World War I: The Great War

I. Europe Before the War Austro-Hungarian Empire German Empire Great Britain France Balkans Russian Empire

II. Optimism Before the War peace in Europe Scientific and technological advances Economic prosperity led to belief that the world had become too “civilized” for war

II. Why The Great War Began Imperialism – competition for colonial empires fueled rivalry Example: Moroccan crisis between Germany and France Nationalism – Ethnic groups wanted nations of their own (especially in Austria- Hungary). Example: Slavic people in the Balkan “powder keg” Serbia was an independent Slavic nation and wanted other Slavs to join them in a new nation- state. The area had several wars in the early 1900s, trying to achieve this aim.

II. Why the Great War Began Militarism – “glorification of military strength” Each nation tried to get a bigger army or navy than the other (arms race) Alliance System – leaders of nations promised to aid one another in case of attack Central Powers/Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Allied Powers/Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, Russia

Roots of War

III. The Spark Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria – assassinated in the Balkans Austria declared issued an ultimatum to Serbia, and then went to war. Russia had to honor its alliance with Serbia. Alliance system kicks in, and soon everyone is at war. Nations enter with excitement and the belief that the war will be short. Wow.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

IV. Schlieffen Plan Germany’s War Plan –Massive attack to quickly defeat France –Then focus on Russia in the East The Reality: –Attacks bog down (Battle of the Marne) –Both sides build trenches and realize the war will not be short –Trench Warfare begins

Map Instructions Turn to page 405 in the book Label all of the identified countries from your book onto your map Color the Central Powers 1 color and the Allied Powers a different color Create a key in the space provided on the map identifying which color goes with which set of allies Remember the Alliances, they are somewhat important to understanding the war (sarcasm intended).