1. U.S. Wars and Conflicts Ron Piper
Causes of WWI
U.S. Wars and Conflicts
Ron Piper

2. Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Economics
Significant individuals

3. Militarism 1. Germany was competing with the UK to build battleships.
The British feared an attack on their Empire

4. 1910-1914 Increase in Defense Expenditures
Militarism
When a nation’s armed forces come to dominate a country’s national policy
It is also a glorification of the military and war itself
Increase in Defense Expenditures
France
10%
Britain
13%
Russia
39%
Germany
73%

5. Militarism 2.
Germany was competing with Russia and France to expand their armies
Germany 1.3m 5.0m
France 0.73m 4.0m
Russia 0.40m 1.2m

6. Alliances Economically at first, were the alliances created.
Signed treaties in which each nation involved pledges to
defend the other if attacked by an aggressor
Basically, countries agreed to help each other monetarily or militarily.

7. Alliances Triple Entente: Triple Alliance: Germany Great Britain
France
Austria-Hungary
Russia
Italy

8. 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.

9. Imperialism
Domination by one country over the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region
Due to the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s, some European nations had a large portion of the world under their control

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

11. Imperialism and Colonial Rivalries
After 1870, the European nations began to acquire colonies in Asia, Africa and the Pacific
Colonial rivalry led to:
strained relations among the European powers. In Africa, all the European powers except Austria and Russia had colonies there. Thus there were many clashes among France, Britain, Germany and Italy.
the formation and strengthening of alliances and ententes. (indirectly)
an intensification of the arms race.
much hostility among the powers.

13. Nationalism Pride and patriotism in one’s nation
In terms of WWI, nationalism became aggressive and subsequently (because of this) a major cause of international tension
Independent nations desired dominance and prestige and as these powers tried to dominate each other in Europe, their rivalries may be regarded as one of the causes of the First World War

14. Nationalism cont.
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

15. Nationalism cont. Kaiser Wilhelm II Built up German army and navy
Aggressive foreign policy
Determined to make Germany a top nation.
Distrusted by other powers
“Germany must have its place in the sun”
“The world belongs to the strong.”
defend the other if attacked by an aggressor
Basically, countries agreed to help each other

16. Economics The Triple Entente The Triple Alliance
Colonialism and Imperialism
Germany left out
Allies:
November Pop/Mil $ billion $ per capita
UK, France, and Russia ,382 
Central Powers:
Germany and Austria ,489

17. Assassination The “spark” that started WWI
On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austria Hungarian Throne was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist who believed that Bosnia should belong to Serbia

18. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie at Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914

19. Gavrilo Princip after his assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand

21. Significant Individuals 1
Count Berchtold
Austrian Prime Minister.
During the July Crisis, decided on a very tough ultimatum for Serbia
“Were the Serbs to agree to all the demands, this would not be to my liking”

22. Significant Individuals 2
Bethmann Hollweg
German Prime Minister
Gave very strong support to Austria during the July crisis while Kaiser was cruising on his yacht
“The Austrian demands are moderate. Any interference by Britain, France and Russia would be followed by incalculable consequences”

23. The Crisis 1.
28 June 1914
Heir to Austrian throne Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo.
Capital of Bosnia, recently grabbed by Austria.
Hotbed of Slav nationalism
Seal of the Black Hand group

24. The Crisis 2. “Black Hand” terrorists attack the Arch Duke
Bomb attempt fails in morning
Gavrilo Princip shoots Archduke and wife in the afternoon.
Austrians blame Serbia for supporting terrorists.

25. The Crisis 3.
Austrians, supported by Germany, send Serbia a tough ultimatum.
Serbia agrees to all but two terms of the ultimatum.
Russia mobilises her troops to support Serbia
Germany demands that Russia stands her armies down.
Germany declares war on Russia
“Demands must be put to Serbia that would be wholly impossible for them to accept …”

26. Why did Britain get involved?
Britain had Ententes with France and Russia.
Only “friendly agreements” but French and Russians given impression Britain would fight.
The Schlieffen Plan
Sir Edward Grey
British Foreign Secretary … “There’s some devilry going on in Berlin”

27. The Schlieffen Plan
Germany’s military plan to defeat France and Russia.
“Knock out blow” aimed at France first.
Avoid French defences by invasion of Belgium.
Germans thought Britain would not intervene.

28. The Point of No Return
Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand’s death and declared war on Serbia.
Germany pledged their support for Austria -Hungary.
Russia pledged their support for Serbia.

29. Germany declares war on Russia
France pledges their support for Russia
Germany declares war on France
Germany invades Belgium on the way to France
Great Britain supports Belgium and declares war on Germany

30. Allied Powers:
Central Powers:
Great Britain
Germany
World War I
France
Austria-Hungary
Russia
Ottoman Empire
Italy

31. Britain’s Reaction 1838- UK had signed a Treaty to protect Belgium.
Britain also scared of Germany controlling Channel ports.
Did not want Germany to defeat France and dominate Europe. Britain next?
UK issued ultimatum to Germany to withdraw troops from Belgium. War declared August