Section I: Factors Leading to War (Pages ) This section is about: This section is about: How conflicting national interests led to a buildup of tensions in Europe. How conflicting national interests led to a buildup of tensions in Europe. How countries formed alliances to achieve a fragile balance of power. How countries formed alliances to achieve a fragile balance of power. How the assassination of the Austrian archduke touched off the outbreak of war. How the assassination of the Austrian archduke touched off the outbreak of war.

There’s a very dramatic picture on pages of your book. How does the painting show the drama of fighting in WWI? Let’s read the overview of this Chapter on page 610. And the timeline: it doesn’t span too many years. Why?

Factors Leading to War Europe on the Eve of War Look at the Main Ideas on page 612. Look at the Main Ideas on page 612. The second one (B) is what probably causes the others. The second one (B) is what probably causes the others. One of the most important military leaders in Europe at this time was Alfred von Schlieffen. One of the most important military leaders in Europe at this time was Alfred von Schlieffen. As he was dying, he said: “It must come to a fight.” As he was dying, he said: “It must come to a fight.” He was predicting WWI. He was predicting WWI.

Conflicting National Interests The last three decades of the 1800’s was pretty peaceful. The last three decades of the 1800’s was pretty peaceful. The Industrial Revolution had taken place and countries were focusing on building up their own economies. The Industrial Revolution had taken place and countries were focusing on building up their own economies. Social conditions had improved, better healthcare and nutrition, higher populations of healthier, happier people. Social conditions had improved, better healthcare and nutrition, higher populations of healthier, happier people. But there were 4 factors starting to change all that: imperialism, nationalism, militarism, and alliances. But there were 4 factors starting to change all that: imperialism, nationalism, militarism, and alliances.

A Push for Nationalism Ideas of nationalism were strong – both in France and Germany. Ideas of nationalism were strong – both in France and Germany. They had some lands they had argued about and neither one really trusted the other. They had some lands they had argued about and neither one really trusted the other. There was also an attempt to unite all the Slavic peoples living on the Balkan peninsula (and Russia – with a lot of Slavic people) would back these people up. They called this Pan- Slavism. There was also an attempt to unite all the Slavic peoples living on the Balkan peninsula (and Russia – with a lot of Slavic people) would back these people up. They called this Pan- Slavism. There were two other empires involved…………. There were two other empires involved………….

Austria-Hungary also had many Slavic people (and Serbians in “Bosnia), who wanted to be free of the empire. Austria-Hungary also had many Slavic people (and Serbians in “Bosnia), who wanted to be free of the empire. In 1912, some of the Balkan states attacked the Ottoman Empire. In 1912, some of the Balkan states attacked the Ottoman Empire. At the time this area was called “the powder keg of Europe.” At the time this area was called “the powder keg of Europe.” The Ottoman Empire had it’s own problems. The Ottoman Empire had it’s own problems. There were 2 million Christian Armenians living there. There were 2 million Christian Armenians living there. Russia encouraged them to try and get their own independence. Russia encouraged them to try and get their own independence. When the C.A.’s had their taxes raised, they started a HUGE revolt. When the C.A.’s had their taxes raised, they started a HUGE revolt. Something big was ready to happen. Something big was ready to happen.

Marching Toward War The Germans had beaten France in a war in 1871 and Germany was starting to build up their military again. The Germans had beaten France in a war in 1871 and Germany was starting to build up their military again. The Russians were worried the Germans were getting too close of ties with Austria-Hungary. The Russians were worried the Germans were getting too close of ties with Austria-Hungary. Britain was worried Germany would threaten their power/dominance. Britain was worried Germany would threaten their power/dominance. An arms race began in Europe – with each county trying to be the strongest An arms race began in Europe – with each county trying to be the strongest Countries were feeling that if force might be the only way to settle their problems, they needed to be prepared. Countries were feeling that if force might be the only way to settle their problems, they needed to be prepared. Guns, cannons, and modern weapons were being made all over Europe. Guns, cannons, and modern weapons were being made all over Europe. Countries also began preparing their soldiers to mobilize. Countries also began preparing their soldiers to mobilize. (called into active duty and serve in the army)

Forming Alliances In 1871, Germany had united all it’s “states” into one large “confederation.” In 1871, Germany had united all it’s “states” into one large “confederation.” This made them much stronger - and other European nations had a plan. This made them much stronger - and other European nations had a plan. They agreed to form alliances and help each other out if one of the others was attacked. They agreed to form alliances and help each other out if one of the others was attacked. They thought this would ensure peace, but it actually encourages war – and bigger war. They thought this would ensure peace, but it actually encourages war – and bigger war. Many countries might get involved in a simple disagreement. Many countries might get involved in a simple disagreement.

