Causes of World War I United States History

4 Causes Militarism Alliance System Imperialism Nationalism MAIN

Militarism Most of the countries involved in WWI began to strengthen their arsenals. The build up of weaponry gives countries more machinery and technology in case they are threatened. New weapons are introduced during this period. (airplanes, machine guns, poisonous gases, tanks, grenades etc..) All countries including the United States began to really strengthen their military and competition began to take hold.

Alliance System Having existing alliances is a very scaring thing before a war breaks out. Triple Alliance (Central Powers) – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire Triple Entente (Allied Powers) – Great Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Serbia United States will enter the war with the Allied Powers in 1917.

Imperialism Quest for Africa – 50 of the 52 nations in the continent of Africa were overrun Major players that include: Great Britain, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Italy exploited and extracted valuable resources out of the African countries. This attitude and quest by these countries created an atmosphere of hostility between the European conquerors. Many wars were fought for control of these countries. (The Boer War 1899-1902, The Battle for Fashoda)

Nationalism With the acquisition of new lands, and new resources, the people begin to take pride in their country. This overwhelming feeling of pride in one’s own country is called nationalism or patriotism. Sometimes this causes country’s to prematurely act out of pride rather than smarts.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Lovely Wife Sophia

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Gavrilo Princip Killed Franz Ferdinand and his wife Member of Serbian nationalist group: The Black Hand Upset at Austria -Hungary for colonizing Serbia

The Spark the Ignited the Fuse Militarism spark! Alliance System Imperialism Nationalism MURDER OF ARCHDUKE FERDINAND AND HIS WIFE SOPHIA When Austrian King Archduke Ferdinand was killed by a Serbian terrorist organization, WWI could not be avoided! World War I Begins 1914-1918