The Road to World War I

Rising Tensions in Europe Beginning of 1900s Peace and harmony in Europe Darker side Developments would propel Europe into War

The Rise of Nationalism Unifying force Extreme pride in one’s country Cause intense competition between nations Seek to overpower each other Rivalries develop Great Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, GB, Russia, Italy, France

Causes of rivalries Competition for materials and markets Territorial disputes Ethnic groups demand independence

Imperialism Europeans compete over Africa and Asia Quest for colonies pushed nations to brink of war Competition leads to sense of rivalry and mistrust

Growth of Militarism Arms race developed in Europe To be great, countries need to have powerful army 1914 – all Great Powers, except GB have large standing army Experts stress importance of quick mobilization Ability to get troops ready for war

Militarism Policy of glorifying military power Keeping army prepared for war Large and strong army made citizens feel patriotic Frightens some

Tangled Alliances Rivalries and mistrust led to creation of alliances Great Powers form military alliances Alliance system designed to keep peace develops Helped cause a war

Bismarck Forges Early Pacts Saw France as biggest threat Thought they wanted revenge for losing Franco-Prussian War Goal was to isolate France

1879 – Dual Alliance Triple Alliance - 1882 1881 – treaty w/ Russia Germany and Austria-Hungary Triple Alliance - 1882 Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy 1881 – treaty w/ Russia

Shifting Alliances Threaten Peace 1890 – Kaiser Wilhelm II forces Bismarck to resign Didn’t want to share power Eager to show power of Germany

Wilhelm does things differently Treaty w/Russia ends in 1890 Russia forms alliance w/France – 1892 and 1894 War w/France or Russia would make Germany enemy of both Could be forced to fight two-front war

Wilhelm decides to challenge GB Began massive shipbuilding program Make German navy equal to GB Moves alarm GB 1904 – forms alliance w/France

Triple Entente 1907 Russia, France, GB Did not bind GB to fight w/France and Russia Ensured GB would not fight against them

Triple Entente vs. Triple Alliance Conflict could draw entire continent into war

Crisis in the Balkans “Powder Keg of Europe” Mountainous peninsula in southeastern Europe Home to assortment of ethnic groups Long history of nationalist uprisings and ethnic conflict

A Restless Region Ottoman Empire in rapid decline New nations formed Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia Nationalism is powerful force Groups want to grow in size

Serbia Large Slavic population Wanted to absorb all Slavs on Balkan peninsula Russia and Austria-Hungary in direct conflict Russia – supports Slavic nationalism Austria – threatened by growth

1908 – Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina Large Slavic populations Outraged Serbian leaders Serbs vow to take B&H from A-H A-H vowed to crush Serbian effort

Shot Rings throughout Europe June 28, 1914 Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand shot in Sarajevo, Bosnia Gavrilo Princip 19 yr old member of the Black Hand Black Hand – secret society committed to ridding Bosnia of Austrians

Austria angered Use murders as excuse to punish Serbia July 23 - Presented ultimatum to Serbia End to anti-Austrian activity Investigation of assassination Serbian leaders agree to most of demands Offered to have international conference settle others

Austria unwilling to negotiate July 28 Austria rejected Serbia’s offer Declares war on Serbia Russia mobilizes troops toward Austrian border Leaders of Europe alarmed Urge Russia and Austria to negotiate