Militarism Alliances Nationalism Imperialism Assassination (the spark) of Franz Ferdinand
policy of building up strong military forces to prepare for war How do you know a country is preparing for war?
Country Spending Military Size Britain 117% 430,000 France 92% 970,000 Russia 19% 1,500,000 Germany 158% 760,000 Austria-Hungary 160% 480,000
Alliances- agreements between nations to aid and protect one another Why do countries form alliances?
Central Powers o Germany o Austria-Hungary o Ottoman Empire (Turkey and some areas of present-day Middle East) Allied Powers o Britain o France o Russia o Italy (joined 1915) o United States (eventually in 1917)
pride in or devotion to one’s country Intense pride of one’s homeland, placing it above all other countries More than just patriotism Nationalism led to an inability to compromise Why do you think this was the case?
It was also a big deal in the immediate cause of World War I, since the Serbians wanted independence, and not to be under Austria- Hungary’s control 1. Area had been controlled by Austria-Hungary and Ottomans 2. Different ethnic groups (Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, Slovenes) fighting for control
3. Serbs get independence first and wanted to unite the rest under a common rule. They do NOT want to be under Austria-Hungary’s rule 4. Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia, which makes Serbs angry because they wanted that area in their empire 5. The whole area is unhappy!
when one country takes over another country economically and politically – Social Darwinism- “survival of the fittest,” “eat or be eaten” This is causing countries to try to exert control and influence around the world How does Social Darwinism explain imperialism??
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria- Hungary and his wife, Sophie, are killed on June 28, 1914 Who did it? Why? A Serbian Terrorist group (the Black Hand) to get back at Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the throne
The dominos had been set up, now they all fall Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia (July 28) Russia starts mobilizing army, including bringing troops to Germany border Germany gets mad, declares war on Russia (August 1)
Because of alliance system, Germany declares war on France (August 3) Germany gets ready to invade France, but to do that it must go through Belgium In treaties already signed, Great Britain had guaranteed Belgium would remain neutral so Great Britain declares war on Germany
Central Powers o Germany o Austria-Hungary o Ottoman Empire (Turkey and some areas of present-day Middle East) Allied Powers o Great Britain o France o Russia o Italy (joined 1915) o United States (eventually in 1917)