1914 – 1918 A.K.A. The Great War The War to End All Wars

Long-term causes of W.W.I M ilitarism A lliances I mperialism N ationalism

Militarism – policy of making military power a primary goal of a nation. Germany was competing with the UK to build battleships. The British feared an attack on their Empire Germany was competing with Russia and France to expand their armies Germany1.3m5.0m France0.73m4.0m Russia0.40m1.2m

Alliance System– European nations began to form alliances to create a balance of power which is a situation in which the strength of rival alliances is nearly equal.

Alliances By 1914 all the major powers were linked by a system of alliances. The alliances made it more likely that a war would start. Once started, the alliances made it more likely to spread.

Imperialism – nations competing to gain territories and build overseas empires. Britain was the world’s largest imperial power but France, Germany, Italy, and Russia wanted to create similar empires.

Imperialism All the great powers were competing for colonies / territory. The British feared Germany in Africa. The Austrians feared Serbia / Russia in the Balkans

Nationalism – the feeling that a specific nation, language, or culture is superior to all others.

Nationalism This was an age when all nations wanted to assert their power and independence. In Europe Slavs, aided by Serbia and Russia, wanted to be free of Austrian rule. Serbia’s national flag

Triple Alliance – Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy pledged to support each other in case of attack.

Triple Entente – alliance uniting Britain, France, and Russia. Entente is a French word meaning a diplomatic “understanding”

So we have a lot of tension with these nations… but how did WWI start?

Immediate Causes of WWI “The Spark” – Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria- Hungary, was assassinated by a Serb nationalist. (1914)

The play by play

This assassination led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia.

This declaration and attack on Serbia, required Russia to defend Serbia.

Russia’s mobilization led other countries to fulfill their own alliance obligations.

Germany declared war on Russia and then 2 days later on France.

Germany prepared to invade Belgium and then Britain pledged to defend Belgium’s neutrality. So Britain declared war on Germany.

Within days, Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia.

Then France and Britain declared war on Austria-Hungary

(And it was on!)

This domino effect led to the Great War which later became known as World War I.

Summary: an end to the policy of imperialism aboard the formation of alliances between countries an increase in the military spending by England These 3 things were the causes of WWI and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the final straw to start WWI

WWI is more destructive Chemical gas Trenches Guns

Russia is like, peace out They had a civil war going on, and will pull out of WWI –They don’t like the Czar –They like communism Communist Manifesto –They hate the middle class (Bourgeoisies)

Italy switches sides That is so not fetch They will do this again in WWII

When WWI ends All blame is put on Germany –Guilt for starting war –Pay millions in damages to other countries –Reduced military –Lost land

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