1. The MAIN Causes The “Powderkeg” The “Spark”
Causes of World War One
The MAIN Causes
The “Powderkeg”
The “Spark”

2. The MAIN Causes
Militarism- The rapid build-up of modern weaponry (arms race), large standing armies & navies between and among European powers
Alliances- Secret agreements between powers to defend economic, political or nationalistic interests
Imperialism- the growth, development and defense of land and overseas empires
Nationalism- strong pride in one’s own homeland that led to associations between powers based on similar cultures, languages, heritages and interests

3. Alliances Before WWI

4. Alliances after WWI breaks out(July, 1914)

5. The Powder Keg
The Balkan Peninsula is considered the “powder keg” of Europe due to the diverse and often conflicting peoples living there
The peoples of the Balkans are separated by mountainous terrain, differing religions and ethnic tensions. Add Imperialistic rivalry between the shrinking Ottoman Empire and the growing
Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empire and you have an explosive mixture.

6. The Spark
The assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo by members of the Serbian terrorist group “The Black Hand” sparked a series of responses between European powers that led to a declaration of war between almost all of the world’s superpowers of the time.

7. Mapping World War One The Western Front The Eastern Front Alliances
Changes during & post-WWI
Mandates after the Treaty of Versailles
Effects on the Colonies
Middle East Mandates

8. Alliances During WWI
Why are A-H, the Ottomans & Germany called the “Central Powers?
What is Germany’s main geographic
issue during the war?

9. Notice how little the Western front moves over 3 years, explain why this is the case

10. The Eastern Front
Based on the sheer size of the Eastern Front, explain why it was such a problem for both Germany & Russia.

11. Who created the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany
Who created the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany? Why did Germany gain so much territory? What was the deal made between them?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The Western Front

12. Effects of WWI on World Geography
Europe
Africa
The Middle East
Mandates

13. Note the new nations created in the box above.
Which Empires lost territory due to the war?

14. Changes in the map of Europe after WWI
What happened to Austria-Hungary & the Ottoman Empire?
What did Russia lose?
What happened to Serbia?
Why is Poland & East Prussia a potential future problem?

15. Europe Before & After WWI

16. Significance of Geographical Changes Due to WWI
Examine the maps on the previous page and answer the following questions.
1. What happened on the German/French border? Why is this a possible issue for the future? Has it been an issue in the past? When/why?
2. What former countries/territories did Yugoslavia absorb? Evaluate the formation of Yugoslavia based on what you know about the Balkan Peninsula; is Yugoslavia a good idea? Why/why not?

17. How Many “New” Countries Were Made After WWI?

18. Significance of Geographical Changes Due to WWI
Examine the maps on the previous page and answer the following questions.
1. Compare & contrast the two maps. How many “new” countries were formed after WWI? Which ones are “new”?
2. Note how many countries gained territory from Germany, is this a possible issue for the future? How/Why/ why not?
3. Note that most Arab lands are placed under British or French mandates, how/why could this become a future issue? (*hint* think about the Balfour Declaration & its possible outcomes)

19. What Happened to Germany’s Colonies in Africa?

20. Colonial Mandates in the Middle East Following WWI
What happened to the Ottoman Empire?
Who controls Palestine?

21. Trouble in Palestine: Is this still the case today
Trouble in Palestine: Is this still the case today? What are the roots of this issue? (*hint* look back 4 maps)