WWIWWI

Causes of WWICauses of WWI

MANIAMANIA MilitarismMilitarism AlliancesAlliances NationalismNationalism ImperialismImperialism AssassinationAssassination

*Militarism**Militarism*

When a nation’s armed forces When a nation’s armed forces come to dominate a country’s come to dominate a country’s

national policy; it is also a national policy; it is also a glorification of the military and glorification of the military and

war itselfwar itself

Arms RaceArms Race

After 1871, the war atmosphere engendered by After 1871, the war atmosphere engendered by the secret alliances led to an arms race among the secret alliances led to an arms race among the powers. The race was particularly serious the powers. The race was particularly serious between 1900 and 1914, as the international between 1900 and 1914, as the international situation became much worse than before. situation became much worse than before. There was a significant rise in the army and There was a significant rise in the army and naval estimates of the European powers in naval estimates of the European powers in these years.these years.

Military Build-UpMilitary Build-Up

Conscription was adopted in most European Conscription was adopted in most European countries (except Britain) since 1870countries (except Britain) since 1870

Relations among countries began to Relations among countries began to deteriorate, so countries like Germany, France, deteriorate, so countries like Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and Great Britain began Russia, Italy, and Great Britain began expanding their defenseexpanding their defense

DefenseDefense

Germany – increased Germany – increased armed forces by armed forces by 170,000 men170,000 men

Germany doubles their Germany doubles their navy in 1900navy in 1900

Germany rivals naval Germany rivals naval supremacy of Great supremacy of Great BritainBritain

Britain mobilizes troops Britain mobilizes troops for movement and home for movement and home defensedefense

Russia increases Russia increases military term from 3 – 3 military term from 3 – 3 ½ years½ years

*Alliances**Alliances*

Signed treaties in which each Signed treaties in which each nation involved pledges to nation involved pledges to

defend one another if attacked defend one another if attacked by an aggressorby an aggressor

Triple Entente & the AlliesTriple Entente & the Allies

Britain, France, and Russia make up the TEBritain, France, and Russia make up the TE Other allied powers include the US, Belgium, Other allied powers include the US, Belgium,

and later Italyand later Italy Smaller countries also sided with the Allied Smaller countries also sided with the Allied

Powers: Powers: Serbia, Romania, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, PortugalMontenegro, Greece, Portugal

I thought Italy was bad…I thought Italy was bad…

Pre-WWI/ beginning of WWI, Italy sided with Pre-WWI/ beginning of WWI, Italy sided with Austria-Hungary and Germany in the Triple Austria-Hungary and Germany in the Triple AllianceAlliance

When WWI officially broke out in 1914, Italy When WWI officially broke out in 1914, Italy sided with no one, but decided to hold out and sided with no one, but decided to hold out and see how the war progressedsee how the war progressed

Eventually, Italy realized the allied powers Eventually, Italy realized the allied powers were dominating, so Italy entered WWI on the were dominating, so Italy entered WWI on the side of the alliesside of the allies

Central Powers Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman EmpireEmpire

Other European countries involved with the Other European countries involved with the Central Powers include; Bulgaria and TurkeyCentral Powers include; Bulgaria and Turkey

*Nationalism**Nationalism*

Pride and patriotism in one’s Pride and patriotism in one’s nation; in terms of WWI, nation; in terms of WWI,

nationalism became aggressive nationalism became aggressive and subsequently a major cause of and subsequently a major cause of

international tensioninternational tension

European NationalismEuropean Nationalism

There were two kinds of nationalism in 19th There were two kinds of nationalism in 19th Century Europe: Century Europe: (i) the desire of peoples for independence - (i) the desire of peoples for independence -

It led to a series of national struggles for independence It led to a series of national struggles for independence among the Balkan peoples. Other powers got involved among the Balkan peoples. Other powers got involved and caused much instability.and caused much instability.

(ii) the desire of independent nations for (ii) the desire of independent nations for dominance and prestige - dominance and prestige -

As the powers try to dominate each other in Europe, As the powers try to dominate each other in Europe, their rivalries may be regarded as one of the causes of their rivalries may be regarded as one of the causes of the First World War.the First World War.

*Imperialism**Imperialism*

Domination by one country of the Domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region; due to the another country or region; due to the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s, Industrial Revolution of the 1800s, some European nations had a large some European nations had a large

portion of the world under their portion of the world under their controlcontrol

The BalkansThe Balkans

Russia vied with Austria-Hungary and the Russia vied with Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire for control over the BalkansOttoman Empire for control over the Balkans

*Assassination**Assassination*

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot by a Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot by a Serbian member of the Black Hand who Serbian member of the Black Hand who supported Balkan independencesupported Balkan independence

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

Austria- Hungary ruled over a large part of the Austria- Hungary ruled over a large part of the Balkans where many ethnic groups struggled Balkans where many ethnic groups struggled for independence. for independence.

Archduke Franz FerdinandArchduke Franz Ferdinand

Declaring WarDeclaring War

Russia comes to the aid of Serbia- in hopes of gaining Russia comes to the aid of Serbia- in hopes of gaining influence in the Balkansinfluence in the Balkans

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia in July 1914Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia in July 1914 Germany declared war on Russia and France a few Germany declared war on Russia and France a few

days laterdays later To avoid the strong defense on the Franco-German To avoid the strong defense on the Franco-German

border, Germany sends troops through Belgium border, Germany sends troops through Belgium which is neutralwhich is neutral Because of this Britain declares war on GermanyBecause of this Britain declares war on Germany