World War I An Introduction
Europe in years of relative PEACE Many felt progress was made and war was no longer necessary Large industrialized countries competing economically
World War I Summary When: Primary countries involved: –Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia, USA, Italy –Central Powers: Germany, Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary End Result: –9.0 million people died –23 million injured –Europe economically devastated –Peace treaty left Europe politically unstable
M.A.I.N. Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism 4 Primary Causes of World War I
MILITARISM In the 1890’s a European “arms race” developed Countries felt they needed large standing armies –increased patriotism and prestige of a country What is Ironic about this statement? “The entire able-bodied population are preparing to massacre one another; though no one, it is true, wants to attack, and everybody protest his love of peace” …It only requires some unforeseen incident….to blow all of Europe sky-high” Frederic Passy 1895
ALLIANCES Growing rivalries had led to many alliances Irony: The alliance system in Europe was designed to “keep the peace”
IMPERIALISM Europe competes for colonies in Africa & Asia Produced tension between European powers –especially between Germany & France
NATIONALISM People become very Loyal to their Country Perhaps “loyal to a fault” citizens
Otto von Bismarck Unified Germany through War ( ) Defeated France in Franco-Prussian War (1870) Wanted peace but Felt France wanted “revenge” Attempted to isolate France through alliances German Chancellor “As long as it is without allies…France poses no danger to us” Bismarck 1887
Bismarck forms Triple Alliance 1882 Included: Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Bismarck later forms an alliance with Russia Designed to “protect” Germany from France
Journal #1 Label this Journal #1 in your notebook Explain why Europe was relatively unstable in the years before World War I and what Otto von Bismarck feared.