1. World War I

2. World War I Several names: WWI The Great War The War to End All Wars
The Trench War
The Imperialist War

3. WWI
Known as a “world war” because fighting was literally occurring all over the world due to colonization and imperialism
By the end, over 100 countries would be involved in some way
The world had never seen a war as large or as devastating as World War I would be

4. Causes Reasons that brought about WWI: Competition Imperialism
Europeans competing with each other in almost every way possible (economically, militarily, etc.)
Imperialism
Conflict over foreign territories and resources
Militarism
Resources devoted to military use, glorification of war, arms races
Alliances
Crazy system of alliances between the major powers of Europe

5. Causes
5. Nationalism
The driving force behind the majority of the other causes, German unification
Recent territory vacated by the Ottoman Empire in the Balkan Peninsula (Serbia and Slavs) becomes increasingly nationalistic

6. The Spark
Serbian nationalists become increasingly frustrated with Austria’s continued push to have a SPHERE OF INFLUENCE over Serbia
June 28, 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist
In response, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia

8. So It Begins…
Less than a month after the assassination, Austria declares war on Serbia
Countries all over Europe declare war on each other to honor their alliances
Triple Entente – Britain, France, and Russia
Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

9. Domino Effect Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Russia enters the war to declare war on Austria and defend its Serbian allies
Germany enters to aid Austria
Germany invades France, who is allied with Russia
Britain enters to defend its French allies
Confused?

10. The Powers Allied Powers – Britain, France, and Russia
Central Powers – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Italy

11. The Start The Central Powers are quickly caught in a two-front war
Squeezed between two battle lines with the enemy on each side
Eastern Front – fighting Russia
Western Front – fighting Britain and France

12. Propaganda

13. Propaganda