Causes of World War I

4 Causes  Militarism  Alliance System  Imperialism  Nationalism  MAIN

Militarism  Most of the countries involved in WWI began to strengthen their arsenals.  The build up of weaponry gives countries more machinery and technology in case they are threatened.  New weapons are introduced during this period. (airplanes, machine guns, poisonous gases, tanks, grenades etc..)  All countries including the United States began to really strengthen their military and competition began to take hold.

Alliance System  Having existing alliances is a very scaring thing before a war breaks out.  Central Powers – Germany, Austria- Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire  Allied Powers – Great Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Serbia  United States will enter the war with the Allied Powers in 1917.

Imperialism  Quest for Africa – 50 of the 52 nations in the continent of Africa were overrun  This attitude and quest by these countries created an atmosphere of hostility between the European conquerors.  Many wars were fought for control of these countries. (The Boer War ,)

Nationalism

Nationalism  With the acquisition of new lands, and new resources, the people begin to take pride in their country.  This overwhelming feeling of pride in one’s own country is called nationalism or patriotism.

War is Ignited: June 28, 1914  A. World War I “…the fuse is lit!” –1. Austrian Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are riding in a motorcade in Bosnian capitol of Sarajevo –2. They are assassinated by Gavrillo Princip of Serbian nationalist group: The Black Hand  B. Austria-Hungary’s Response –1. They are enraged-they want war-they want to crush Serbia once and for all –2. They call on Germany for help  a. German Kaiser Wilhelm II gives them a “Blank Check” of blind support

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Wife Sophia 

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Gavrilo Princip  Killed Franz Ferdinand and his wife  Member of Serbian nationalist group: The Black Hand  Upset at Austria -Hungary for colonizingSerbia

War is Ignited: June 28, 1914  1. Austria-Hungary issues a series of ultimatums to Serbia –a. They gave Serbia 48 hours to comply –b. This was not enough time for Serbian government to agree or disagree-Austria-Hungary saw this as rejection –c. July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

The Alliance System Domino- Effect  1. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia  2. Russia declares war on Austria- Hungary  3. France declares war on Austria- Hungary  4. Germany declares war on France and Russia  5. Great Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary

The Great War has Begun  A. All sides thought it would be a quick war but new technology assured that it would be a harsh and drawn out war  B. Propaganda was used by all sides’ –1. Government sponsored efforts to depict the war efforts as patriotic –2. Propaganda was the most important tool in building patriotism

The Great War has Begun  C. Great Britain proclaimed to be in the war to “protect smaller nationalities from the will of stronger aggressors”  D. Germany proclaimed to be in the war to protect German existence from barbarian enemy neighbors  E. World War I was the first European total war –1. every aspect of society goes into supporting the war effort –2. civilians became fair game as targets

The Spark that Ignited the Fuse Militarism Nationalism Alliance System MURDER OF ARCHDUKE FERDINAND AND HIS WIFE SOPHIA Imperialism When Austrian King Archduke Ferdinand was killed by a Serbian terrorist organization, WWI could not be avoided!