World War I: An Introduction A Local Conflict Goes Global

The Cousins War Wilhelm II George V Nicholas II

Underlying Causes M.A.N.I.A. Militarism Alliances Nationalism Imperialism Anarchy

Militarism

Militarism Militarism: The glorification of war & the military The development of new weapons The establishment of large reserve armies

Militarism Mobilization: The organization of resources for combat Generally triggers other nations to do the same

Militarism Example: During the early 1900s Kaiser Wilhelm II expanded the German Navy Wanted Germany to be equal to Great Britain in terms of naval strength

Militarism Great Britain felt threatened as a result of Germany’s naval buildup Solution? Expanded the British Navy Developed a new battleship; The Dreadnought

Alliances

Alliances Defense Agreement Among Nations

Alliances Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary Allied in an attempt to isolate France Triple Entente: France, Great Britain, Russia

Nationalism

Nationalism French Nationalism: French nationalists sought revenge against Germany after their loss of Alsace-Lorraine in the Franco-Prussian War (1870) Alsace-Lorraine – French territory lost after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870

Nationalism Pan Slavism: A large-scale movement to unify all Slavic people under one empire The Serbs wanted to lead Slavic unification; supported by Russia

Nationalism German Nationalism: Germany wanted to prove its strength in comparison to the other great powers of Europe

Imperialism

Imperialism Imperialism: The domination of one nation by another Germany & France came close to fighting a war over the control of Morocco

Imperialism Germany wanted to create a Berlin to Baghdad Railway Caused resentment in Britain Feared interference with India & reduced traffic thru the Suez Canal

Anarchy

Anarchy At this time the nations of Europe began to pursue policies without consulting their neighbors Problem? If a crisis arose there was no international organization to monitor it…

World war i: The Beginnings

Immediate Causes Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip Princip was a member of the Serbian nationalist group Black Hand

Why Assassination? Ferdinand planned to give the Slavs of Bosnia-Herzegovina an equal voice in the Austro- Hungarian government This threatened the movement for a separate Slavic state

What Next? Austria-Hungary held the Serbian government responsible for the assassination of Ferdinand Austria-Hungary sought backup from Germany in the event of war

What Next? Germany issued a Blank Check to Austria-Hungary William II agreed to support any actions that Austria-Hungary might take against Serbia

Tensions Build!! The Ultimatum: Austria-Hungary demanded entrance into Serbia Why? Suppress subversive organizations Conduct an investigation

Tensions Build!! Austria-Hungary gave Serbia 48 hours to agree to the ultimatum Serbia REFUSED to agree July 28, 1914: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia!

Others Get Involved Russia, an ally of Serbia, mobilized troops along the borders of Germany & Austria- Hungary Germany warned Russia to stop Russia refused!

Others Get Involved Germany issued an ultimatum to France Gave France 18 hours to decide whether or not it would support Russia France gave an inconclusive answer!

Declarations of War 08/01/1914: Germany declared war on Russia 08/03/1914: Germany declared war on France

Declarations of War Great Britain hoped to remain neutral DID NOT want to become involved in a war HOWEVER…

The Belgium Issue Germany demanded passage across Belgium in order to fight France Part of Germany’s Schlieffen Plan

The Belgium Issue In 1839 Britain, Russia, France & Germany signed a treaty that guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality Due to the fact that Belgium was a neutral nation, Great Britain protested Germany’s demand

The Belgium Issue Despite Belgium’s neutrality, Germany invaded on August 14, 1914 Great Britain demanded that Germany immediately withdraw from Belgium

The Belgium Issue Germany responded by referring to the treaty as nothing more than a scrap of paper As a result Great Britain declared war on Germany

World War I: Opposing Sides

Opposing Sides The Triple Entente became the Allied Powers The Triple Alliance became the Central Powers

Allied powers

Allied powers Major Players: France, Great Britain, Russia Italy (1915) Japan (1915) United States (1917) 28 other countries

Allied powers Strengths: More soldiers More money Greater industrial potential Great Britain – best navy France – excellent army

Allied powers Weaknesses: Russia was WEAK & POOR No unified command Each country acted independently until the end of the war Fighting on their OWN territory

Central powers

Central powers Major Players: Germany Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

Central powers Strengths: Germany – best army Germany – excellent navy Superior weapons Fighting in enemy territory

Central powers Excellent lines of communication Unified command Everyone under German control Control of the Dardanelles

Central powers Weaknesses: Fighting a two-front war