World War I

Causes of WWI – MANIA! Militarism - policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war Alliances – agreements between nations to provide aid and protect on another Nationalism – extreme pride in one’s country Imperialism – when one country takes over another country economically and politically. Assassination – of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand

1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures Militarism 1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures France 10% Britain 13% Russia 39% Germany 73%

Alliances Triple Alliance Triple Entente

Nationalism At the settlement of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the principle of nationalism was ignored in favor of preserving the peace. Germany and Italy were left as divided states, but strong nationalist movements and revolutions led to the unification of Italy in 1861 and that of Germany in 1871. Another result was that France lost Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, and regaining it was a major goal of the French. Nationalism posed a problem for Austria-Hungary and the Balkans, areas comprised of many conflicting national groups.

Imperialism Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa. Although Britain and France resolved their differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa. In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia.

European Conquest of Africa

The “Spark”

Assassination Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28th, 1914.

Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in Bosnia by a Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand who believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia.

Domino Effect Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia. Germany pledged their support for Austria -Hungary. Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

Domino Effect Germany declares war on Russia. France pledges their support for Russia. Germany declares war on France. Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany.

Allied Powers Central Powers World War I

The Schlieffen Plan Developed by Alfred von Schlieffen to avoid a two front war Counted on defeating France quickly and then turning efforts to Russia Require German armies to march through Belgium and attack behind French lines European powers had signed a treaty guaranteeing Belgium’s neutrality Britain was outraged and declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914

Schlieffen Plan Failure Belgium put up more of a fight than the Germans expected French & British were able to hold back the German troops at the Marne River in Sept. 1914 Both side dug trenches and Fought in a long, deadly, stalemate Battle lines remained unchanged for nearly 4 years

Why was WWI a Stalemate? What’s a stalemate? Neither side can make a move to win. Machine gun. How did this change war? How was it fought before? Trench Warfare = “solution”. Millions die without gaining ground.

What new weapons were used in WWI? Machine gun Poison gas Submarine Airplane Tank Why these weapons? Why now? INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION!!

What were the results? Germany surrendered. Allies impose Treaty of Versailles. Declares Germany guilty for war. Germany must pay reparations to Allies. This sets the stage for WWII! League of Nations formed to try to prevent war in the future.

Casualties? Total troops mobilized by all countries in WW1 65,038,810 Total troops dead from all countries in WW1 8,556,315 Total troops wounded from all countries in WW1 21,219,452 Total missing or POWs 7,750,945