World War I The MAIN Causes of

The MAIN Causes M ilitarism A lliance Systems I mperialism N ationalism

Militarism Militarism – building up military to be prepared for war and/or used as a tool of diplomacy Total Defense Expenditures of Great Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, Britain, Russia) *in millions $156$216$256$446$481$ Increase in Defense Expenditures France10% Britain13% Russia39% Germany73%

Alliance Systems Alliance – a formal agreement or union between nations promise to aid and protect one another

Triple Entente Triple Alliance Great Britain France Russia Germany Austria-Hungary Italy

Imperialism One country taking over another economically and politically

Nationalism Nationalism – pride in or devotion to one’s country

Assassination Balkan Peninsula – much interest Archduke Franz Ferdinand Heir to Austria-Hungary throne Sarajevo, Bosnia Killed by Gavrilo Princip Serbian nationalist Black Hand member

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28th, 1914.

Artist’s depiction of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death; declared war on Serbia. Germany pledges support for Austria-Hungary. Russia pledges support for Serbia.

Germany declares war on Russia. France pledges support for Russia. Germany declares war on France. Germany invades Belgium on the way to France. Great Britain supports Belgium; declares war on Germany.

Allied Powers Central Powers Great Britain France Russia Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire

Attitudes about war Most soldiers excited Family tradition Becoming heroes No major wars in many years Many volunteer Drafts still need to be used Expect quick end to war

Overview of the War 3 Fronts Western – French/German border Eastern – German/Russian border Rest of World – seas, Africa, Asia Trench Warfare New Weapons Poison Gas, Machine Gun, Tank, Submarine

German Strategies Schlieffen Plan Doesn’t want to fight on 2 fronts Attack & defeat France 1 st Then Russia Submarine attacks On Navies On transport ships Total War – all resources towards war

Russia in WWI Attack Austria & Germany Top resource is # of people Are cut off from supplies – no rail lines Leaves war in 1917 Chaos erupts to tough living

US’s role in WWI Want to avoid Pulled in by German sub warfare Joins war in 1917 Zimmerman telegraph Brings new energy, resources, and troops

A New Kind of War Trench Warfare Front Line Support Reserve Dugouts - offices “No Man’s Land” – space between sides Saps – shallow trenches facing opponent

Trench Warfare