Causes of World War I 1914-1918

PDN Enduring Understanding: World War I was caused by Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism Essential Questions: Why did the European nations form opposing alliances? How did imperialism heighten tensions in Europe?

Objectives Describe how imperialism, nationalism, and militarism pushed Europe closer to war Trace how the alliance system drew nations into the war

Militarism massive military buildup to protect overseas colonies & IMPERIALISTIC powers Did they want to protect the people in the colonies or their own interests? size of armed forces & navies grew sharply especially in Germany Why Germany? Germany had practically no overseas land to protect.

Militarism countries with militaries were ready to use them as soon as any trouble erupted “Trigger-happy” is when ready to fire at the least provocation, regardless of situation or consequences.

Alliances countries allied to protect themselves against MILITARISM from other countries Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Triple Entente united Russia & France (which had already allied) with Great Britain

Alliances alliances should keep war from starting because no country should want to start war with a different country and its allies as well alliance & entente are basically the same thing entente can mean more of a cooperation than an alliance

Imperialism definition: “the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.” (dictionary.com) Germany, France, Russia, & Great Britain = IMPERIAL nations

Imperialism to keep imperial lands safe from conquest by other imperial countries, MILITARISM grew

Nationalism definition: “strong devotion to one’s national group or culture.” (book) began in late 1800s Germany & Italy were new fds new countries & power struggles

Nationalism Balkan Peninsula SE Europe (ex: Serbia) areas w/ certain ethnic groups might want freedom from an empire or bigger country Serbs had Serbia, but many lived outside borders  Serbia wanted to expand borders Austria-Hungary wouldn’t let Serbia expand