The First World War Chapter 18: Sections 1

Main Idea Rivalries among European nations led to the outbreak of war in 1914.

Sparks of World War I The Black Hand plotted to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand most of Europe plunged into war within five weeks.

ArchDuke Francis Ferdinand On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with a lengthy list of demands, with a 48 hour period in which to comply. These demands included abolishing all Pan-Serb propaganda, expelling from office any persons thought to have nationalist sympathies, taking legal action against certain officials designated by Austria-Hungary, and allowing agents of the Dual Monarchy to control all investigations and proceedings concerning the Sarajevo murders. Minutes before the July 25th deadline, Serbia issued a conciliatory reply to Berchtold's demands, stating that Serbia wished the dispute to be submitted to the International Tribunal at the Hague. This conciliation was rejected. On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. World War I had begun. Austrian reaction to the assassination was swift, as the Sarajevo crisis was seen as the Empire's last chance to assert its supremacy in the Balkans. Austrian foreign minister Count Leopold von Berchtold was determined to make use of the assassinations to crush once and for all the Serbian nationalist movement. Berchtold sent an envoy to Berlin, who was assured by Emperor William II on July 5th that Germany would fully support any action which the Dual Monarchy might take against Serbia. On July 6th, German chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg issued the blank check of unconditional German support. As Francis Ferdinand and his party proceeded through Sarajevo, the first of the Black Hand operatives tossed a bomb at the Archduke's automobile. The chauffeur saw the explosive and accelerated to avoid the impact. Sophie ducked, and Francis Ferdinand deflected the bomb with his arm, causing it to bounce off the back of the car and explode behind them, demolishing the next car and seriously injuring several aides. To avoid capture and interrogation, the unsuccessful assassin, nineteen-year-old Nedjelko Cabrinovic, swallowed a cyanide pill and jumped into the river. However, he was hauled out of the river and detained. As the Archduke's entourage resumed its tour of Sarajevo, the Archduke's chauffeur took a wrong turn and drove within ten feet of another Black Hand agent, Gavrilo Princip. Princip stepped up to the car and fired two pistol shots. One bullet hit Sophie, killing her instantly. The other hit Francis Ferdinand, who died within minutes. Like Carbinovic, Princip attempted suicide, but was captured before succeeding. ArchDuke Francis Ferdinand On the morning of June 28, 1914, while traveling in a motorcade through Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. The Archduke was chosen as a target because Serbians feared that after his ascension to the throne, he would continue and even heighten the persecution of Serbs living within the Austro-Hungarian empire. The Serbian terrorist organization, the Black Hand, had trained a small group of teenage operatives to infiltrate Bosnia and carry out the assassination of the Archduke.

Causes of World War I Nationalism Imperialism Militarism Extreme pride of culture. Ethnic groups wanted autonomy from large empires Imperialism Powerful countries want more land for economic, military, and prestige reasons Militarism Peace is preserved by having the mightiest military

Alliances: Preservation of the Balance of Power Triple Alliance Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Triple Entente Britain France Russia

And in this corner… Central Powers Allied Powers Allied Powers Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Allied Powers Great Britain France Russia Allied Powers Great Britain France Russia

New Tools of War Machine Guns Airplanes Submarines Trench Warfare Gas attack Tanks

The First Battle of the Marne The German army quickly advanced through northern France and after only one month of fighting were barely 25 miles from Paris. 2 million men fought on a battle-front that stretched 125 miles. After five days and 250,000 deaths, the French had rallied and pushed the Germans back some 40 miles. Trench warfare

Battle of Verdun Symbol of French defense Germans decide to bleed French white 250,000 dead…500,000 injured

Important Battles Battle of Tannenburg-Aug. 1914 First Battle of the Marne-Sept. 1914 First Battle of Ypres-Oct.–Nov. 1914 Battle of Gallipoli-Apr.–Dec. 1915 Battle of Verdun-Feb.–Dec. 1916 Battle of the Somme-July–Nov. 1916 Third Battle of Ypres-July–Nov. 1917 Battle of Caporetto-Oct.–Nov. 1917