Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism
Glorification of the military Leads to increased suspicions between countries & made war more likely Readiness for war came to dominate national policies
Distrust amongst great powers leads to alliances Intended to create powerful combinations that no one would attack Two main sets of alliances emerge: Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, Russia
the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries Why European focus on Imperialism? Economic Political Cultural
Germany: Proud of new military power & industrial leadership France: wanted to regain position as Europe’s leading power; sought revenge for “lost provinces” Russia: promoted idea of Pan-Slavism, felt duty to defend all Slavic people The Balkans: Rising nationalism creates “powder keg in Europe”
June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria- Hungary assassinated by Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip
July 28, 1914: Austria declares war on Serbia August 1, 1914: Germany declares war on Russia August 3, 1914: Germany declares war on France August 4, 1914: Germany invades Belgium (Schlieffen Plan put in action) Great Britain declares war on Germany October 28, 1914: Ottoman Empire enters World War I
Two Sides in World War I Allied Powers: Central Powers Central Powers:
Allied Powers 1. More Soldiers 2. Greater Industrial Power 3. Superior Navy countries
Central Powers 1. Well-trained Army 2. Well equipped Army 3. Territory allowed for rapid troop movement/communication
World Leaders during WWI Nicholas II [Rus] George V [Br] Pres. Poincare [Fr] Allied Powers: Franz Josef [A-H] Wilhelm II [Ger] Victor Emmanuel II [It] Central Powers: Enver Pasha [O.E.]
German plan to attack France by invading Belgium Goal was to achieve quick victory against France, avoid fighting a war on two fronts
Austria-Hungary wanted to punish Serbia Germany wanted to stand strong behind its ally Russia saw an attempt to oppress Slavic people France feared facing Germany alone later on Great Britain felt compelled to protect Belgium
September 5, 1914 Allies block German offensive Germans forced to retreat Outcome: 1.German plan for quick victory ruined 2.War turns into a stalemate 3.Trench warfare begins
February 21 – December 18, 1916 Germans launch offensive against the French One of longest & most devastating battles More than 500,000 dead
Battle begins July 1, 1916 Allied offensive against Germany One of the largest & bloodiest battles of World War I Over 1 million troops killed
Machine Gun Improved Artillery
Poison Gas
Tanks U-boats
Airplanes Zeppelins
Russia suffers from major shortages Food, clothing, weapons, ammunition Allies could not ship supplies Blockade by Central Powers Russia suffers major casualties