WWI Causes and Steps

Main Causes of WWI Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism

Militarism The continuous maintenance of strong armed forces and weapons of war. Most countries in Europe were demonstrating militarism during this period most notably Britain, Germany, France and Italy.

Alliances A close association for common goals and objectives. Triple Entente consisted of Britain, France and Russia Triple Alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy (Italy will be replaced by Turkey in 1914, who will then ally with the Entente in 1915) Thus, two major camps arose on both sides willing to back up the other and to defend their own interests.

Map of Europe in 1914

Imperialism The practice of creating and maintaining an empire as the result of taking over, controlling and subjugating the inhabitants of countries thought to be weaker and then establishing colonies. Most of the European countries were involved in empire building for economic reasons or to spread cultural and religious beleifs and eventually this would lead to a clash between countries for control of overseas territories.

Africa

Nationalism A strong feeling of patriotism for one’s country coupled with the belief that the idea, traditions and customs are superior to any other. Many nationalist groups in Austria-Hungary sought independence and other European nations sought to gain territory lost.

Steps to War

Sarajevo June 28, 1914 – A young Serbian named Gavrilo Princips fires the shots that would ignite WWI. Here, Princeps is pictured shooting the Acrhduke of Austria.

The Steps to War after the Assassination July 23 – Austria-Hungary sends a three part ultimatum to Serbia following the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Thee conditions were: A.) put down the growing unrest in the country B.) arrest all involved in the assassination C.) allow Austrian officials into the country so that these illegal groups can be done away with

July 25 Germany urges Austria to declare war

Later on that same day…. Serbia decides to mobilize its troops on the A-H border as they do not intend to fulfill the third ultimatum.

July 28 Austria-Hungary takes the bold step of declaring war on Serbia and invades the country the following day, little realizing nor worried that they have a secret treaty with Russia.

July 30 Russia begins to mobilize forces on its western border with Austria-Hungary as they do stop hostilities with Serbia. This is an attempt to protect its ally.

July 31 Austria-Hungary mobilizes on the same border in an effort to protect itself from possible invasion.

August 1 Germany mobilizes its forces on the Russian border in case its ally, Austria needs help. Germany also threatens Russia with war unless they stop mobilizing.

Aug 1 France now begins to mobilize their forces on the German border to protect their Russian ally and tells Germany to stop mobilizing.

Later that same day…. Germany declares war on Russia due to swelling nature of the crisis.

August 2 Germany invade the Luxemburg, a small country south of Belgium.

August 3 Germany now takes the dramatic step of declaring war on France.

Later that same day…. Britain, remaining undecided as to its role in the conflict, warns Germany not to violate Belgian neutrality.

August 4 Germany invades Belgium as part of the Von Schlieffen Plan to defeat France quickly.

Later that same day…. Because of the violation of Belgian territory, Britain finally declares war on Germany.

Canada is automatically at war on August 4, 1914.

Schlieffen Plan The plan was an ingenious military manoeuvre of the Germans that had been prepared for several years. Basically, it involved a small German force that would keep the French troops busy while a larger force would rush through Belgium, swerve behind the French Lines, and take the French capital of Paris. This should have caused the French troops to break their lines in an attempt to save Paris. However, the plan was unsuccessful.

The Plan Failed Schlieffen’s plan was devised so that Germany would not have to fight a two front war with France and Russia because it would be weaker with its forces divided. The idea was that Russia would take time to mobilize to full war-scale footing and in this time Germany could quickly hit France, take Paris, then turn their attention east to Russia. This back door-attack was necessary because the French-German border was heavily fortified even if it meant bring Britain into the war. The risk was worth it if a quick victory could be won. However, French troops rallied on the Marne river and stopped the German troops who managed to gain France rich industrial region, but were stopped short of the gates of Paris. The chance for a short war was over!

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