WWI

Causes of WWI MANIA Militarism Alliances Nationalism Imperialism Assassination

*Militarism* When a nation’s armed forces come to dominate a country’s national policy; it is also a glorification of the military and war itself

Arms Race After 1871, the war atmosphere engendered by the secret alliances led to an arms race among the powers. The race was particularly serious between 1900 and 1914, as the international situation became much worse than before. There was a significant rise in the army and naval estimates of the European powers in these years.

Military Build-Up Conscription was adopted in most European countries (except Britain) since 1870 Relations among countries began to deteriorate, so countries like Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and Great Britain began expanding their defense

Defense Germany – increased armed forces by 170,000 men Germany doubles their navy in 1900 Germany rivals naval supremacy of Great Britain Britain mobilizes troops for movement and home defense Russia increases military term from 3 – 3 ½ years

*Alliances* Signed treaties in which each nation involved pledges to defend one another if attacked by an aggressor

Triple Entente & the Allies Britain, France, and Russia make up the TE Other allied powers include the US, Belgium, and later Italy Smaller countries also sided with the Allied Powers: Serbia, Romania, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, Portugal

I thought Italy was bad… Pre-WWI/ beginning of WWI, Italy sided with Austria-Hungary and Germany in the Triple Alliance When WWI officially broke out in 1914, Italy sided with no one, but decided to hold out and see how the war progressed Eventually, Italy realized the allied powers were dominating, so Italy entered WWI on the side of the allies

Central Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire Other European countries involved with the Central Powers include; Bulgaria and Turkey

*Nationalism* Pride and patriotism in one’s nation; in terms of WWI, nationalism became aggressive and subsequently a major cause of international tension

European Nationalism There were two kinds of nationalism in 19th Century Europe: (i) the desire of peoples for independence - It led to a series of national struggles for independence among the Balkan peoples. Other powers got involved and caused much instability. (ii) the desire of independent nations for dominance and prestige - As the powers try to dominate each other in Europe, their rivalries may be regarded as one of the causes of the First World War.

*Imperialism* Domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region; due to the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s, some European nations had a large portion of the world under their control

The Balkans Russia vied with Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire for control over the Balkans

*Assassination* Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot by a Serbian member of the Black Hand who supported Balkan independence Ferdinand was the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne Austria- Hungary ruled over a large part of the Balkans where many ethnic groups struggled for independence.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Declaring War Russia comes to the aid of Serbia- in hopes of gaining influence in the Balkans Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia in July 1914 Germany declared war on Russia and France a few days later To avoid the strong defense on the Franco-German border, Germany sends troops through Belgium which is neutral Because of this Britain declares war on Germany