’t

know when it would start.-Arms Race developed fast: new weapons

appeared (machine guns, poisonous gases, war airplanes, submarines, new warships…)

Road to war: the pre-war crisisRoad to war: the pre-war crisis

1905 Morocco• - Germany wanted to end French supremacy over

Morocco• - 1906 Algeciras Conference: France & Great Britain

stuck together against German claims

1908: 1st Balkan Crisis• - Austria-Hungary takes control over Bosnia-

Herzegovina• - Russia & Serbia protest but they are not ready for a

war• - Germany backs up Austria-Hungary against Russia

and Serbia

Pre-War CrisisPre-War Crisis

1911: Morocco• Crisis of Agadir: Germany claims Morocco ( under French

control)• France keeps control over Morocco and in exchange

Germany receives french territories in Central Africa• Secret agreement: France would patrol the Mediterranean

Sea while Great Britain would patrol the French coasts in the Atlantic and the North Sea

1912-13: 2nd Balkan Crisis• After several local wars, Serbia enlarges its territories

with Russia’s support• Austria-Hungary is losing supremacy over the Balkan

area.

Germany

• Industrialized• Wanted an

overseas empire (Navy)

• “Encircled” by Russia and France

Austria-Hungary

• Different ethnic groups that wanted their independence (serbs, slavs, czechs, germans…)

• Scared by Russia

Italy

• New country• Wanted an

overseas empire

• Not as powerful or industrialized as the rest

The Triple Alliance

Great Britain

• Industrialized• Overseas Empire• The “splendid

isolation” ends as Germany claims for colonies

France

• Wanted revenge after the Franco-Prussian War

• Claims the Alsacia-Lorena region

• Industrialized

Russia

• Old Regime: most backward country

• Not very industrialized

• Supports Slavs and Serbs living in Austria-Hungary

The Triple Entente

Domino Effect: the war starts

-1) June 28, 1914 – Austrian Archduke Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia

-A young member of a serbian nationalist group, Gavrilo Princip, is the killer

-Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for supporting Bosnian Nationalist for the assassination

Domino Effect

-(2) Austria Hungary issues an ultimatum to Serbia to allow Austrian forces to investigate and stop anti-Austrian activities in Serbia. (Austria knows Serbia will not accept)

•

Domino Effect

(3) Serbia refuses ultimatum, Austria-Hungary declares war

(4) Russia mobilizes army to defend Serbia

(5) Germany declares war on Russia

Domino Effect

• (6) France declares war on Germany

(7) Germany invades Belgium to attack France

(8) Britain declares war on Germany

•

The Domino Effect (overview)The Domino Effect (overview)

Austria-Hungary issues an ultimatum to Serbia (its

forces will enter the country to investigate the murder)

Austria-Hungary issues an ultimatum to Serbia (its

forces will enter the country to investigate the murder)

Serbia refuses the ultimatum

Serbia refuses the ultimatum

Austria-Hungary declares war on

Serbia.

28 July 1914

Austria-Hungary declares war on

Serbia.

28 July 1914

Russia mobilizes its troops to defend Serbia

Russia mobilizes its troops to defend Serbia

Germany (Austria-Hungary ‘s allie) declares

war on Russia

Germany (Austria-Hungary ‘s allie) declares

war on Russia

France (Russia’s allie) declares war on

Germany

France (Russia’s allie) declares war on

Germany

Germany invades Belgium to attack

France

Germany invades Belgium to attack

France

Great Britain (France’s allie) declares war on

Germany

Great Britain (France’s allie) declares war on

Germany

Countries Mobilize for war:Nationalism and Patriotism

But… Don’t we forget a country?

-Yes!: Italy decided that its chances to gain land were better with France, Britain, and Russia than with the Germans, so they changed their side.

-And… how about Spain? Well, Spain remained neutral, and did a good business selling bullets, coal and other items to countries in war. Anyway, it did not make the country prosper

Domino Effect

-Most of the fighting took place in Western Europe, even though the conflict started in the Balkans in Eastern Europe

Results-OVERVIEW

-Stalemate-Trench Warfare-No real movementfor 4 years!

Results- OVERVIEW1914-1918

10,000,00045,000,0001,350,000,000

27,900,00011,250,000414,000,00022,500,000

DeadWounded Pounds of bone and flesh

Pounds of brain matterGallons of bloodYears of life not livedChildren not born