1. World War I An Introduction

2. Europe in 1900 30-years of relative PEACE Many felt progress was made and war was no longer necessary Large industrialized countries competing economically

3. World War I Summary When: 1914-18 Primary countries involved: –Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia, USA, Italy –Central Powers: Germany, Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary End Result: –9.0 million people died –23 million injured –Europe economically devastated –Peace treaty left Europe politically unstable

4. M.A.I.N. Militarism Alliances Imperialism Nationalism 4 Primary Causes of World War I

5. MILITARISM In the 1890’s a European “arms race” developed Countries felt they needed large standing armies –increased patriotism and prestige of a country What is Ironic about this statement? “The entire able-bodied population are preparing to massacre one another; though no one, it is true, wants to attack, and everybody protest his love of peace” …It only requires some unforeseen incident….to blow all of Europe sky-high” Frederic Passy 1895

6. ALLIANCES Growing rivalries had led to many alliances Irony: The alliance system in Europe was designed to “keep the peace”

7. IMPERIALISM Europe competes for colonies in Africa & Asia Produced tension between European powers –especially between Germany & France

8. NATIONALISM People become very Loyal to their Country Perhaps “loyal to a fault” citizens

9. Otto von Bismarck Unified Germany through War (1 864-71) Defeated France in Franco-Prussian War (1870) Wanted peace but Felt France wanted “revenge” Attempted to isolate France through alliances German Chancellor 1864-1890 “As long as it is without allies…France poses no danger to us” Bismarck 1887

10. Bismarck forms Triple Alliance 1882 Included: Germany Austria-Hungary Italy Bismarck later forms an alliance with Russia Designed to “protect” Germany from France

11. Journal #1 Label this Journal #1 in your notebook Explain why Europe was relatively unstable in the years before World War I and what Otto von Bismarck feared.