Causes of World War One A combination of events and circumstances created the possibility of war in Europe by 1914

This cartoon - 'A Chain of Friendship' - appeared in the American newspaper the Brooklyn Eagle in July 1914.   The caption read: “If Austria attacks Serbia, Russia will fall upon Austria, Germany upon Russia, and France and England upon Germany.”

1. The Arms Race machine guns, tanks, airplanes, submarines, dreadnoughts the industrial revolution had produced new mechanical weapons gas also introduced

2. M.A.I.N Militarism Alliances belief in the use of military force (armies, navies etc.) to solve disputes meant little time given to diplomatic solutions; quickly resort to war Alliances formal commitments by countries/empires to help each other if attacked sometimes secret agreements

2. M.A.I.N cont’d Imperialism Nationalism European countries had taken control of other territory around the world empires competed for territory, trade needed to dominate the seas to maintain links to colonies Nationalism sense of pride, prestige in your own nation most countries not ‘multi-cultural’ ‘foreigners’ viewed with suspicion

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Ferdinand – Prince of Austria-Hungary Assassinated June 28, 1914 by Serbian nationalist group ‘Black Hand’

Europe 1914

Summary These factors were like loading a gun. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was like pulling the trigger, setting events in motion. Austria-Hungary Declares war on Serbia June 28, 1914.

4 August: Britain was obliged (by the Treaty of Washington, 1839) to help Belgium in the event of an invasion.   Therefore, Britain sent Germany an ultimatum demanding, by midnight, a German promise to withdraw from Belgium.   The Germans were amazed: 'For a scrap of paper, Great Britain is going to make war?' asked Bethmann-Hollweg. That night, crowds gathered in Parliament Square in London.   As Big Ben struck 11 pm (midnight in Berlin) they sang God Save the King, and then ran home crying: 'War! War! War!'   As Grey watched the crowds leave, he commented: 'The lights are going out all over Europe: we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime'.

All over Europe, people greeted war with tremendous joy and enthusiasm All over Europe, people greeted war with tremendous joy and enthusiasm.   'These people are very anxious to send our soldiers to face death', commented Lloyd George to the Prime Minister as they walked to the House of Commons