Causes of WWI

Long 19th Century 1789-1914 a meaningful period Europeans considering themselves the principal society, with the promise of material prosperity Also the potential for disaster Best to consider the causes as a ‘powder keg’ (long-term) ignited by a spark (immediate)

Staggering Empires Britain attempting to maintain its imperial superiority France attempting to hold steady after defeat by Germany in the Franco-Prussian War 1870-71 Germany rising after recent unification in 1871 Ottoman empire declining Austro-Hungarian empire on the decline, threatened by Slavic nationalism Italy modernizing, but not yet a world power Russian empire stagnant, humiliated after failures of the Russo-Japanese Wars 1895 and 1905

British Empire - 1914

France

Germany

Ottoman Empire

Austria-Hungary and Italy

Nationalism A general population boom in Europe throughout the later 19th and early 20th centuries Encouraged patriotism, prosperous outlooks German nationalism Early 1800s, Germany had been a series of provinces 1862-71, Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of the North German Confederation, united all states under the German Empire New balance of power in Europe, now the most powerful industrial and military state

Nationalism French Nationalism Balkan Nationalism Russian Nationalism Revanche or revenge for the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 Balkan Nationalism After being freed from Ottoman control, Slavic states such as Serbia sought autonomy Challenged by the imperialism of the surrounding nations – Austria-Hungary and Italy Russian Nationalism Pan-Slavic ties with the Balkans, will seek to defend their autonomy later on

Militarism Trend toward larger militaries, industrial capacity and empire Increased in two ways Technical sense – warships, troops and expenditure Socially – the military’s favorability in the eyes of the population, rising warlike attitudes Would urge nations to use these new forces, created suspicion, a general arms race Conscription in all nations other than Britain

Militarism The result of a rising Germany was their challenge to British naval superiority Anglo-Germany Naval Race 1906, Britain launched the revolutionary Dreadnought, making all other ships obsolete Only ignited further passion in Germany Increase naval expenditure by 197% from 1900 to 1914

Militarism With these weapons and manpower available, each nation developed war plans to implement them Two important examples German Schlieffen Plan Knock out France quickly, transfer the bulk of armies east to face the Russians Thought Russians were backwards technologically, would take six weeks to prepare Would attack France through Belgium to avoid strong French fortresses

Schlieffen Plan

Militarism French Plan XVII Mass of troops on the eastern border, hoping to regain Alsace and Lorraine Based on élan vitale, the preference of attack at the expense of prudent defense The first was based on speed, the second on impatience – both of these would be important to the quick fashion in which nations mobilized Also recall that such military buildup requires industrialization, which requires increased resources, which then requires increased labor and markets

Plan XVII

Imperialism Imperial tension dangerously high in the late 1800s Largely due to the ‘scramble for Africa’, only solved for a short time at the Berlin Conference of 1885 German Weltpolitik or world policy envisioned by the new Kaiser, Wilhelm II, demanding that his nation get a ‘place in the sun’

Scramble for Africa

Imperialism Morroccan Crises Wilhelm II declared that the status of French-controlled Morocco should be re-evaluated Algeciras Conference upheld French authority in 1905; happened again in the Agadir Crisis of 1911 Britain supported France both times Created a feeling of isolation and fear in Wilhelm II

Imperialism Balkan Crises Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia in 1908 Serbia eager to be the leading Balkan nation First Balkan War 1911 Serbia forms the Balkan League (Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece) and went to war with the Ottomans, securing Albania and Macedonia Second Balkan War 1913 International intervention, led by Austria-Hungary, defeated Serbia Recap: tension between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, with Russia backing up the latter

Alliances Germany seeking to isolate France and prevent revanche began the system Three Emperors’ League 1873 – Germany, A-H and Russia Dual Alliance 1879 – Germany and A-H Triple Alliance 1882 – Germany, A-H and Italy Franco-Russian Alliance 1894 – France and Russia Entente Cordiale 1904 – Britain and France Triple Entente 1907 – Britain, France and Russia *Treaty of London 1839 – Britain and Belgium

Assassination The spark that triggered the outbreak Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo (Bosnia) on June 28, 1914 Heir to the throne Killed by Serbian terrorist, Gavril Princip, member of the Black Hand

Assassination Austria-Hungary decided to use the event as an excuse to go to war with Serbia Princip had been protesting occupation of Bosnia Relations had become strained Strong military allies involved Kaiser Wilhelm II gives a blank cheque to Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary sends an ultimatum to Serbia Serbia would not allow for investigation into the Black Hand War declared by Austria-Hungary on Serbia on July 28

Assassination Russia began its mobilization on July 29 Austria-Hungary does the same on July 30 Germany responds on July 31, ordering Russia to stop and asking what France will do Russia does not, and so on August 1 Germany declares war on Russia August 3, Germany declares war on France On the same day the Schlieffen Plan begins August 4, Britain declares war on Germany, citing the 1839 Treaty of London and the violation of Belgian neutrality