1. Mr. Meester World History
World War I: The Causes
Mr. Meester
World History

2. Vocabulary Balance of Powers Triple Alliance Triple Entente
Militarism/Arms Race
Pan-Slavism
Alsace-Lorraine
Archduke Ferdinand
The Black Hand

3. The Balance of Power Germany was a new power in Europe
England and France both made treaties with Russia to try stay ahead of Germany
Germany made treaties with Italy and Austria-Hungary
These alliances were created in hope that no one would dare attack
No one could be sure of winning
The power was balanced

4. Alliance System Two large alliances emerged
The Triple Alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy
The Triple Entente
France, England, & Russia
These 2 alliances divided up most of countries in Europe.
The result was “Two Armed Camps”

5. Balance of Powers

6. Militarism & the Arms Race
Both alliances use militarism to glorify and build up their armed forces.
An arms race begins creating new weapons
Machine guns, mustard gas, tanks, airplanes, submarines, and zeppelins.
Britain & Germany begin a competition to build the biggest navy.
Competition causes tensions to rise.

7. Nationalism creates a “Powder Keg”
Aggressive Nationalism at home and overseas causes tension to skyrocket
Imperial competition for colonies goes up nearly causing war
Russia sponsor's Pan-Slavism
Vows to protect all Slavic peoples around the world
Austria-Hungary & Ottoman Empires feel threatened by nationalist revolts
France wanted Alsace-Lorraine back from Germany

8. The Powder Keg Explodes
Serbia, a small Slavic country, wanted Austria-Hungary to grant Bosnia, another Slavic area, its independence.
The Archduke Ferdinand was visiting Bosnia trying to improve relations
He’s assassinated by the “Black Hand”
Serbian Terrorists
Austria-Hungary made ridiculous demands that Serbia couldn’t agree to.
Serbia declined & Austria declared war.

9. The Domino Effect Serbia is attacked by Austria-Hungary
Russia defends Serbia and declares war
Germany supports its ally, declares war on Russia and Serbia for supporting terrorism
France (allied to Russia) declares war on Germany
Wants to regain lost territory
Germany invades Belgium (Neutral Nation) to get to France
England (allied to France & Russia) declares war because they are outraged by German aggression

10. Causes & Results Main Causes
Alliance System & the Balance of Power
Aggressive Nationalism
Militarism & the Arms Race
The “Flashpoint” (event that starts the war)
Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
The Result
Almost all the nations in Europe & their colonies around the war are sucked into war