World War I

Europe on the Brink of War Rising tensions in Europe, 1914 Tensions result of four factors Militarism (Arms Race) Entangled Alliances Imperialism (Competition for Colonies) Nationalism

Europe on the Brink of War Militarism Massive military buildup in European countries, late 1800s and early 1900s Wanted to protect overseas colonies from other nations Growing power of armed forces left all sides ready to act at first sign of trouble Minor disagreements had potential to turn to armed conflict

Europe on the Brink of War Alliances Nations formed partnerships to protect against opposing forces Triple Alliance united Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Great Britain joined France and Russia in the Triple Entente Believed no one nation would attack another because allies would join the fight

Europe on the Brink of War Imperialism Late 1800s and early 1900s saw quest to build empires Created rivalry, ill will among European nations Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain vied to become great imperial nations Each did no want others to gain power

Europe on the Brink of War Nationalism Strong devotion to one’s national group or culture, increased in late 1800s Led to formation of new countries, struggles for power Most visible in Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe Home to many ethnic groups trying to break free from Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires

Europe on the Brink of War Some of the strongest nationalist tensions in the Balkans were in Serbia, an independent nation Throughout the 1800s the Serbian people had fought a war against the Ottoman Empire for Serbian independence – something they would achieve in stages Serbian leaders wanted to expand the borders of Serbia even further, uniting all the Serbian people into a “greater Serbia” – many ethnic Serbs remained in the borders of other lands Austria-Hungary, a powerful empire to the north, opposed expansion Feared growth of Serbia might encourage ethnic groups in their empire to rebel Tensions continued to rise in the early 1900s

The Shot Heard Round the World In the midst of the tensions with Serbia, archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary decided to visit the Bosnian city of Sarajevo 28 June, 1914 - 19-year-old university student Gavrilo Princip assassinated the archduke and his pregnant wife – he was Serbian by ethnicity but a citizen of Austria-Hungary During his arrest and interrogation he implicated a number of members of the Serbian military Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia Russia, seeing itself as the protector of the Slavic people, prepared to support Serbia Germany, ally of Austria-Hungary, saw Russia as a threat and prepared to support Austria-Hungary Germany declared war on Russia – who in turn was allied with France

War Breaks Out Fighting Begins Germany faced war on two fronts: Russia to the east, France to the west Decided to strike France quickly then move to face the larger but slower Russia Began with a quick strike through neutral Belgium Attack on neutral country led Great Britain to declare war on Germany Italy, the last member of the Triple Alliance, declined to join its allies at the start of the war stating that the agreement had been meant as a defensive alliance May 1915 – Italy joined the war against Germany and Austria-Hungary

The Schlieffen Plan Fearing a war on two fronts, the Germans adopted the Schlieffen plan It called for a lightening fast sweep through Belgium and on to France, encircling Paris The aim was to knock France out of the war quickly before Russia could mobilise its forces It failed for two reasons: Britain entered the war after Germany invaded Belgium Russia mobilised far quicker than expected

Fighting in 1914 Germany’s plan Russia enters fighting Early battles Germany wanted to quickly defeat France, move east to fight Russia Great Britain’s declaration of war on Germany doomed its plan The Great War became a bloody stalemate Early battles Battle of the Frontiers pitted Germany troops against both French and British Both sides suffered heavy losses – Germany victorious Russia enters fighting Russia attacked German territory from the east Russians defeated in Battle of Tannenberg Germany distracted from France, Allies turned on German invaders

Fighting in 1914 Trench warfare begins Allied troops drove Germans back, Battle of the Marne, September 1914 Retreating Germans dug a series of trenches along Aisne River Waited in trenches for Allied attack Trenches elaborately contrasted, cleverly concealed Allies dug trenches of their own Major battles for months with little change in positions Deadlocked region become known as the Western Front