1. World War I
Causes and Conflict

2. The four MAIN causes of WWI

3. Militarism:
The policy of glorifying military power and keeping an army mobilized (or ready for battle)
The build-up of military arms or ARMS RACE.
Why could this contribute to war?

4. Alliances:
A close association of nations ; nations agree to protect each other.
Why could this contribute to war?

5. Imperialism
Countries in Europe were all fighting for control over other areas.
Why could this contribute to war?

6. Nationalism Believing in the supremacy of your nation.
Why might this contribute to war?

7. Causes of World War 1 Worksheet
Step 1: Read the handout in front of you and take notes on the worksheet for:
What is the cause?, What is it? (definition), notes on the main events, and why did it lead to war?
Step 2: At your table group, share what you learned with your table group.
They will take notes from you.

8. Otto von Bismarck Used war to unite Germany and create a larger empire
Then wanted to maintain peace in Europe
Saw France as the biggest threat to Germany

9. Bismarck's plan
He decided to isolate France by allying with other countries
“As long as it is without allies, France poses no danger to us.”
1879: Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Italy joined. This was the TRIPLE ALLIANCE

10. Germany continues to make allies
In 1881, Bismarck made a treaty with Russia

11. Kaiser Wilhelm II New ruler of Germany
Forced Bismarck to resign
Wanted to show the world how mighty Germany was
Extremely proud of Germany’s army
“I and the army were born for one another”

12. Wilhelm's Actions Let the treaty with Russia lapse in 1890
Russia then formed an alliance with France in 1892
Why would this make any potential war particularly difficult for Germany?

13. The Triple Entente The Triple Alliance The Triple Entente Germany
In 1907, Britain allied with France and Russia
Now there were two sides:
The Triple Alliance
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Italy
The Triple Entente
Great Britain
France
Russia

14. Austro-Hungarian Franz Ferdinand was shot
The Spark
Austro-Hungarian Franz Ferdinand was shot
June 28, 1914
Austria used this as an excuse to punish Serbia
Austria declared war on Serbia

15. Russia, an ally of Serbia, mobilized its troops to defend Serbia
Russia gets involved…
Russia, an ally of Serbia, mobilized its troops to defend Serbia
Other countries – Italy, Germany – urged Austria and Russia to negotiate
But it was too late…

16. Everyone gets involved…
Russia expected that if they defended Serbia, Germany would defend Austria
Russia mobilized along the German border as well as along the Austrian border
Germany decided this was a declaration of war
Germany then declared war on Russia
1st Q: Alliances

17. Germany jumps in with both feet
Germany didn’t even wait to see if France would defend Russia
Instantly declared war on France as well
France was now in the war
Great Britain then joined as well

18. Battle lines were drawn
By August of 1914:
CENTRAL POWERS:
Germany
Austria-Hungary
ALLIED POWERS:
Great Britain
France
Russia
Japan joins…
Italy joined later.

19. Late Summer 1914 Soldiers marched off to war
Most people thought it would be a short war
Home by Christmas.

21. Making predictions with the map…
1. Why might Germany and Austria-Hungary have a particularly difficult time in this war?
2. In which countries was most of the war fought?
3. Why might the war last longer than people had anticipated? List two reasons.