WWI 1914-1918 Europe Early 1900’s

Great Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Russia, Italy and France These “Great powers” of Europe were competing for materials and markets all and territorial borders which all stemmed from Imperialism

Great Powers Nationalism- The nations of Europe believed greatness would be achieved though military prowess Militarism- The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army prepared for war.

Military Alliances Growing rivalries and mutual mistrust led to the creation of two rival camps, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente

Military Alliances Triple Alliance: Triple Entente: - Germany - Great Britain - Austria-Hungary - France Italy - Russia A dispute between any two of these rival powers could drag all of the nations into war “You mess with one of us, you mess with ALL of us!”

Powder Keg The Balkan Peninsula had a history of ethnic clashes and Nationalists Uprisings The situation between Serbia and Austria-Hungary was “explosive”…i.e (powder Keg) Their tensions were over territorial disputes

Powder Keg June 28, 1914- Archduke Franz Ferdinand & his pregnant wife Sophia were assassinated The assignations were carried out by a Serbian Terrorist Group known as “The Black Hand” “The Black Hand” was determined to rid Bosnia of Austrian rule As a result, on July 28 Austria declared war on Serbia Russia, an ally if Serbia also marched toward Austria that day

Europe Plunges Into War The Chain Reaction! July 28 Austria declares war on Serbia Russia mobilizes troops towards Austrian border August 1 Germany declares war on Russia Germany declares war on France Europe is now locked in to all out war!

Europe Plunges Into War The Battle Lines! Germany and Austria Hungary were known as the Central Powers because of their location in the heart of Europe, they would later be joined by Bulgaria and the ottoman Empire Great Britain, France and Russia were known as the allied powers or Allies, they were soon joined by Japan, Italy, and Armenia

The War Fronts Western Front The region in Northern France which became deadlocked during the fall of 1914 Eastern Front A Stretch of battlefield along the German and Russian border where Russians and Serbs battled Germans and Austro-Hungarians

Slaughter and Stalemate New tools of war such as machine guns, poison gas, tanks and airplanes did not speed up the war New tools of war resulted in more efficient “killing” and larger loss of life Trench Warfare- Soldiers fought each other from trenches, progress was slow, death tolls were high This led to more slaughter and stalemate