Marching Toward War
Long-Range Causes of WWI Nationalism & Imperialism Each nation felt themselves superior to other nations This attitude created a desire to rule lands beyond their borders Example: Balkans (Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary Example: Morocco, North Africa (Germany & France) Example: Korea (Russia, Japan)
Aggressive Nationalism
Africa in 1914
Colonial Rivalries: Asia in 1914
Long-Range Causes of WWI Pan-Slavism was a desire for Russia to protect Slavic people in Europe Serbia is a Slavic nation Pan-Germanism was a desire for Germany to protect German-speaking people in Europe. Austria-Hungary was a German speaking nation
Pan-Slavism: The Balkans, 1914 The “Powder Keg” of Europe
Long-Range Causes of WWI Militarism caused European countries to build up their armies and navies. created fear and distrust British: best & biggest navy Germany suspicious of Russia’s plan to modernize its army
Militarism (Arms Race) 1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Ger., A-H, It., Fr., Br., Rus.] in millions of £s. 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1914 94 130 154 268 289 398 1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures France 10% Britain 13% Russia 39% Germany 73%
Long-Range Causes of WWI Entangling Alliances Nations entered into agreements to help their allies in the event of war 1914: Two major alliances 1. Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy, Ottoman Empire 2. Triple Entente – Britain, France, Russia (later on included Japan and many other nations)
The Alliance System Triple Entente: Triple Alliance:
Two Armed Camps! Allied Powers: Central Powers:
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]
Europe in 1914
3. Economic & Imperial Rivalries
The “Spark”
Immediate Cause of WWI June 28th, 1914 Archduke of A-H Franz Ferdinand & wife visit Bosnian capital Sarajevo. Bosnians unhappy living under rule of Austria-Hungary Couple shot by 19 yr. old Serbian nationalist (Gavrilo Princip) Princip was a member of the Black Hand – a secret society determined to free Bosnia of A-H rule.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand & His Family
The Assassination: Sarajevo
The Assassin: Gavrilo Princip
Who’s To Blame?
Resources Susan Pojer – Horace Greeley HS, NY Darrell Wells – Mt. Pleasant High School