Mr. Meester World History World War I: The Causes Mr. Meester World History
Vocabulary Balance of Powers Triple Alliance Triple Entente Militarism/Arms Race Pan-Slavism Alsace-Lorraine Archduke Ferdinand The Black Hand
The Balance of Power Germany was a new power in Europe England and France both made treaties with Russia to try stay ahead of Germany Germany made treaties with Italy and Austria-Hungary These alliances were created in hope that no one would dare attack No one could be sure of winning The power was balanced
Alliance System Two large alliances emerged The Triple Alliance Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy The Triple Entente France, England, & Russia These 2 alliances divided up most of countries in Europe. The result was “Two Armed Camps”
Balance of Powers
Militarism & the Arms Race Both alliances use militarism to glorify and build up their armed forces. An arms race begins creating new weapons Machine guns, mustard gas, tanks, airplanes, submarines, and zeppelins. Britain & Germany begin a competition to build the biggest navy. Competition causes tensions to rise.
Nationalism creates a “Powder Keg” Aggressive Nationalism at home and overseas causes tension to skyrocket Imperial competition for colonies goes up nearly causing war Russia sponsor's Pan-Slavism Vows to protect all Slavic peoples around the world Austria-Hungary & Ottoman Empires feel threatened by nationalist revolts France wanted Alsace-Lorraine back from Germany
The Powder Keg Explodes Serbia, a small Slavic country, wanted Austria-Hungary to grant Bosnia, another Slavic area, its independence. The Archduke Ferdinand was visiting Bosnia trying to improve relations He’s assassinated by the “Black Hand” Serbian Terrorists Austria-Hungary made ridiculous demands that Serbia couldn’t agree to. Serbia declined & Austria declared war.
The Domino Effect Serbia is attacked by Austria-Hungary Russia defends Serbia and declares war Germany supports its ally, declares war on Russia and Serbia for supporting terrorism France (allied to Russia) declares war on Germany Wants to regain lost territory Germany invades Belgium (Neutral Nation) to get to France England (allied to France & Russia) declares war because they are outraged by German aggression
Causes & Results Main Causes Alliance System & the Balance of Power Aggressive Nationalism Militarism & the Arms Race The “Flashpoint” (event that starts the war) Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand The Result Almost all the nations in Europe & their colonies around the war are sucked into war