World War I

Caused by tension in Europe 4 Main Causes

Cause #1: Militarism- development of armed forces (stronger land army, naval race…)

Cause # 2: Alliance System- treaties signed to assist and support

Cause # 3: Imperialism- Global competition led to conflict

Cause # 4: Nationalism- belief that national interests and unity should come first

Nationalism weakened eastern Europe (controlled by Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman empire)

Nationalist groups wanted independence

Tension was especially high in the Balkans As countries gained independence there was constant fighting over borders

Area became known as the “powder keg of Europe”

Austria-Hungary and Russia took advantage of tensions to increase their control in these areas

Austria added Bosnia to its empire, which angered Serbia because many Serbs lived there

The actual war began when a man linked to a Serbian terrorist group assassinated the archduke of Austria while he visited (today) Bosnia

The War: The war lasted for 4 years and was fought between two major alliances

Allies – U.S., Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Serbia, Greece, Romania, Montenegro, Portugal, Italy, and Japan

Central Powers – Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, and Turkey (Ottoman Empire)

The US joins in 1917 after the Germans announce they will resume using U-Boat warfare and the Zimmerman note is revealed.

War comes to an end when Germany asks for an armistice (peace agreement) in 1918