World War I “The Great War” “The War to End All Wars” “The War to Make the World Safe for Democracy”
The Causes of WWI Militarism Alliance System Imperialism Nationalism
Imperialism Industrial economies compete for colonies French vs. Britain = Fashoda Incident compromise leads to Entente Cordiale Moroccan crisis (1905) Germany tries to split Entente Cordiale advocates for Moroccan independence demands international conference Britain and others side with France
Moroccan Crisis
Imperialism Industrial economies compete for colonies German East Africa (Tanzania) stands in the way of Cairo to Cape Town railway
Cairo to Cape Town
Imperialism Geopolitical strategy Britain wants to protect India Britain vs. Russia = Central Asia “The Great Game” Divide Persia into spheres of influence Acknowledges British control over Afghanistan Both sides pledge non-interference in Tibet Allows Anglo-Russian Entente
Imperialism multi-national empires in Europe. Austria-Hungary Expanded into Bosnia as Ottomans decline Ottoman decline creates turmoil of new states jockeying for territorial advantage Balkan Wars
Imperialism vs. Nationalism
Nationalism Pride in one’s country leading to competition between nations France wants revenge on Germany for Franco-Prussian defeat (return of Alsace-Lorraine) “revanchism” Germany wants empire to prove status “sun never sets on the British Empire.” Desire for self-determination, freedom from foreign control Balkans = “the powder keg” many ethnic groups want self-determination Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians, etc. Austria-Hungary (expanding) Ottomans (retreating = “sick man of Europe”) Russia is the traditional protector of Southern Slavs Pan-Slavism
Balkan Nationalism
Militarism War is a means of achieving goals Military power essential for national strength threats favored over diplomacy Kaiser Wilhelm II = insecure blowhard Tries to assert his authority Fires Bismarck in 1890 Influence of military on decision-making military philosophy infiltrates civilian govt. leads to arms race France and Germany 2x military $ (1870 – 1914) Germany and Britain compete for naval power Who can launch the most “dreadnoughts” War is “glorious” Young men are eager to get into the “last war” but unaware of what awaits them
“Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori” “It is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country”
Alliance System Triple Entente (“understanding”) Develops after Bismarck is fired France and Russia France financing Russian industrialization Bismarck’s worst fear comes true “Germany is encircled” France and Britain Entente Cordiale both “democracies” Britain irritated w/German naval buildup Britain guarantees Belgium neutrality guarantees all major powers become involved in the conflict. Draws 3rd parties into conflict
Alliance System Pan-Slavism Three Emperor’s League fails Russia as Serbia’s protector Russia and Austria compete in Balkans as the Ottomans fade. Three Emperor’s League fails Pan-Germanism/fear of Russia Unites Germany and Austria Germany likes weak partner Bismarck fired 1990 Reinsurance Treaty not renewed Final bond with Russia broken Ottomans wary of Russians Russia wants Dardanelles Link Black Sea to Mediterranean Germans gives Turks military support together they will contain Russia Bulgarians want revenge on Serbia Balkan Wars Alliance System guarantees all major powers become involved in the conflict. Draws 3rd parties into conflict
Spark that ignited the powder keg Gavrilo Princeps Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his Family
Spark that ignited the powder keg
The Aftermath of Sarajevo or “The March to War” Kaiser gives Austria a “blank check” Urges them to move quickly while global opinion is still against Serbia Austria waits a month, then declares war Russia mobilizes in support of Serbia Germany must mobilize in response Schiefflen Plan kicks in (avoid two front war) knock out France, then focus on Russia Germany invades neutral Belgium in an attempt to capture Paris and knockout France almost succeeds, stopped 25 miles short Britain declares war because of violation of Belgian neutrality
Schlieffen Plan Stalemate on the Western Front