1. World War I
Causes of World War I

2. Causes of World War I
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism

3. Imperialism European powers competed for colonies in Africa and Asia
Competition for colonies lead to conflict

4. Militarism
European countries needed strong armies and navies to defend their empires
Arms race  European countries competed with one another to see which one could have the best army and navy

5. Alliances
European powers decided to protect themselves by forming alliances (nations signed treaties pledging to defend each other)
Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire)
Allies (France, Britain, and Russia)

6. Nationalism Two meanings Love of one’s country
Desire for a homeland (country for people of the same ethnic background – Ireland for the Irish)

7. Nationalism
Pan Salvism All Slavic peoples shared a common nationality.
Russia (largest Slavic country)
had an obligation to lead all Slavs
Serbia (Slavic nation) in Eastern Europe, it used to be part of the Ottoman Empire.
Crisis in the Balkans

8. Crisis in the Balkans
Austria-Hungary was a very diverse empire (many ethnic groups resided in Austria-Hungary)
Serbia wanted to create a South Slav State  Serbs living in Austria-Hungary should be part of this South Slav State

9. Balkans

10. Austria-Hungary

11. The Spark – Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (Austria-Hungary) – June 28, 1914
Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were visiting Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia  home to many Serbs), which was part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire
Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand (terrorist group whose goal was to create a South Slav State), assassinated Archduke Ferdinand and his wife

12. Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia – July 28, 1914
Following the assassination, Austria-Hungary sent Serbia an ultimatum
Serbia would not allow Austria-Hungarian officials to investigate the assassination  Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
Germany supported Austria-Hungary

13. Declarations of War
July 30, 1914 – Russia mobilizes (prepares) for war in support Serbia
August 1, 1914 – Germany declares war on Russia
August 3, 1914 – Germany declares war on France
Germany asks France to stay out because it does not want to fight a      two     front war
France says no Germany declares war on France

14. Declaration of War
August 4, 1914 – Germany invades Belgium (neutral nation) to get to France
August 4, 1914 – Great Britain declares war on Germany
August 12, Great Britain declares war on Austria-Hungary

15. Europe in 1914