Europe had been at peace for almost 30 years. *Nationalism spread - created competition between countries

Nations competing against each other: 1. Germany 2. Austria-Hungary 3. Great Britain 4. Russia 5. Italy 6. France

Reasons for the Rivalry

1. Economic competition - Great Britain lead the Industrial Revolution, however, Germany competed.

2. Territorial disputes - France still bitter about its loss in the Franco-Prussian War

3. Austria-Hungary and Russia both tried to dominate the Balkans *Argument between Serbs, Bulgarians, and Romanians

4. Imperialism

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures 5. Growth of militarism - the policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war 1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures France 10% Britain 13% Russia 39% Germany 73%

Alliance system-- An alliance is an agreement made between two or more countries to give each other help if it is needed. These were important because they meant that some countries had no option but to declare war if one of their allies declared war first. Two major alliance system dominated Europe in 1914.

Triple Alliance Germany Austria-Hungary Italy

Triple Entente Great Britain France Russia

THE WORLD JUST NEEDED A SPARK That spark comes from the Balkans * "powder keg" of Europe *

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sofia (heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne) by Gavrilo Princip a Serbian nationalist on June 14, 1914, in Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary

Princip was in the terrorist organization the Black Hands Princip was in the terrorist organization the Black Hands. *Because the assassin was Serbian ,Kaiser Wilhelm II urged Austria to fight

*On July 23, Austria presented Serbia with an ultimatum *July 28, 1914 Austria declares war against Serbia. The two enemies pull their allies into the war until most of the continent of Europe was involved.

Victor Emmanuel II [It] The Major Players: 1914-17 Allied Powers: Central Powers: Nicholas II [Rus] Wilhelm II [Ger] George V [Br] Victor Emmanuel II [It] Enver Pasha [Turkey] Pres. Poincare [Fr] Franz Josef [A-H]

The Allies and the Central Powers believed the war would be over by Christmas.