The Triple Alliance Otto Von Bismarck (German chancellor) wanted to keep France and Russia from forming an alliance (they were on both sides of him). Otto Von Bismarck (German chancellor) wanted to keep France and Russia from forming an alliance (they were on both sides of him). He set up an alliance with Austria-Hungary and two years later with Russia (called the Three Emperors League). He set up an alliance with Austria-Hungary and two years later with Russia (called the Three Emperors League). Germany then formed an alliance with A.H. and Italy (called the Triple Alliance). Germany then formed an alliance with A.H. and Italy (called the Triple Alliance). But now France was all alone. But now France was all alone. Bismarck thought Russia and A.H. might not get along with each other, so he had to choose one to be allied with. Bismarck thought Russia and A.H. might not get along with each other, so he had to choose one to be allied with. It was: A.H. (better army than Russia). It was: A.H. (better army than Russia).

France and Russia If Germany didn’t want to be friends with Russia, France would be. If Germany didn’t want to be friends with Russia, France would be. And, France and Great Britain even decided to be friendly with each other and formed the “Entente Cordial” And, France and Great Britain even decided to be friendly with each other and formed the “Entente Cordial” Great Britain and Russia formed an entente and the three eventually called themselves “the Triple Entente.” Great Britain and Russia formed an entente and the three eventually called themselves “the Triple Entente.” An agreement between countries to work together

War Breaks Out Serbia wanted to start it’s own country. Serbia wanted to start it’s own country. They wanted the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina (controlled by the Ottomans and by A.H.). They wanted the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina (controlled by the Ottomans and by A.H.). Great Britain didn’t completely trust Russia with the Balkans (Triple Entente friend). Great Britain didn’t completely trust Russia with the Balkans (Triple Entente friend). The knew Russia still wanted a way to get to the Mediterranean Sea. The knew Russia still wanted a way to get to the Mediterranean Sea.

An Assassination in Sarajevo In 1914, the heir to the throne of Austria was murdered in the Balkans. In 1914, the heir to the throne of Austria was murdered in the Balkans. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was visiting Bosnia and was killed by a Serbian nationalist who was a member of “the Black Hand.” Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was visiting Bosnia and was killed by a Serbian nationalist who was a member of “the Black Hand.” This group wanted the A.H.’s out of Bosnia and thought this would scare them out. This group wanted the A.H.’s out of Bosnia and thought this would scare them out. But A.H. saw this as a chance to get involved in the Balkans. But A.H. saw this as a chance to get involved in the Balkans. They gave an ultimatum to Serbia. They gave an ultimatum to Serbia. Serbia wouldn’t agree to all the demands and war was declared on July 28 th, Serbia wouldn’t agree to all the demands and war was declared on July 28 th, (a final set of demands)

Alliances Spread Conflict Because of all the alliance at the time, they all had to get involved and back each other up. Because of all the alliance at the time, they all had to get involved and back each other up. The Triple Entente became known as the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, and Russia + Italy, Japan…..). The Triple Entente became known as the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, and Russia + Italy, Japan…..). The Triple Alliance became known as the Central Powers (Germany, Austria Hungary, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire………….) The Triple Alliance became known as the Central Powers (Germany, Austria Hungary, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire………….) The U.S. didn’t get involved. This was a European war. The U.S. didn’t get involved. This was a European war. Many people (and the leaders of both sides) thought this would be a short war (it wasn’t). Many people (and the leaders of both sides) thought this would be a short war (it wasn’t).

War and Society This was a war that involved everyone (not just soldiers). This was a war that involved everyone (not just soldiers). Average people had to make great sacrifices. Average people had to make great sacrifices. Posters, cartoons, marching songs, and editorials encouraged people to help the effort. Posters, cartoons, marching songs, and editorials encouraged people to help the effort. Artists and writers were even involved – many showing the brutality and senselessness of war in ways never seen before. Artists and writers were even involved – many showing the brutality and senselessness of war in ways never seen before.

WWI Artist Otto Dix