1. Why did World War I start???
A world war doesn’t just come out of no where.

2. There were 4 M.A.I.N. causes for World War I

3. Militarism The belief that building up your military= power
As countries built up their military, other countries built up their military for protection.
This resulted in many countries having big militaries and lots of weapons

4. Alliances Agreements or promises to work and defend another country
France, Russia,
Great Britain formed
an alliance
Austria-Hungary, Italy,
and Germany formed
another alliance

5. Imperialism
Building up your empire by obtaining colonies.

6. Nationalism
Having pride in your country- and willing to defend it.

7. Let’s Review The M.A.I.N. causes of World War I… Militarism Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Just because these 4 conditions existed, war didn’t automatically break out…

8. Europe was like a bomb ready to explode
All it needed was a spark…

9. The spark…
A person from Serbia assassinated two members of the royal family from Austria Hungary!
Austria- Hungary
declared war on Serbia

10. Because of alliances- other countries joined war
Because of militarism- the other countries had fully built up militaries and lots of weapons ready to go
Because of Nationalism- citizens wanted to fight for their country and defeat others
Because of Imperialism- countries were already competitive.