World War I Begins Chapter 8 Section 1

Long Term Causes Nationalism- National interests and unity should be placed ahead of global cooperation Imperialism- Expanding power and influence Militarism- The development of armed forces and their use as a tool of diplomacy Alliance System- Treaties of assistance

Nationalism France v. Germany France still angry over Alsace and Lorraine in 1871Franco- Prussian War

Nationalism Russia v. Austria- Hungary Russia considered itself protectors of Slavs (including Serbians) A-H also wanted influence over Serbia

Nationalism Other ethnic groups ruled by other nations wanted a nation of their own… (Poland)Germany and A-H (Czechs) A-H-not even allowed to use their own language

Imperialism Germany, France and Britain competing for colonies Germany got into the game later than Britain and France

Militarism By 1890-Germany strongest nation in Europe-strong military Britain not worried at first- protected by navy 1897-Germany decides to become major naval power France, Italy, Japan and the U.S. quickly joined the naval arms race

The Dreadnought

Alliance System Allies vs. Central Powers

Assassination Leads to War Balkan Peninsula- The “Powder keg of Europe” Germany wanted to use it to expand RR to Ottoman Empire June 28, Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated Gavrilo Princip- assassin Black Hand- wanted to unite all Serbs

Assassination

War A-H declares war on Serbia- July 28, 1914 Then Russia entered to help Serbia Germany entered to help A-H – declared war on Russia’s ally France France’s ally Britain declared war on Germany and A-H

War Begins-The Schlieffen Plan German War Plan Hold Russia Quickly attack France Through Belgium –Once France was defeated Germany would then defeat Russia

Fighting Begins Germany easily takes Belgium British and French retreat to Marne River Make stand-halt German advance

Problem By spring of Stalemate develops on Western Front Trench warfare is initiated Trenches- covered northern and eastern France Fought for mere yards No Man’s Land- Area between the trenches –Dangerous –Muddy –Craters –Barbed Wire

Slaughter Huge casualties Example-Battle of the Somme Begins July1, 1916 Ends November 1916 British lose 60,000 on FIRST DAY! Germans lose 650,000 British lose 420,000 French lose 200,000 About 1.2 million total

Caused by the Machine Gun

Eastern Front Germans and Russians took turns advancing and retreating Battle in the Dardanelles went on for a year-ended in trench warfare

It seemed as though neither side could gain a decisive victory