Why was it called “The Great War” instead of World War I?

 During the summer and fall of 1914, France lost as many men on the battlefield as the U.S. Army would lose in all of the 20th century!  Russia's losses were never actually counted. It is estimated that over 6 million Russian soldiers were killed in WWI.  During World War One, 230 soldiers perished for each hour of the four and a quarter years it continued.  The world's worst train accident occurred in France, in December 1917 with the deaths of over 600 soldiers.  There were 70million men and women in uniform-- of that number one- half were either killed, wounded or became prisoners of war.  In Great Britain at the end of the war there were 250,000 wounded soldiers who suffered total or partial amputation.  Half of the dead of the Great War have no known grave.  The U.S. was in the war in actual combat for only seven and a half months. During this time 116,000 were killed and 204,000 were wounded.  Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and King George V of England were all first cousins-grandchildren of Queen Victoria of England.

 Militarism  Alliances  Imperialism  Nationalism

 Militarism-glorification of the military; military preparedness  The desire to build a large military came to dominate some country’s national policy  Stockpiling weapons and increasing armies.  Many of these nations tried to outdo each other by trying to have the most modern weaponry and the most men in uniform. Military Sizes Germany1.3m5.0m France0.73m4.0m Russia0.40m1.2m

Militarism & Arms Race Total Defense Expenditures for the Great Powers [Ger., A-H, It., Fr., Br., Rus.] in millions of £s Increase in Defense Expenditures France10% Britain13% Russia39% Germany73% Year Money Spent

 Alliances began to from among countries causing increased confidence among leaders.  Triple Alliance- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (athough they never fought with it).  Austria-Hungary and Germany came to be known as the Central Powers  Triple Entente: France, Russia, Great Britain  Later known as the Allies  Entente – alliances formed by signing non-binding agreements to try & keep peace.  Leaders knew if they declared war they would have backup. Why was this a recipe for disaster?

 Ruled Germany from  The epitome of Militarism!  Forced Germany’s Blood & Iron Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, to retire in 1890  Bismarck kept Germany safe from France through the alliance system.  The Kaiser engaged in arms race with Britain & France and alienated Russia which joined France in 1892.

 Many of the countries in Europe tried to establish empires that expanded throughout the globe (i.e. Africa, Asia).  They were frequently getting into each other’s way which led to animosity between the countries.  During the Franco-Prussian War (1870) Prussia (Germany) gained control over a small border province, Alsace-Lorraine. France resented this takeover and gave motive for war 44 years later.

Looking at this map how might countries be getting into each other’s way?

 Nationalism – A deep, intense devotion to one’s nation.  It can unify and disunity. Nationalism helped weaken empires such as Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.  The Slavs, who resided in the Balkans (called the “Powder Keg” of Europe) resented Austria-Hungary’s power over them. In 1908, A-H annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. This angered Serbia. Encouraged by Russia, a Slavic nation, the Slavs of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire tried many times to break free. It would be this struggle that would help to start WWI What is the differenc between patriotism and nationalism?

 “Black Hand” terrorists attack the Arch Duke  Bomb attempt fails in morning  Gavrilo Princip shoots Archduke and wife in the afternoon.  Austrians blame Serbia for supporting terrorists. Seal of the Black Hand group Gavrilo Princip

The Assassination: Sarajevo

Who’s To Blame?

 June 28, 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria assassinated  July 23, 1914 Austria issues Serbia an ultimatum  July 25 th Austria-Hungary denies Serbia’s reply to their demands.

 July 28, 1914 A-H declares war on Serbia  July 30, 1914 Russia orders full mobilization of its troops  August 1,1914 Germany declares war on Russia  August 3, 1914 Germany declares war on France

 Using page 284 in your textbook please color in the map.  Be sure to label the countries of Belgium, Great Britain, and Switzerland  Be Sure to color code the legend on the map.