1. Causes of World War I
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
(MAIN)

2. Europeans had tried to keep the balance of power established by the Congress of Vienna after the defeat of Napoleon.
However, a minor incident in the Balkans led to a tragic conflagration.

3. Triple Entente:
Britain
France
Russia
Triple Alliance:
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Alliances before the start of World War I

4. The “spark that ignited the powder keg” was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
This event on June 28, 1914 triggered the alliance system.

5. Also, note that Italy switched sides when the war began.
Alliances during World War I
Allies:
Britain
France
Russia
Central Powers:
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
But Russia will exit the war in 1917 due to a Bolshevik Revolution and Lenin’s promise
of “Bread, Peace, and Land” and the United States will enter the war in 1917 to make
the world safe for democracy on the side The Allies.
Also, note that Italy switched sides when the war began.

6. Four Miserable Years (1914-1918)
Mocking the ideals of the Enlightenment

7. The Western Front
Stalemate and Trench Warfare

8. The Eastern Front Ill-prepared Russians losing battle after battle
Russia is not fully industrialized at this time

9. The War Ends But Without a Lasting Peace
The Treaty of Versailles paves the way to a Second World War
-Germany is blamed for the war
(War Guilt Clause)
- Germany loses its colonies
- Germany is forced to pay reparations

10. When Depression Hits (1929)

11. Fascism
-Extreme Nationalism
-Anti-Individual
-Supremacy of State over Individual
-Anti-Liberal
-Anti-Feminist
-Anti-Democratic
-Anti-Communist

12. Another War, Another Tragedy, the End of Europe’s Illusion of Superiority
A Moral Collapse