World War Breaks Out in Europe

Long Term Causes of WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

Militarism Development of your military as a tool for diplomacy and the elevation status of the military in the minds of the population.

Alliances Increasing fear of a possible conflict leads to the need to find allies to help protect you.

Alliances Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia Central Powers: Germany, Austria- Hungary, Ottoman Empire

Imperialism Constant quest for new territories and resources increases potential for conflict.

Nationalism A devotion to your own nation and its interests. –Powerful looking to expand –Less powerful looking for independence

War finally kicks off Serbian nationalist organization “the black hand” plans an assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian thrown (Archduke Franz Ferdinand)

War finally kicks off Gavrilo Princip commits the act in June of 1914 and Austria-Hungary tells Serbia to hand over those involved in the plan. They don’t act to A- H’s satisfaction

War finally kicks off Germany gives A-H a “blank check” to go after Serbia Russia (Slavic) won’t have it Germany knows Russia is in cahoots with France so they need a plan

The Schlieffen Plan Germany figures they can’t fight on two fronts so they will knock out France first before focusing on Russia. They attack through Belgium.

Trench Warfare The western front becomes a long line of trenches across Europe where massive human losses are incurred for very little geographic gain.