What caused World War 1?
M – Militarism: building an army. A – Alliance: friendships made Why did war break out? M – Militarism: building an army. A – Alliance: friendships made between countries I – Imperialism: one nation dominating another N – Nationalism: pride in one’s country
Militarism Idea of building an army. Prior to World War 1 it was fighting in terms of close to your enemy. Used trenches, machine guns, tanks, etc…
Alliances Triple Alliance Germany Italy Austria-Hungary The Balkans Bulgaria Serbia Triple Entente Russia France Great Britain
Imperialism You had countries such as Great Britain and France that were conquering other areas around the world Great Britain – Africa France – South America End up with Colonies all around the world. Fighting happened here too. Germany didn’t have a lot of colonies and did want them. Tried to take over France and Great Britain’s colonies in certain places.
Nationalism The pride we have to be American or any nationality. NOTHING to do with politics and how you feel about the leader. It’s how you feel to be a certain nationality ie: American
How did we get here?
Well… Archduke Francis Ferdinand or Austria-Hungary is in Sarajevo. This is near Serbia Archduke Francis Ferdinand is in line for the throne. This would be like someone killing Prince Harry of England today. He is assassinated by Serbs. CHAOS BREAKS OUT…
stay WITH ME ON THIS… Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia because of the assassination. Serbia has a secret alliance with Russia Germany being a friend of Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia. Russia however, has an alliance with France. Germany declares war on France so France declares war on Germany. Italy is sitting out because no one has attacked Germany yet. Great Britain gets involved because they are allies of France. United States declares war on Germany after they sank more of our ships.
In other words… Russia Austria-Hungary France Germany Great Britain Italy only has allegiance to Germany in attacked United States Italy (switches sides) Serbia
What Happens is… Archduke of Austria-Hungary and his wife are killed. Everyone declares war on each other as said before Italy is Germany’s ally BUT ONLY IF GERMANY IS ATTACKED! Hoped to sit this war out. (Didn’t happen, they switched sides) Neutral countries is what brought Great Britain into the war. Luxemburg was told by Germany in not so many words, “Let us through your country or we will destroy you” Luxemburg of course responded with something like “over our dead bodies” Germany attacked. So Great Britain an ally of Luxemburg got involved.
Need some student Volunteers Gemany Austria-Hungary Italy Russia France Great Britain Serbia Luxemburg Archduke Francis Ferdinand Wife