1. The Great War

2. Causes of WWI, “The Great War”
M= A= N= I=

3. By the late 1800s, the industrialized European imperial states grew increasingly competitive over trade and colonies.

4. After 1900 there was a huge increase in the size of European armies, which increased tensions among nations. Between 1890 and 1914 European armies doubled in size.

5. Europe was divided into two great alliances:
1. The Triple Alliance (1882)- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
2. The Triple Entente (1907) - France, Great Britain, and Russia.

6. During the early 1900s, several political crises led to a great deal of anger and tension between the nations of the two alliances. Each nation was willing to go to war to preserve its power.

7. Furthermore, several European ethnic groups, such as the Slavs and the Irish, dreamed of creating their own national states, which also increased tensions in Europe.

9. Another source of strife in Europe was dissent within nations
Another source of strife in Europe was dissent within nations. As Socialist labor movements became more powerful, they used strikes to achieve their goals, which led to unrest.

10. Conservative national leaders feared that revolutions would break out
Conservative national leaders feared that revolutions would break out. These leaders may have been willing to go to war in order to suppress internal dissent.
“Till the world comes to an end the ultimate decision will rest with the sword.”
--Emperor William II of Germany

11. Southeastern Europe had long struggled for independence from the Ottoman Empire while
Russia and Austria-Hungary competed for control of the region.

12. In 1914, Serbia wanted to form a large Slavic state in the Balkans.
Serbia was supported by Russia and opposed by Austria-Hungary.

13. In June of 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife were killed by the Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip in the city of Sarajevo.

14. Austria-Hungary wanted to declare war on Serbia but was worried that Russia would come to Serbia’s aid.
Austrian leaders asked for help from its German allies. Emperor William II agreed to give Germany’s full support.
In July, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

15. Russia responded by mobilizing the Russian army.
Austria-Hungary and Germany considered that to be an act of war.
Germany declared war on Russia on August 1.
Austria-Hungary Empire in 1914

16. Russia and France were allies.
Germany had prepared to fight both countries.
The plan, called the Schlieffen Plan, was to defeat France first and then attack Russia with full force. Germany declared war on France on August 3.

17. The Germans demanded that Belgium — a neutral country — allow German armies to pass through on the way to France.

18. The violation of Belgian neutrality led Britain, who was allied with France and Russia, to declare war on Germany.
By August 4, World War I had begun.

20. Causes
M ilitarism
A lliances
N ationalism
I mperialism
A ssassination