2. The Great War Begins Main Idea
Europe in 1914 was on the brink of war. After an assassination, the nations of Europe were drawn one by one into what would be called the Great War, or World War I.

5. Europe on the Brink of War
Rising tensions in Europe, 1914
Tensions result of four factors
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism

6. Europe on the Brink of War
Massive military buildup in Europe
Wanted to protect overseas colonies from other nations
Large Military = Wars
Minor disagreements had potential to turn to armed conflict
Militarism
Nations formed partnerships to protect against opposing forces
Triple Alliance- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
Triple Entente- Great Britain France, Russia, Serbia
Belief no nation would attack another
Alliances

7. Europe on the Brink of War
Nations wanted to build empires
Created rivalries
Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain vied to become great imperial nations
Each did not want others to gain power
Imperialism
Strong devotion to one’s national group or culture
Led to revolts and struggles for power
Most visible in Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe
Home to many ethnic groups trying to break free from Ottoman Empire
Nationalism

8. Europe on the Brink of War
Some of strongest nationalist tensions in Balkans in Serbia, independent nation
Serbian leaders wanted to expand borders, unite people in “greater Serbia”
Austria-Hungary opposed expansion
Feared growth might encourage ethnic groups there to rebel
Tensions continued to rise between nations

9. War Breaks Out The Impact Fighting Begins
In the midst of the tensions with Serbia, archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary decided to visit the Bosnian city of Sarajevo.
Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinated archduke & wife
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
Russia prepared to support Serbia
Austria-Hungary ally Germany saw Russia as threat
Germany declared war on Russia and France
The Impact
Germany faced war on two fronts: Russia to east, France to west
Decided to strike France quickly then move to Russia
Began with quick strike into neutral Belgium
Attack on neutral country led Great Britain to declare war on Germany
Fighting Begins

10. Main players in World War I in place
War Breaks Out
Main players in World War I in place
Central Powers
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Allied Powers
Great Britain
France
Russia
Serbia

11. Fighting in 1914 Germany’s plan Early battles Russia enters fighting
Germany wanted to quickly defeat France, move east to fight Russia
Great Britain’s declaration of war on Germany doomed its plan
The Great War became bloody stalemate
Early battles
Battle of the Frontiers pitted German troops against both French and British
Both sides suffered heavy losses
Germany victorious
Russia enters fighting
Russia attacked German territory from the east
Russians defeated in Battle of Tannenberg
Germany distracted from France, Allies turned on German invaders

12. Fighting in 1914 Trench warfare begins
Allied troops drove Germans back, Battle of the Marne, September 1914
Retreating Germans dug series of trenches along Aisne River
Waited in trenches for Allied attack
Trenches elaborately constructed, cleverly concealed
Allies dug trenches of their own
Major battles for months with little change in positions
Deadlocked region became known as Western Front

13. Trench Warfare