The Road to World War I

Colonial Rivalries: Africa in 1914

Colonial Rivalries: Asia in 1914

The British Empire in 1914 The conquering of Asia and Africa by the European powers, led to a global economy finally being established. At the same time, the competition for lands abroad also heightened existing rivalries between the European states.

The Balkans in 1878 The disintegration of the Ottoman Empire led to problems in the Balkans. People in the Balkans wanted independence as the Ottoman Empire weakened. The European powers, fearful of each other’s designs on its territories, kept the Ottoman Empire alive. The rivalry between Russia and the A-H empire complicated the situation. Austria viewed the Balkans as fertile ground for expansion, for Russia, the Balkans provided the quickest over land route to the Mediterranean and Constantinople. 1876- Serbia and Montenegro declared war on the Ottomans, were defeated but Russia defeated the Ottomans and created the Treaty of San Stefano, which was later undone by Bismarck at the Congress of Berlin.

The Congress of Berlin 1878 In an effort to prevent a major war between A-H and the Russians, Bismarck offered to broker peace. The Congress of Berlin replaced the Treaty of San Stefano, which had given Serbia, Montenegro and Rumania independence and given autonomy to a large Bulgaria, under Russian domination. The new treaty confirmed the independence granted, the size of Bulgaria was reduced and the Turks could have autonomy over Macedonia. As compensation for Russian gains, Austria received the right to occupy the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the British could occupy Cyprus. Bismarck hoped to create and recognize Russian predominance in the eastern Balkans and Austrian control in the western Balkans, but in reality it strengthened Austrian power by reducing the gains Russia had made under the previous treaty.

Tensions & Conflicts: 1873-1914 Three Emperors’ League (1873)  Ger, A-H, Rus. (made by Bismarck fearing French revenge for Alsace and Lorraine)- failed to work well because of A-H and Russian rivalry in the Balkans. Dual Alliance (1879)  Ger. & A-H- incase either was ever attacked by Russia (secret alliance) Triple Alliance (1882) Ger, A-H, It.- secret defensive alliance against France. Reinsurance Treaty (1887)  restore relations between Ger. & Rus. After the Three Emperor’s League failed- both would stay neutral unless Russia attacked Austria or Germany, France.- was not renewed after Bismarck was dismissed in 1890 Franco-Russian Alliance (1894)- secret treaty British-Japanese Alliance (1902)- directed against Russia The Entente Cordiale (1904)  Br. & Fr.- Fr. Saw G as a greater threat and recognized British dominance in Egypt, while the British agreed to support France in Morocco.

Tensions & Conflicts: 1873-1914 First Moroccan Crisis (1905)- G provoked a crisis in French Morocco by supporting their independence. The other European powers sided with France. Russo-Japanese War (1905)- Russia loses The Anglo-Russian Convention (1907)  recognized a Russian SOI over Persia and a British SOI in the south, Russia withdrew from Afghanistan Triple Entente (1907)  Br, Fr, Rus- faces Triple Alliance of Italy, Germany and Austria. The Bosnian Crisis of 1908- Austria went back on an agreement with Russia, angering them and the Serbs. Second Moroccan Crisis (1911)- Germany protested France’s protectorate here again, and moved ships into the area, causing the French and British to mobilize ships. The First Balkan War (1912)-Albania was created The Second Balkan War (1913)- continued to frustrate Russia, who supported Serbia and Austria backed by Germany.

The Balkan Wars: 1912-1913

Europe in 1914

The Balkans in 1914

The Sarajevo Crisis June 28, 1914, the final crisis in the Balkans began in Sarajevo, the capital of the Austrian province of Bosnia. A south Slav nationalist member of the Black Hand, Gavril Princip, assassinated the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne and his wife. The Serbian government wasn’t involved, but they knew about the plot and made no move to stop it or to warn the Austrians.

Although the assassination of the Arch Duke precipitates the confrontation between Austria and Serbia that led to WW1, war was not inevitable. Previous assassinations of leaders had not led to war, there were other factors that propelled Europe towards war. NATIONALISM- competition between nation states, rivalries over IMPERIALISM, and the SECRET ALLIANCES between powers all led to the out break of war. INTERNAL DISSENT- in the European nations, as ethnic groups wanted their own nations, socialist labor movements and class division led to some European powers jumping into foreign wars, in hopes it would stifle internal dissent at home. MILITARISM- conscription had become a regular practice, European military machines had doubled in size. Military leaders grew in influence.