Causes of World War I Chapter 11

Militarism massive military buildup –to protect overseas colonies & IMPERIALISTIC powers Did they want to protect the people in the colonies or their own interests? size of armed forces & navies grew sharply –especially in Germany Why Germany? Germany had practically no overseas land to protect. countries with militaries were ready to use them as soon as any trouble erupted –“Trigger-happy” is when ready to fire at the least provocation, regardless of situation or consequences.

Alliance system countries allied to protect themselves against MILITARISM from other countries Pre-war allegiances –Triple Alliance = Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire –Triple Entente = Russia & France (which had already allied) with Great Britain, (Italy joins later) alliances should keep war from starting because no country should want to start war with a different country and its allies as well alliance & entente are basically the same thing –An agreement between two or more governments or powers for cooperative action or policy (dictionary.com)

Will change sides by the time war starts

Imperialism definition: “the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.” (dictionary.com)dictionary.com Germany, France, Russia, & Great Britain = IMPERIAL nations to keep imperial lands safe from conquest by other imperial countries, MILITARISM grew

Nationalism definition: “strong devotion to one’s national group or culture.” (book) began in late 1800s –Germany & Italy were new new countries & power struggles Balkan Peninsula –SE Europe (ex: Serbia) –areas w/ certain ethnic groups might want freedom from an empire or bigger country Serbs had Serbia, but many lived outside borders  Serbia wanted to expand borders Austria-Hungary wouldn’t let Serbia expand