Causes of WWI

Europe Prior to war

Long-term causes of War Nationalism Imperialism Militarism Alliance System

Nationalism The belief that national interests and national unity comes first and foreign policy should be guided by self interest. Nationalism= competitiveness between countries

Imperialism Extending political, economic or military authority over another country (weaker country) Usually done to take advantage of resources a country has. Imperial possessions sometimes led to war…. Two countries competing over territory

Militarism Development of armed forces and their use as a tool of democracy. Germany was the most militarized country in Europe. They even began competing with Great Britain’s powerful navy. Other European nations realized Germany’s advancements and tried to keep up.

Alliance System Triple Entente- Later the Allies Countries coming together as alliances with the intent to discourage war by making war undesirable. Triple Entente- Later the Allies France Great Britain Russia Triple Alliance- Later the Central Powers Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

Powder Keg The Balkan peninsula became known as the “powder keg of Europe” All that was needed was a spark to set it off, and that spark would come in 1914.

The Spark Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria- Hungary is assassinated by a Serbian teenager. The Austro-Hungarian Empire wanted to make Serbia pay but due to the Alliance system, country after country were dragged into the fighting.