1. Causes of World War I = “M.A.N.I.A.”
The Great War
Causes of World War I =
“M.A.N.I.A.”

2. Late 19th Century Europe

3. Militarism Aggressive attitude led to European arms race
Britain a had large, powerful navy to protect its colonies
Germany began to build a large navy to compete with Britain
Military spending increased by 300% in Europe!
Conscription (draft) adopted by all European powers
Belief that an army was necessary to maintain power
Created strategies for quick mobilization

4. Alliances Alliances were formed for protection, but led to aggression
Germany
Wanted to isolate France
Led by Otto von Bismarck
Dual Alliance (1879) – Germany and Austria-Hungary
Triple Alliance (1882) – Italy joins Dual Alliance
German Treaty with Russia (Russia and Austria-Hungary are rivals)
Wilhelm II (1888)
Becomes Kaiser and forces Bismarck out
Let Russian treaty lapse

5. Alliances
After the Treaty lapsed, Russia and France were now alone in Europe against an alliance of Germany, Austria, and Italy
So in 1894, they formed the Dual Entente
Britain had tried to keep out of European affairs
But with Russia and France forming an alliance, Britain saw a need to set aside differences with them and forms an alliance called the Triple Entente
After some territorial disputes, Italy deserted Germany and backed France
From this point on, Germany claims Austria is its one true ally

6. Alliances Prior to World War I
Triple Alliance
Triple Entente
Germany
Great Britain
Austria-Hungary
France
Italy (will later switch sides!)
Russia

7. Nationalism Both a unifying and dividing force Territorial disputes
Had led to Germany’s unification as well as Italy’s
Will cause the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary
Territorial disputes
Alsace-Lorraine (Germany and France)
The Balkans (Russian and Austria-Hungary) = “The Powder Keg of Europe”
Many different ethnic groups in one place = variety of nationalism
Turkey, Russia, and Austria-Hungary all had interests there
These combined meant that ONE thing could spark a war!

8. Alsace-Lorraine (Germany and France)

9. Decline of the Ottoman Empire
New Nations Emerge
Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia gain independence
Serbian Independence
Large Slavic population
Wanted to add Slavic land in the Balkan peninsula
Russia supports Serbian Nationalism due to common Orthodox religion
Austria-Hungary fears rebellion of Slavic population
Both seek power after collapse of the Ottomans
Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908

11. Imperialism
Competition for colonies in Africa and Asia to strengthen the political and economic power of the mother country
This created an atmosphere of rivalry and mistrust

12. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – June 28, 1914
Heir to Austrian throne
Killed by a Serbian nationalist

13. Assassination

14. Crisis in the Balkans

15. The Final Steps towards War
After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand:
Germany supports Austria against Serbia
Austria presents ultimatum to Serbia
End all anti-Austrian activity (propaganda, etc.)
Austrian officials should be allowed into Serbia to investigate assassinations
Ultimatum not accepted
Austria declares war on Serbia
Russia mobilizes troops to Austrian border

16. Chain Reaction The machinery of war was in motion
Russia also mobilizes troops to German border
Germany declares war on Russia and France
Schlieffen Plan = Germany’s plan to fight France in the west first then return to fight Russia in the east
Depended on marching through Belgium
Belgians refused to allow Germans through
Germany invades Belgium
Britain declares war on Germany due to their close ties with Belgium

17. Schlieffen Plan

18. Sides at the start of the War
Central Powers
Allies
Germany
Great Britain
Austria-Hungary
France
Bulgaria
Russia
Ottoman Empire
Japan
Italy